BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — Pennsylvania will see a burst of new state economic development initiatives, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced during a Tuesday visit to Bethlehem Township.
Shapiro laid out a new plan to spur investment and economic growth in the Commonwealth during a visit to health sciences company OraSure Technologies.
Speaking alongside members of his cabinet and Lehigh Valley elected officials, Shapiro walked through the 10-year economic development strategy — the state’s first in two decades.
“This is a region on the rise, and it is all because you all have put together a plan here in the Lehigh Valley and you have consistently stayed true to it and executed every step of the way."Gov. Josh Shapiro
“This is a region on the rise, and it is all because you all have put together a plan here in the Lehigh Valley and you have consistently stayed true to it and executed every step of the way,” Shapiro said.
“Pennsylvania is ready for a targeted strategy going forward — one that creates real economic opportunity for all, one that seizes on our strengths in Pennsylvania, one that finally recognizes that we need to invest if you want to compete nationally and internationally.”
In his remarks, Shapiro painted a picture of a state economy with immense potential, but that falls near the back of the pack in key measures compared with other states.
“It's important to note that we are still not in the Top 10 states for doing business,” Shapiro said. The state now is ranked 15th.
“And when it comes to job creation, well, let's be frank, Pennsylvania is even further behind,” he said, with the state in 41st place.
A dozen new and expanded policies
Meanwhile, Shapiro bemoaned that neighboring states spend vastly more than Pennsylvania does on economic development incentives. Ohio spends seven times as much, despite a smaller population, he said.
To reverse that, the plan released Tuesday lays out more than a dozen new and expanded policies to ease site construction, fund business development, speed the regulatory and approval process, spur innovation, attract employers and support communities and the workforce.
The plan also identifies existing efforts that could benefit from additional money, such as workforce training and apprenticeship programs, the state’s higher education system and the PA SITES program.Gov. Josh Shapiro
The plan prioritizes resources to support five industries in which the Shapiro administration believes Pa. is uniquely poised to compete: agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing and technology.
Specific policy interventions call for a new list of state-certified, shovel-ready building sites, permitting reforms, workforce development programs and competitions for startup companies looking to solve “complex and persistent problems.”
Also, a database connecting Pennsylvania suppliers and buyers to keep supply chains in the commonwealth, and a “regional hubs challenge” offering competitive funding for regional economic development planning, among others, Shapiro said.
The plan also identifies existing efforts that could benefit from additional money, such as workforce training and apprenticeship programs, the state’s higher education system and the PA SITES program, which funds industrial and other site development projects.
New website, marketing campaign
Along with the policy framework, the Shapiro administration launched a new website and marketing campaign Tuesday called Pennsylvania Gets it Done.
It's aimed at drawing businesses looking to relocate or expand to the state.
“Here in the Lehigh Valley… you have brought together labor and business, you've brought together politicians of both parties. You've got the federal, state and local leadership all working in harmony, all working in unison."Gov. Josh Shapiro
Taken together, the initiatives are sure to cost tens of millions of dollars, though Shapiro did not provide an exact figure Tuesday.
Specific spending levels will come next week, when Shapiro presents his proposed 2024-25 budget proposal in Harrisburg.
Throughout the process, Shapiro said, the Lehigh Valley can serve as a model of successful economic development.
“Here in the Lehigh Valley… you have brought together labor and business, you've brought together politicians of both parties," he said.
"You've got the federal, state and local leadership all working in harmony, all working in unison.
“And while there may be, you know, temporary moments of disagreement, the reality is… there's been a plan in place, you're executing and you're all driving in the same direction.”
