The Foreign Trade Zone of Southern Pennsylvania (FTZSPA) is pleased to announce that it is a partner with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and numerous PA economic development partners that have been awarded funding for the program, PA Made Again, to attract international investment and generate economic growth across Pennsylvania.
A portion of the program’s funding is being provided through a federal Make It in America grant, one of just ten such grants approved nationwide. The program will be implemented over three years in the 52 participating counties in central and northern Pennsylvania.
Total funding for the project is nearly $3 million. Other key funding sources include the Economic Development Administration (EDA), Employment and Training Administration, and National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership. These funds are being matched by the partners in PA.
The EDA-funded portion of the program will employ a comprehensive plan of “reverse investment,” encouraging foreign companies to expand into Pennsylvania, as well as domestic companies that have previously moved their production overseas.
“This is an excellent opportunity to strategically augment the State’s existing international marketing and attraction efforts.” –Pamela J. Shupp, Vice President, Greater Reading Economic Partnership and member of the FTZSPA Board. Shupp will represent FTZSPA on the planning group and chair the marketing steering committee.
A major role will also be played by the Commonwealth’s Center for Direct Investment. As a division of the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development, the Center is familiar with foreign trade show participation and exhibitions. In addition, the Center works with authorized investment representatives around the globe. Pennsylvania has the largest network of overseas offices of any of the 50 states.
C. Alan Walker, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, said, “Our efforts to attract international companies will be strengthened by this new partnership and together we can introduce a new, energized Pennsylvania to businesses throughout the world.”
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