Governor Shapiro's Budget Boosts PA Economy and Tourism Investment

Governor Shapiro's Budget: A New Era for Pennsylvania's Economy and Tourism

Pennsylvania is set to experience an economic and tourism boom, thanks in part to Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 state budget initiatives. With a focus on strengthening small businesses, revitalizing main streets, and preparing for large-scale events, the budget aims to bolster the state’s economy and international profile.

Significant Investments in Tourism and Event Readiness

A substantial $50 million allocation is earmarked to prepare Pennsylvania for an influx of visitors for the America250 celebrations and other major events, including $10 million directed towards the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. As America marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Pennsylvania is poised to host a variety of significant events, including the NCAA's March Madness, the FIFA World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

Revitalizing Main Streets and Supporting Small Businesses

Governor Shapiro's budget commits $20 million to the Main Street Matters program, aiming to enhance commercial corridors that form the backbone of Pennsylvania’s communities. Additionally, another $20 million is allocated to the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance program, designed to provide minority-owned small businesses with improved access to capital, supporting local economic growth and job creation.

Enhancing Economic Competitiveness

With $500 million in site development funding, Pennsylvania is set to attract major companies by establishing shovel-ready sites. The funding, initially secured in the 2024-25 budget, has already facilitated over $113 million in grants for site preparation, opening doors for significant job-creating projects in Bedford and Mayfield.

Pennsylvania's Economic Leadership

Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has emerged as a national leader in economic growth. According to Moody’s, it is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy. In a testament to its robust business environment, Pennsylvania has been ranked among the top 20 "Best States for Business" by Area Development, the only Northeastern state to make the list.

Attracting Private-Sector Investment

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has streamlined processes and attracted approximately $31.6 billion in private-sector investment, resulting in over 16,700 well-paying jobs. Among these investments is Amazon’s historic $20 billion project to develop AI and cloud computing campuses, promising thousands of jobs in high-tech and construction sectors.

For further details on Governor Shapiro's economic strategies, visit the 2025-26 state budget and learn how the administration is creating economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.