Shapiro unveils 10-year strategic plan to grow Pa.’s economy
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Jan. 30, 2023) --- Ben Franklin Technology Partners today issued the following statement after Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his 10-year economic development plan to chart a path forward to strong economic growth, jobs, and innovation.
“States that invest in innovation will secure the jobs of tomorrow, attract the best talent, and realize sustained economic growth,” said Ryan Glenn, Ben Franklin’s Director of Statewide Initiatives. “For over four decades, Ben Franklin has been investing in and linking early-stage technology firms and established manufacturers with experts, universities, follow-on funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. Those investments have paid huge dividends for our commonwealth. We’re eager to work with this administration and the General Assembly to write the next chapter in Pennsylvania’s economic story.”
Shapiro’s “Pennsylvania Economic Development Strategy” will focus on five sectors, including agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and robotics and technology, and include several new initiatives. Among the goals are investing in economic growth to compete, continuing to make government work at the speed of business, opening doors of opportunity to all Pennsylvanians, innovating to win, and building vibrant and resilient regions.
Shapiro unveiled his plan today in Bethlehem at OraSure Technologies, a global life sciences manufacturing company. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania was an early investor in OraSure and present at the governor’s event.
The governor also cited Ben Franklin in his final report, which is available HERE.
Ben Franklin, one of the most widely known and emulated state technology-based economic development programs in the nation, serves all 67 counties through four regionally based centers in Pittsburgh, State College, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia, with several satellite offices spread across the state.
Since its inception more than 40 years ago, Ben Franklin has now boosted the state economy by more than $30 billion, generating more than 58,000 jobs in client firms, plus an additional 101,000 spinoff positions, for a total of 159,000 new jobs that otherwise would never have existed. According to an independent analysis, every dollar invested by the commonwealth into Ben Franklin generates $4 in additional state taxes.
For more information, visit www.benfranklin.org.
Media Contact: Ryan Glenn, P: 717-948-4317