Governor Corbett: Pennsylvania Receives National Recognition for Economic Development in 2012; Best in the Northeast

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that Area Development Magazine, a publication specializing in corporate real estate, has honored Pennsylvania with a "Silver Shovel" award for its economic development success in terms of new job creation and economic growth in 2012.

Pennsylvania was one of three states to receive a Silver Shovel award in the 10 million-plus population tier and the only Northeast U.S. state overall to earn recognition.

"This recognition from Area Development is verification that our efforts to improve the business climate and encourage job growth are paying off," said Corbett.  "This award is much more than rank; successful projects mean economic growth in our state and new jobs for our citizens."

Area Development's annual Shovel Awards are given to the states with the highest weighted scores based on job creation, amount of investment, number of new facilities, and industry diversity. Each of the 50 states was invited by Area Development to submit information about its top-10 job creation and investment projects. Only those projects that began to materialize in 2012 were considered.

"My commitment to more jobs and less taxes is resulting in economic growth and job creation throughout the state – from our major metropolitan centers to our rural communities," Corbett said. "As a result, more than 125,000 private sector jobs have been created and our labor force has grown by 100,000 to more than 6.5 million."

Founded in 1965, Area Development Magazine is a leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation. Published bi-monthly, the magazine has more than 45,000 executive subscribers.

For additional coverage of the Shovel Awards visit http://www.areadevelopment.com/awards.

For more information about Governor Corbett, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact: 
Kelli Roberts; Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Steve Kratz; DCED, 717-783-1132

Editor's Note: Below is a list of the top 10 projects submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Berks County
Dollar General    
Warehouse/Distribution
500 jobs to be created
$90 million capital investment

PetSmart    
Warehouse / Distribution
545 jobs to be created   
$87.1 million capital investment   

Cumberland County
Ahold USA/Vantage Foods
Manufacturing - Food processing   
850 jobs to be created    
$63 million capital investment

Delaware County
Monroe Energy LLC 
Petroleum refining 
400 jobs to be created
$350 million capital investment   

Franklin County
Volvo Construction Equipment    
Manufacturing - Construction equipment
300 jobs to be created
$100 million capital investment

Lehigh County
Bimbo Bakeries    
Manufacturing - Food Processing
95 jobs to be created
$100 million capital investment

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
Manufacturing - Food and drink processing
165 jobs to be created
$110 million capital investment

Westport Axle
Manufacturing – Axle Forging and Stamping
518 jobs to be created
$5.2 million capital investment

Washington County
Mylan  
Pharmaceuticals
200 jobs to be created
$60 million capital investment

Westmoreland County
Aquion Energy, Inc.   
Alternative Energy / Battery Manufacturer
341 jobs to be created
$70 million capital investment   

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor