In Northumberland County, Governor Shapiro Announces $5.7 Million Investment to Build New Pad-Ready Site, Boost Pennsylvania’s Economic Competitiveness

The Shapiro Administration is investing in the Commonwealth's economic competitiveness, awarding a $5.7 million PA SITES grant for the development of a pad-ready site in Northumberland County.

The funding will be used to install water infrastructure, relocate utility poles, and prepare a pad-ready site to attract new businesses to the area, creating jobs and real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has secured $40.4 billion in private sector investments and created more than 22,400 new jobs.

Point Township, PA -  Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined DRIVE Industry, Focus Central Pennsylvania, and local leaders to announce a $5.7 million investment into the development of a new pad-ready site to help attract businesses to Northumberland County, through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) program.

DRIVE Industry, a local economic development entity serving Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties in Central Pennsylvania, will use funding from the Shapiro Administration for construction, engineering, and administrative costs to support the development of more than 100 acres for the Point Township Industrial Site.

"From day one, I've worked hard to make Pennsylvania a national leader on economic development, to attract new businesses, create jobs, and expand economic opportunity not just in our cities - but in our rural and suburban communities, as well. Developing this new site is the next step in growing this region's economy and ensuring more Pennsylvanians are given real opportunities to chart their own course," said Governor Shapiro. "Pennsylvania is on the rise - we're going to continue driving out these dollars and turning dirt into jobs and economic opportunity."

DRIVE has already invested $4 million to acquire the over-100 acre plot, and will complete the required earthwork, grading, relocation of utility poles, installation of a 125,000-gallon water tank, and conduct the required studies for environmental permitting for an on-lot septic system - as the land currently lacks access to public water and sewer.

"Through Governor Shapiro's PA SITES program, we are catalyzing new business investment across Pennsylvania by making sure companies have sites and infrastructure ready to go to meet their needs," said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. "This site offers a strategic location and a highly skilled workforce-characteristics that make it very attractive to businesses looking to grow in Pennsylvania. We will continue to make investments that create more good-paying jobs, improve quality of life, and strengthen our economy for years to come."

Once complete, Point Township Industrial Site will be pad-ready for manufacturing or industrial development and serve to attract new employers, expand economic opportunity, and create new jobs for Pennsylvanians.

"This investment by the Commonwealth is a game changer for this property. Ready sites translate into capital investment which creates jobs and builds regional prosperity," said Jennifer Wakeman, Executive Director of DRIVE Industry. "The PA SITES funds are exactly what we need to bring this site to its full potential."

To date, DRIVE has attracted approximately $100 million in private capital investment to the Central Pennsylvania region - and today's announcement will lead to more opportunity for Pennsylvanians in Northumberland County.

"Today's PA SITES award for the Point Township Industrial Site is more than a grant - it's a bold investment in Central Pennsylvania's future," said Lauren Bryson, Executive Director of Focus Central Pennsylvania. "By transforming this 101-acre, industrial zoned, rail-served property into a pad-ready site, DRIVE is removing risk, accelerating timelines, and creating the certainty today's manufacturers demand. In a global marketplace, ready sites win projects - and this investment positions our region to compete for high-quality, high-impact opportunities that will shape the next chapter of American industry."

Shapiro Administration's Progress to Grow Pennsylvania's Workforce and Strengthen the Economy

The Shapiro Administration is building on three years of momentum, investing in long-term economic growth, and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win. The Governor's 2026-27 budget proposal increases funding for innovation in the areas of opportunity laid out in Pennsylvania's economic development strategy - including life sciences, robotics and technology, energy, and manufacturing.

• The PA First Program, which connects businesses with trained workers and supports job retention and capital investments, will receive an additional $10 million for a total of $38 million in this budget.
• Innovate in PA 2.0: Back in 2013 under a Republican Governor, Pennsylvania launched the Innovation fund. Building off of that legacy, this budget creates the Innovate in PA 2.0 program to deploy nearly $100 million into the state's innovation economy. Innovate in PA 2.0 would provide capital for promising startups - following in the footsteps of companies like Gecko Robotics in Pittsburgh or Gilson Snow in Selinsgrove - fund clinical trials for the life sciences, and develop a workforce and education pipeline to help these companies succeed.

Pennsylvania's Business Climate and Growing Economy is Earning National Recognition

From day one, Governor Shapiro has worked to spur economic development through historic investments in site development, main streets, small businesses, and workforce development, while cutting red tape and streamlining permitting and licensing. Now, Pennsylvania's competing - and winning.

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured over $40.4 billion in private-sector investments, creating more than 22,400 good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth:

• Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, based on analysis done by Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi.
• Area Development ranked Pennsylvania among the top 20 "Best States for Business" - the only Northeastern state to make the list - and placed the Commonwealth in the top 10 for "Site Readiness Programs."
• Site Selection Magazine named Pennsylvania one of the top business climates in the nation.
• Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Pennsylvania ranks among the top states in the nation for five-year new business survival.

In every corner of the Commonwealth, businesses are expanding and creating real opportunities for Pennsylvanians - from Johnson & Johnson in Montgomery County, Eli Lilly in Lehigh County, Eurofins in Lancaster County, Calgon Carbon Corporation in Pittsburgh, Farm Plast in Lycoming County, to Eos in Allegheny County, Nichols Portland in Elk County, Imperial Systems in Mercer County, Qualex in Venango County, and Tate in York County.

Learn more about how the Shapiro Administration is leading on economic development to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

Watch the Governor's full budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate and read the Governor's full remarks as prepared for delivery.

Read the Governor's 2026-27 proposed budget in brief.

For more information about the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT: Governor's Press Office: [email protected]