GAF chose to build a second plant in the New Columbia area (Central Pennsylvania) because of the talented workforce, excellent rail service, and proximity to an interstate highway and our customer base in the Northeast...”
Regions
Central Pennsylvania positions companies for success, providing the access, infrastructure, and workforce to keep business moving. From the fast-growing capital city of Harrisburg to the bustling agriculture and manufacturing industries in Lancaster, Central Pennsylvania's strength lies in the diversity of the companies and people that call the region home. Just about anything can be made here—life-saving vaccines, Hershey chocolate bars, motorcycles, and more. That, combined with the low cost-of-living and access to top-tier talent from major universities like Pennsylvania State University, makes it clear why so many world-class companies pick Central Pennsylvania as their hub for growth.
Central to everything.
Far from nothing.
Downtown Harrisburg
Pennsylvania State University - State College
York
Shamokin
Geisinger Medical Center - Danville
- Harrisburg, PA
- Penn State
- York, PA
- Shamokin, PA
- Geisinger Medical Center
Consisting of seventeen counties—five of which are along Pennsylvania’s southern border with Maryland—Central Pennsylvania’s geographic diversity is among its greatest strengths. Lancaster, York, Gettysburg, Hershey, and Harrisburg—Pennsylvania’s capital city—each contribute distinct strengths that together create a uniquely balanced regional economy. Across these communities and the counties that connect them, businesses gain access to a powerful mix of agriculture and food production, advanced manufacturing, logistics infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, research, and government resources. The result is a region defined not by a single industry, but by the ability to support growth across many.
Central Pennsylvania has a strategic northeast location, with access to 40% of the U.S. population within a day's drive. Major metros like Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia are less than 2 hours away by car, and robust rail service makes connectivity to NYC a breeze. The region is also home to Harrisburg International Airport, with all the convenience of larger airports and none of the hassle. Infrastructure is one of Central Pennsylvania's key assets—industrial rail corridors and interstate access in all directions, combined with continued Commonwealth investment in improving these assets, helps support the movement of goods across the region.
Counties in the Central Region
Adams, Centre, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, York
Key Industries
Advanced Manufacturing
Agriculture and Food Manufacturing
Healthcare
- Andy Hilton, Chief Communications Officer, GAF (Union County)
Major brands grow here. So does your talent pool.
Central Pennsylvania's strong talent pipeline is why so many companies like GSK, Eurofins, Kettle & Fire, and Il Pastaio are choosing PA as their place to grow. The region's many colleges and universities—including Penn State University, Bucknell University, Harrisburg Area Community College’s five campuses, and a wide slate of trade schools and workforce training programs—ensure a steady stream of talent, whether you're looking for MBAs or manufacturing professionals.
Central Pennsylvania is widely regarded as the "Snack Food Capital of the World” due to its concentration of major snack-making companies and factories. Hershey's, Utz Brands, Martin's Snacks, and more all produce their iconic treats right here. We're also home to world-class health care institutions like UPMC and Geisinger Medical Center, some of which are ranked among the best in the country. Together, these organizations anchor a regional economy built on education, healthcare, and manufacturing of all shapes and sizes.
Explore Central Pennsylvania Success Stories
Kettle & Fire expands manufacturing operations in Central Pennsylvania
Kettle & Fire has opened KettleWorks, its first company-owned, 167,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, investing more than $19.1 million and creating at least 149 new jobs in the region. Supported by a state package that includes a $4 million PIDA loan and workforce grants, the facility will help the fast-growing bone broth maker boost production efficiency, meet rising demand, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s agriculture and manufacturing economy.
Tate Access Floors expanding operations in Central Pennsylvania
Tate Access Floors, which manufactures advanced flooring systems used in varied high-tech facilities, is expanding its Red Lion manufacturing facility with a $2.5 million investment to meet rising demand tied to data center growth. The project will create at least 75 new jobs while retaining 200, strengthening York County’s advanced manufacturing base. It’s another sign that companies powering the digital economy are choosing Pennsylvania to scale.
Meet Central Pennsylvania's Regional Partners
Focus Central Pennsylvania’s mission is to advance economic vitality in the Central Pennsylvania region by attracting new employers and investment. The organization works collaboratively with other local and regional partners to market available sites and regional advantages to prospective businesses.
The Susquehanna Economic Development Association Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is a regional development organization serving central Pennsylvania. It provides economic, community, and infrastructure development services across multiple counties, acting as a resource center for local governments, businesses, and residents. SEDA-COG is known for fostering regional cooperation and managing state and federal grant programs.
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) is a nonprofit economic development organization serving the greater Harrisburg region. It focuses on promoting business growth, job creation, and community investment across Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties, working closely with local governments, financial institutions, and the private sector.
The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is the designated economic development organization for Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It focuses on promoting business growth, tourism, and workforce development to strengthen the county’s economy and enhance regional competitiveness.
The Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (EDC Lancaster County) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization serving businesses in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It functions as the county’s primary economic development organization (EDO), supporting business retention, expansion, and attraction, and operating an affiliated finance corporation that connects companies to capital and incentive programs.
The Adams Economic Alliance is a regional economic development organization serving Adams County. It supports business growth, workforce development, and community investment through financing programs, partnerships, and advocacy. The alliance plays a key role in enhancing the county’s economic vitality and competitiveness within south-central Pennsylvania.
The York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) is the primary economic development organization for York County, Pennsylvania. It coordinates business recruitment, workforce initiatives, and community development to strengthen the regional economy. Formed through a merger of local economic and chamber organizations, it serves as a central hub for growth, advocacy, and innovation in the county.