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"We have enjoyed many cultural and commercial benefits as a result of locating our ALSTOM Transmission & Distribution North American headquarters in southeastern Pennsylvania From a commercial standpoint, the government has worked closely with us through a variety of state and federal incentive programs to make our relocation here fiscally advantageous. And from an employer perspective, our close proximity to Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC has allowed us to recruit candidates from all of these regions, which boast a highly skilled, experienced workforce and are home to some of the best universities in the country. Culturally speaking, the Philadelphia region is at the heart of U.S. history yet is also cosmopolitan in its European-infused architecture and world-class showcase of the fine arts. With all of this on our side, we look forward to a successful future here in Pennsylvania."
Brian F. Pope, President, ALSTOM T&D Inc. (France)
"In our studies of potential locations for our plants in the U.S., Pennsylvania offered the greatest promise for meeting our needs. That promise is being amply fulfilled."
Brian A Miller, Executive Vice President, Martin-Baker America Inc. (United Kingdom)
"Sony spent two years analyzing potential manufacturing locations, comparing everything from high school graduation rates, quality-of-life issues, tax advantages, availability of a skilled workforce, infrastructure, availability of educational institutions, and attitudes of local and state government. From a final shortlist of 17 sites, we chose Pennsylvania. Since beginning production in 1992, we have expanded to become the world's first vertically-integrated television manufacturing facility by adding a television glass manufacturing facility and another large warehouse used by Sony Logistics as a major east coast distribution hub."
Charles L. Gregory, President, Sony Technology Center - Pittsburgh (Japan)
"We have business locations in the Eastern and Western sides of Pennsylvania. State and local development agencies and government listened to our needs, worked diligently to understand all of our requirements and helped us facilitate very efficient start-ups. After 18 years of successful operations we are more convinced than ever of the wisdom of starting, maintaining and growing our business in Pennsylvania. A sound infrastructure, a wealth of excellent workers and the facilities and financial support from government to train them, makes Pennsylvania an ideal place to do business."
Rami Younes, President, CCL Container (Canada)
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Pennsylvania Quick Facts
Today's competitive, global marketplace offers tremendous opportunities - and challenges - to businesses. These opportunities can be significantly enhanced by factors as simple as the right location and a business-friendly partner.
Pennsylvania offers an ideal location. And that's just the beginning. It also offers businesses a partner dedicated to creating a strong economy based on policies that provide a positive business tax and regulatory structure. Virtually every initiative Pennsylvania develops is designed to help businesses succeed in Pennsylvania.
In addition to creating an environmental policy that emphasizes cooperation, Pennsylvania has made significant cuts in business taxes, radically reformed workers' compensation, and deregulated both the electric and gas utilities.
Pennsylvania's highly successful transition from monopoly to consumer choice of its electric industry has been hailed as a national model, proving that electric competition can work when done thoughtfully and carefully.
Beyond that, Pennsylvania boasts a highly skilled work force, an extensive transportation network, an excellent quality of life and much more.
Considering all these factors, it's no wonder that companies like Marconi, SAP America, GlaxoSmithKline, Rand, Lockheed-Martin and Sony have decided to locate or expand in the state of Pennsylvania. Today, over 1,400 foreign-owned companies operate in Pennsylvania and employ more than 400,000 workers. Leading foreign investment into Pennsylvania comes from the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Canada, France, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
See for yourself why Pennsylvania is the state of choice for you!
World-Class Economy
Fact : Pennsylvania is an Important Player in the World Economy
Pennsylvania is the world's 15 largest economy, ranking ahead of countries such as Australia and Switzerland.
Pennsylvania's traditional industries of agriculture, steel production and heavy manufacturing are combined with a new generation of industries on the leading edge of technological development. Today, Pennsylvania's economy is characterized by a diverse blend of industrial manufacturing, development of advanced technologies and service firms.
Access to Markets
Fact : Pennsylvania offers access to vital markets
Six out of 10 major U.S. markets are located within 500 miles of Pennsylvania's capital city, Harrisburg. Within this radius lies access to vital markets that encompass:
- 40% of the U.S. population and purchasing power
- More than 60% of Canada's population
- 45% of U.S. manufacturers
- 41% of the nation's domestic trade and service industries
Transportation
Fact : Pennsylvania offers every means to move your products
- 120,000-mile highway system
- Almost $3.5 billion investment annually for road and bridge construction and maintenance
- 136 public-use airports and almost 800 airports and landing facilities in all
- Six international airports, 1 with daily flights to Europe
- Almost 800,000 metric tons of air cargo moved each year
- 60 railroads with more than 5,100 miles of railways - ranks 6th in U.S.
- Access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Port of Philadelphia
- Access to the Great Lakes via the Port of Erie
- The Port of Pittsburgh is the largest inland port in the U.S., with access to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, as well as to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal
- Pennsylvania's dynamic PennPORTS office works to ensure that Pennsylvania's ports, your gateway to the world, remain world-class
Work Force
Fact : Pennsylvania boasts a dedicated, high-quality workforce
Pennsylvania recognizes that a quality workforce is a critical element of business competitiveness.Those companies with a presence in Pennsylvania acknowledge our workforce as one of the best.
