Statewide initiative pledges support to help administration build out innovation economy
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Jan. 12, 2023) --- Ben Franklin Technology Partners, one of the most widely known and emulated state technology-based economic development programs in the nation, today issued the following statement after Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro appointed Rick Siger to be secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“We look forward to working with the acting secretary to advance the administration’s goals to build out our entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive investments in early-stage firms and supports innovation in established manufacturers,” said Ryan Glenn, Ben Franklin’s Director of Statewide Initiatives. “We all share the same belief that investments in innovation are the foundation of the new economy, where cutting-edge ideas will help us to attract and retain in-demand talent and to generate sustained growth that benefits communities across the commonwealth.”
Siger, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, currently is Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Siger leads CMU’s growth strategy at Hazelwood Green, a former Pittsburgh industrial site re-envisioned as a new model for economic development and translational research in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
He previously served President Barack Obama for more than seven years, including a time as Chief of Staff at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Commerce.
Ben Franklin 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 nearly 40 years ago, Ben Franklin has invested in more than 4,500 technology-based companies and boosted the state economy by more than $25 billion, helping to generate 148,000 jobs through investments in client firms and spinoff companies in Pennsylvania.
The most recent independent economic analysis shows that every dollar invested by the state into Ben Franklin generates $3.90 in additional state taxes. Jobs generated by Ben Franklin are in industries that pay 52 percent more than the average non-farm wage in Pennsylvania.
The administration is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 17. Cabinet appointees require confirmation by the state Senate.
For more information, visit www.benfranklin.org.
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