If you’ve lived in Pennsylvania for a while, you’ve probably noticed some encouraging business news over the past few years.
There is a renewed sense of momentum.
For a US state that back-in-the-day used to have it all, and then lost some of it’s footing, is now making a very strong comeback.
New companies are expanding, major employers are making billion dollar commitments, development projects are transforming communities, and more people are beginning to recognize what those of us who have lived here our entire lives have always known: Pennsylvania is an incredible place to live, work, and invest.
When companies invest billions into PA, they are not simply constructing buildings. They are creating jobs, strengthening neighborhoods, increasing housing demand, supporting local businesses, and building confidence in the future of our region.
Much of this recent success can be attributed to the leadership of Aaron Pitts, Pennsylvania’s Chief Commercial Officer and the head of BusinessPA, along with Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger.
Together, they have helped Pennsylvania secure more than $41 billion in private sector investment and are projected to create approximately 23,000 new jobs throughout the Commonwealth.
For homeowners, this is exciting news. But for those who are considering relocating to PA, it is even more compelling.
Here are the 3 Biggest Reasons (aka Timmy G’s Top 3) why Pennsylvania has suddenly become one of the country’s most attractive destinations for corporate investment.
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No. 1: PA Is Finally Competing Like It Knows It Can Win
For many years, Pennsylvania possessed all the ingredients companies wanted but often struggled to communicate that story effectively.
The talent was here. The universities were here. The transportation infrastructure was here. The healthcare systems were here. The affordable cost of living was here. The major metropolitan areas were here. The quality of life was here.
Yet many national companies simply overlooked PA during their site selection process.
Sooo … why?
One of Aaron Pitts’ primary goals has been repositioning Pennsylvania as a serious contender whenever companies conduct nationwide searches for expansion opportunities. Instead of waiting for businesses to call, Pennsylvania has become proactive.
BusinessPA now combines business marketing, project management, research, and business attraction under one coordinated organization. That creates a much smoother experience for companies considering large investments.
The results speak for themselves.
Over the past year alone, Pennsylvania secured more than 50 major economic development projects totaling approximately $25 billion in capital investment. That represents more committed investment in one year than the Commonwealth secured during the previous decade combined.
Here in Greater Philadelphia, we’ve already seen the benefits.
Johnson & Johnson announced a $1B next generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Lower Gwynedd. Eli Lilly expanded its Pennsylvania footprint. DrinkPak selected South Philadelphia for a massive manufacturing operation. TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, chose the Bellwether District for an advanced manufacturing facility.
These companies considered dozens, and in some cases hundreds, of locations across the country.
They chose Pennsylvania.
As a Realtor, small business owner, and PA native, that gives me tremendous confidence in our housing market. Companies follow opportunity. Employees follow jobs. Housing demand follows both. That creates long term strength for homeowners and local communities.
No. 2: PA Has Created a Business Friendly Environment That Removes Obstacles
One of the biggest misconceptions about economic development is that companies simply chase tax incentives. While incentives certainly matter, businesses are often looking for something even more valuable.
Certainty.
Corporate leaders want to know projects will move efficiently from concept to completion. They want responsive government. They want infrastructure. They want reliable partners. That is where Pennsylvania has made significant progress.
One of the state’s newest initiatives, PA SITES, has become a game changer. Rather than waiting until companies commit, Pennsylvania is proactively investing in roads, utilities, and site preparation to make properties ready for development. This reduces delays and gives companies greater confidence when making billion dollar decisions.
For example, PA SITES helped support major infrastructure improvements at South Philadelphia’s Bellwether District, making it significantly more attractive for companies like DrinkPak and TerraPower. The state has also implemented a Fast Track Permitting Program, allowing large economic development projects requiring approvals from multiple agencies to move through the process much more efficiently.
In business, speed matters.
Aaron Pitts understands that because he spent decades working in private industry before joining PA’s economic development efforts. His responsiveness has become one of the state’s competitive advantages. Developers have described Pitts as someone who responds on weekends, answers late night calls, travels wherever necessary, and helps companies navigate complex projects quickly.
That level of customer service builds trust.
It also sends an important message.
Pennsylvania wants your business.
As someone who works in real estate, I appreciate that philosophy. Relationships matter. Communication matters. Responsiveness matters. Whether I’m helping someone purchase their first home, or someone else is helping a Fortune 500 company invest hundreds of millions of dollars, people want to know they have a trusted advisor working alongside them (sup, Bricks & Risk).
Mindset is everything, and it has become one of PA’s greatest strengths.
No. 3: Pennsylvania Offers Something Many States Cannot
Even beyond incentives and streamlined government, Pennsylvania possesses advantages that simply cannot be replicated.
We offer an outstanding quality of life. That matters more today than ever before. Companies are no longer evaluating only buildings and tax rates. They’re evaluating whether employees will actually want to live there. Pennsylvania checks an incredible number of boxes.
We have world class universities producing exceptional talent, internationally respected healthcare systems, multiple major cities connected by outstanding transportation networks, abundant natural resources, a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many competing markets; and perhaps most importantly, we have communities full of people with genuine character.
That is something I appreciate every day living in Greater Philadelphia. Whether it’s enjoying dinner in Chestnut Hill, spending a weekend exploring suburban towns, walking through historic neighborhoods in Philadelphia, or grabbing coffee at one of my favorite spots, this region offers an incredible lifestyle.
People are increasingly prioritizing places where they can build meaningful lives. PA delivers exactly that. When Aaron Pitts first considered leading BusinessPA, he recognized these strengths immediately. His belief was simple. With strong leadership and the right strategy, Pennsylvania should be winning far more economic development opportunities than it had historically secured. That vision is becoming reality.
National site selection experts now regularly include Pennsylvania on shortlists for major corporate investments. Companies that once overlooked the Commonwealth are now actively competing for available locations here. That shift is significant.
And I believe we’re still in the early stages.
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Whenever I meet with homeowners, one of the most common questions I hear is whether investing in their home continues to make sense. Economic news like this reinforces why the answer is often yes. Strong job creation typically leads to increased housing demand. Growing companies attract new employees. Those employees need places to live.
Families relocate.
Neighborhoods grow.
Local businesses expand.
Property values often benefit from sustained economic investment over time. No one can predict exactly how every market will perform. However, healthy economies tend to support healthy housing markets. That makes PA’s recent momentum particularly encouraging. For homeowners planning renovations, staying long term, or simply building equity, these investments represent another reason to remain optimistic about the future.
For buyers moving from other states, Pennsylvania offers a compelling combination of affordability and opportunity. Many people relocating from higher cost markets discover they can purchase more home while maintaining access to excellent healthcare, outstanding education, vibrant communities, and diverse employment opportunities. Now they’re also finding a state aggressively competing to attract some of the world’s largest employers.
That combination is difficult to ignore.
You are not choosing between lifestyle and opportunity.
Pennsylvania increasingly offers both.
Whether your career is in healthcare, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, finance, education, or technology, the Commonwealth is creating an environment where businesses and employees can thrive together.
Pennsylvania’s ability to attract more than $41B in private investment is about far more than impressive headlines. It represents confidence. Confidence from global companies, business leaders, and investors. And ultimately, confidence in the people and communities that make Pennsylvania such a remarkable place to call home.
I’ve built my career and relationships in Greater Philadelphia through hard work, integrity, and consistency, and I’ve watched first-hand our neighborhoods/towns evolve, markets shift, and communities strengthen. I believe strongly that when you love where you live, it shows.
Hit me up (267-879-2716, phillyurbanliving@gmail.com) if you’d like to pick my brain on different places to live in our area (I have Realtor connections across the state), learn more about what your property is worth, or just want to chat about this blog post.
I love meeting new people, chopping it up, and adding value where I can!
