Pennsylvania Invests $39M in New Funding to Develop 'Shovel-Ready' Sites

KEY POINTS

• Pennsylvania is investing over $39 million through the PA SITES program to develop 11 shovel-ready industrial sites and boost economic competitiveness.

• The grant program has allocated $113.6 million to 29 projects, transforming underused properties into commercial and industrial hubs with improved infrastructure.

• By developing shovel-ready sites, Pennsylvania aims to attract business investments, stimulate construction, and create long-term job opportunities across the state.

Pennsylvania is directing over $39 million in new funding toward developing shovel-ready industrial sites across the state. On October 8, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the second round of awards for the PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) program, targeting 11 projects aimed at attracting business investment and stimulating economic growth in Pennsylvania.

This latest investment is part of a broader economic development strategy designed to make the Commonwealth more competitive. The Shapiro Administration has secured a total of $500 million for site development, with $400 million specifically allocated for the PA SITES program.

According to the Office of the Governor, the program has now invested $113.6 million into 29 projects, including this new round. The program aims to transform underused and undeveloped properties into viable commercial and industrial locations. 

Strategic Investments to Reduce Time to Construction

The PA SITES program was established to address a shortage of readily available sites for companies looking to expand or relocate. By funding site preparation, infrastructure improvements, and environmental remediation, and thus transforming the sites to ‘shovel-ready’, the state aims to reduce the time and cost for businesses to begin construction. 

Key Projects Funded by the PA SITES Program

The $39 million investment targets projects in several Pennsylvania counties:

• Lackawanna County: $6 million for Century Development Associates to transform a 230-acre former coal mine into two shovel-ready manufacturing or logistics sites.
• Allegheny County: $6 million for Nichol Avenue McKees Rocks LLC to advance redevelopment of a 72-acre brownfield site into a logistics park in Stowe Township.
• Luzerne County: $8 million to 289 MQOF LLC for initial site preparation and infrastructure at the 685-acre CrossRoads East Business Park, supporting 15 planned buildings.
• Crawford County: $8.5 million to the Economic Progress Alliance for demolition, remediation, and new construction at the Crawford Business Park in Vernon Township.
• Washington County: $7.7 million (including a $2.5 million loan) for Imperial Land Corporation to expand the Fort Cherry Development District with new roadways and utilities.

Other funded projects include:

• Lebanon County: A $2 million grant to Allen Distribution Corporation for utility extensions and transportation improvements at the Myerstown Light Industrial Site.
• York County: A $457,184 grant to Yazoo Mills, Inc., for roadway construction to support a new 106,250-square-foot manufacturing facility in Penn Township.
• Berks County: A $250,000 grant to the City of Reading for a real estate plan for the 50-acre vacant Dana brownfield site.
• Bucks County: A $150,000 grant to the Bucks County Industrial Development Authority for a feasibility study for a new lab and office building near the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center.
• Erie County: A $121,740 grant to the Enterprise Development Center of Erie County for planning and design services for a 160-acre site in the McKean Business Park.
• Philadelphia: A $250,000 grant to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) for analysis and site planning at the Lower Schuylkill Innovation Campus.

Construction in Pennsylvania

By funding shovel-ready sites, Pennsylvania aims to capture a larger share of national and international business, possibly leading to sustained construction activity and long-term job creation.

As these projects move forward, they are expected to help generate bidding opportunities and contribute to economic growth in Pennsylvania. 

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