Participants in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee roundtable and tour examined obstacles for small businesses, particularly those in rural areas across the state.
“I’m grateful for everyone who came out today from across Pennsylvania and beyond to talk about these challenges and how to best address this complex issue,” said State Rep. Paul Takac (D-82), who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee tour and roundtable discussion Aug. 27. “This will remain an ongoing conversation, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to bring folks together to help address this significant challenge.”
Rural communities across the state face significant challenges as they support economic development and the creation of well-paying jobs that can replace traditional industries, including coal mining and manufacturing, according to testimony during the roundtable discussion.
Pennsylvania and its neighboring states, for instance, are bracing for another 6-percent decline in the rural population in future years, a figure that experts forecast will increase if states are not prepared to address rural communities’ needs.
“The lack of good-paying jobs and opportunities is leading to a falling population, as young people move away, with a corresponding decrease in local small businesses and services such as grocery stores, banks, and even health care,” Takac said.
The House Majority Policy Committee toured Bellefonte, Pa.-based Actuated Medical, a product innovator that recently more than doubled its square footage.
During the pandemic, Actuated Medical produced some 85,000 face shields and hired an additional eight employees to help supply personal protective equipment for a wide variety of customers.
The company also has designed, developed, and produced a device to help clear and clean feeding tubes, which often become clogged with medication. The device was first used on a soldier at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Following the tour, the committee participated in a roundtable discussion.
“Rep. Takac assembled a room full of entrepreneurs, investors, and development specialists to help us learn more about the policies that are generating sustainable economic development and growth in rural Pennsylvania,” said Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-3), who represents portions of Erie County.
Testifiers detailed how the Rural Jobs and Investment Tax Credit Program has helped create jobs in Pennsylvania.
“Creating opportunities and helping every community thrive — both here in my hometown and across the commonwealth — is one of my top priorities as a state representative,” said Takac, who represents portions of Centre County.
The Aug. 27 committee roundtable also featured input and testimony from Dr. Maureen Mulvihill, CEO and co-founder of Actuated Medical; Dr. Kyle Kopko, executive director at the Center for Rural Pennsylvania; John Sider, vice president of business development at Ben Franklin Technology of Central and Northern Pennsylvania; Pet Grum, a venture partner in private equity for Advantage Capital; Stephan Levitsky, COO and vice president of sustainability for Phospholutions; Gregory Scott, president and CEO for the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County; and Betsy Lockwood, director of project development and grants for the Susquehanna Economic Development Association and Council of Governments.