Shapiro Administration Works to Promote Business Investment and Journey to Pennsylvania During Economic Development Journey to Ireland

A senior group from DCED is selling the Commonwealth as one of the best place for worldwide enterprise investments, with greater than 22 international firms investing over $93 million to increase into PA over the previous yr.

Sec. Siger and senior enterprise improvement leaders will work to safe personal sector funding to create jobs and develop the financial system in Pennsylvania.  

VisitPA can be showcasing all that The Great American Getaway has to supply to Irish vacationers forward of main worldwide sporting occasions and extra coming to Pennsylvania in 2026. 

Harrisburg, PA – This week, as a part of the Shapiro Administration’s dedication to selling worldwide enterprise funding, commerce, and journey to the Commonwealth, senior officers from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Community and Economic Development (DCED) are in Ireland assembly with enterprise leaders, key stakeholders, and residents to advertise Pennsylvania’s wealthy tradition and powerful financial momentum. Participating DCED officers are Secretary Rick Siger, BusinessPA’s Chief Commercial Officer Aaron Pitts, and Tourism Deputy Secretary Anne Ryan.

During the journey, Secretary Siger and Chief Commercial Officer Pitts are assembly with representatives from almost 15 Irish firms, in addition to numerous financial improvement professionals and commerce consultants. The firms symbolize a variety of experience according to Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy ― starting from manufacturing to life sciences, and different superior expertise. Secretary Siger will even be assembly with firms which have current robust relationships with the Commonwealth, a lot of which intend to additional put money into their Pennsylvania operations.

This financial improvement journey additionally coincides with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ historic sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings within the first regular-season NFL soccer sport ever performed in Ireland at Dublin’s Croke Park.

“Bringing global businesses and international tourists to Pennsylvania are key parts of Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy and this historic football game offers our BusinessPA and Tourism teams a unique opportunity to expand our already strong relationship with the Republic of Ireland,” mentioned Secretary Siger. “More than 16,000 employees and 382 companies from Ireland currently call Pennsylvania home. Trips like this one are vital to fostering working relationships and encouraging more international companies to invest here as we exchange products, cultures, and ideas that ultimately benefit the Commonwealth’s economy and create real opportunities for Pennsylvanians.”

Pennsylvania is Open for Business

The Shapiro Administration continues to show that the Commonwealth is the premier place for worldwide companies and employees. Since taking workplace, Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration have made securing significant investments within the Commonwealth a precedence. In 2024 alone, greater than 22 international firms invested over $93 million to increase into Pennsylvania because of DCED’s work. Top firms from Ireland, corresponding to Linde Gas & Equipment, Johnson Controls, and Trane Technology are established in Pennsylvania ― and because of our business-friendly setting, robust workforce, and considerable assets, extra Irish companies will quickly increase their operations right here as effectively.

“BusinessPA finds new and innovative ways to aggressively promote the Commonwealth and win investments that further boost our economy and secure our economic future ― this trip is another example of how we’re getting stuff done,” mentioned Chief Commercial Officer Pitts. “Being in Ireland provides us with a valuable opportunity to engage in person with new and existing international business leaders and double down on why Pennsylvania is the best place for them to grow and succeed.”

Last yr, Pennsylvania exported $663 million to Ireland, with high commodities together with pharmaceutical and plastics merchandise. Ireland has the sixth highest Foreign Direct Investment footprint within the Commonwealth and is Pennsylvania’s ninth largest buying and selling companion. Currently, 382 Irish firms have their base of operations positioned in Pennsylvania to develop within the North American market.

Promoting Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway

With tourism and the hospitality business additionally recognized as key sectors within the Economic Development Strategy, the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism introduced the launch of a brand new Visit PA promoting marketing campaign in Belfast and Dublin forward of the historic Steelers sport, designed to extend consciousness of Pennsylvania’s locations, cultural icons, and the marquee occasions the state will host in 2026.

The marketing campaign is anchored by a sequence of daring Visit PA murals that embody Pennsylvania’s wealthy cultural panorama of individuals, locations, and personalities, now on full show in Dublin’s Temple Bar, proper subsequent to Fitzsimons pub — which can remodel right into a Steelers bar whereas the NFL is on the town.

In addition to the murals, Visit PA will promote Pennsylvania’s 2026 occasions by means of avenue activations, influencer occasions, social media campaigns, and media interviews, inviting Irish followers to expertise Pennsylvania’s distinctive mix of sport, historical past, and celebration.

“Ireland and Pennsylvania already share a deep cultural connection — from our Irish heritage communities to our shared love of sport and fandom. With the Steelers here in Dublin, we’re strengthening that bond in a way that inspires trips to Pennsylvania in 2026,” mentioned Tourism Deputy Secretary Ryan. “We want Irish fans to join us not only for the NFL Draft, the FIFA World Cup, and America’s 250th birthday, but also to learn more about the many unique destinations and experiences across Pennsylvania that demonstrate why Pennsylvania is truly The Great American Getaway.”

Just as Pennsylvania performed an important position in 1776, we’re primed to as soon as once more be within the highlight in 2026 with main occasions all through the Commonwealth ― from NCAA’s March Madness males’s basketball event, the FIFA World Cup and MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, to the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square and the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers’ sport in Dublin is simply the opening chapter in a yr of extraordinary alternatives to discover Pennsylvania. VisitPA’s ongoing marketing campaign is selling the state as a premier vacation spot for Irish and different worldwide vacationers, highlighting how the Keystone State’s distinctive mix of sport, tradition, historical past, and nature could make for a exceptional journey expertise.

For extra details about the Department of Community & Economic Development, go to the DCED web site, and you’ll want to keep up-to-date with all of our company information on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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