Job growth greatest in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to report

The Governor’s Action Team recently released its annual report for fiscal year 2020-2021, which showed that there were 9,554 new jobs created in Pennsylvania, with the greatest growth in the northeast.

Northeastern Pennsylvania created 2,362 new jobs, 25 percent of the total. Job growth occurred in many industries, including manufacturing, food processing, logistics, and regional/national headquarters.

A total of 56 percent of all new jobs, more than 1,300, created in the region were in manufacturing positions.

The region also secured more than $1 billion in private investment for economic development projects, more than $400 million higher than the next highest region.

The Ball Corp., an aluminum packaging company, invested $421 million in a manufacturing facility in Jenkins Township in Luzerne County. Wages average $69,593.

Nacero, an innovative fuel manufacturing company, plans to build a $6 billion manufacturing facility in Nanticoke City and Newport Township, creating 4,000 new jobs.

Northpoint Development has created more than 7,000 jobs in Luzerne County over the last five years.

More than $1 billion in private investment has been leveraged by strategic investments in infrastructure in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This includes the $90 million South Valley Parkway and the I-80/I-81 corridor project that contributed to success in Hanover and Newport townships and Nanticoke City.