- Pennsylvania's population: 12 million +
- Pennsylvania's work force: 6 million +
- 86% of adults have earned at least a high school degree and more than 24% have a Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Training is a Top Priority
- Pennsylvania's Customized Job Training (CJT) program provides more than $35 million in grant funds annually to new and existing firms for employee training for new jobs or to upgrade skills to accommodate new technologies
- Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the nation to offer a guaranteed training program under WEDnetPA. If the training doesn't meet expected standards, employees are retrained at no cost to the employer
- Pennsylvania is seizing the power of the Internet to provide information technology and basic business skills training over the Web through the state's almost $3 million Cyberscholarships program
Pennsylvania Provides the Foundation which Creates Exceptional Workers - Education
- Pennsylvania has the nation's 3rd largest number of colleges and universities
- Pennsylvania's colleges and universities attract students from across the nation and the world - an estimated 100,000 annually
- 5th in total doctorate degrees awarded
Pennsylvania is home to:
- 4 of the nation's top 50 universities - University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania State University
- 7 of the top liberal arts colleges
- 4 of the top 15 undergraduate engineering programs
- one of the nation's top ranked business schools, The Wharton School
- the nation's top graduate computer engineering school, Carnegie Mellon University
Technology Leader
- Home to thousands of high-tech establishments
- The first state to enact a uniform Electronic Transactions Act
- The nation's first-ever "Tax-Free PC" shopping week program to encourage home computer use
- The 4th leading state for industrial electronics manufacturing and consumer electronics manufacturing, 5th for electronic components and accessories, and ranks 8th overall in high-tech employment, according to Cyberstates
- Growing center for biotech - largest concentration of tissue engineering firms in the nation
- The Pennsylvania Technology Investment Authority is making strategic investments in Pennsylvania businesses, communities, and colleges and universities to ensure that the Commonwealth continues to be a world-leading center for high technology
Research & Development Center
Fact : Pennsylvania ranks 8th in industry spending and has research & development facilities for virtually every industry
- Pennsylvania industries invest $9 billion annually in R & D
- Pennsylvania ranks 4th in academic R & D, 5th in the number of doctoral scientists and 8th in doctoral engineers
- The top 5 Pennsylvania schools, with almost $1.4 billion in annual R & D expenditures are:
- University of Pennsylvania
- Penn State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Thomas Jefferson University - Pennsylvania supports businesses' R & D efforts with the $15 million R & D Tax Credit program, which provides a 10% tax credit to qualifying employers for new research and development investments in Pennsylvania
Expansion and Location
Fact : Pennsylvania is the leading state for business expansion and location
- 6th leading state for new and expanded business plants overall, and 4th for new manufacturing plants, according to Site Selection magazine
- Tax-free Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program has been named the nation's leading economic development program by Business Facilities magazine
- Launch of new Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) program
Keystone Opportunity Zones represent the boldest, most forward-thinking economic development program in the nation. Through credits, waivers, and comprehensive deductions, total taxes on economic activity in KOZs are reduced to almost zero. These tax abatements remain in effect through 2013. More information about the KOZ program is available online at www.koz.inventpa.com.
Keystone Innovation Zones are geographically designated areas of Pennsylvania, designed to harness resources made available through partnerships formed by a combination of institutions of higher education, private businesses, business support organizations, commercial lending institutions, venture capital networks, including angel investors, and foundations.This collaborative partnership works to improve and encourage Pennsylvania's R&D efforts and technology commercialization apparatus.
More information about locating a business in Pennsylvania can be found at www.teampa.com or www.inventpa.com.
Business Assistance
Fact : Pennsylvania has one of the most well funded business assistance programs in the nation. We offer a wide variety of programs to meet your business needs
From investments in high technology and machinery and equipment to land acquisition and industrial site remediation to R & D and export assistance, Pennsylvania's business financing programs are among the most comprehensive of any state.
- The Opportunity Grant program is Pennsylvania's highly flexible business financing program that allows the Commonwealth to respond to the majority of business needs
- The Jobs Creation Tax Credit program provides a $1,000 tax credit per job to firms that create at least 25 new jobs or increase their total employment by 20%
- The Single Application for Assistance allows businesses to simultaneously apply for all of Pennsylvania's business financing and development programs, and is available electronically
- Pennsylvania's innovative, Internet-based Business Resource Network provides quick access to a wide array of data, highlighting the advantages of expanding or locating your business in Pennsylvania
Quality of Life
Fact : Pennsylvania Boasts a High Quality of Life
Pennsylvania attractions include:
- Professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey
- Major college sports.
- Every kind of outdoor recreation - from white water rafting and boating to hiking, fishing, camping, skiing and much more.
- Cultural attractions and festivals
- World-renowned theater, art, and music
- Every resident is within 15 minutes of a state park, forest, or game lands