PA’s government leaders are changing how to do business in Pennsylvania, securing $1.2 billion in private sector investment. Additionally, over the last year, the state added over 100,000 new jobs, increased economic output, and saw its unemployment rate drop. This panel will discuss hot-button issues like:

• Tax reforms related to corporate net income tax and net operating losses write offs
• Utilizing traditional powerhouses to leverage future investment
• Region-centric economic development plans to focus on diverse strengths
• The future economy and what new sectors could pop up

Justin Sweitzer (Moderator)

Senior Reporter
City & State PA

Douglas E. Brown

Deputy Director
Dauphin County Office of Community and Economic Development

Don Cunningham

President & CEO
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

Justin J. Frank

Senior Specialist / Area Sales Manager, Pennsylvania
L3Harris Technologies

In 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order creating the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP), a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development grants to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need. But what are other stakeholders doing to improve current the workforce environment and to develop the workforce of the future? Among the topics this panel will address are:

• How will AI impact current and future employment
• What is the current state of workforce development in Pennsylvania and how does DEI play into it
• What more can be done to address ongoing workforce shortages in healthcare, education, building trades, etc.?

Teresa M. Lundy (Moderator)

Principal & Founder
TML Communications

Sen. Jarrett Coleman

Chair
Intergovernmental Operations Committee

Aiisha G. Herring-Miller

Capital Program Office, Deputy Director
Diverse Business and Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia

Kristen Rotz

President
United Way of Pennsylvania