Pennsylvania Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) joined members of the State House Republican Policy Committee and business leaders in identifying solutions to enhance the commonwealth’s economic competitiveness, support local enterprises, and attract new investment during a hearing held Tuesday.
“It is a privilege to hear from business leaders who share the same vision for a vibrant future in Pennsylvania,” said Ecker, vice chairman of the committee. “But, as policymakers, we cannot rest on our laurels. We need to continue to implement change so that the relationship between state government and industry can shift from punitive to collaborative.
“The decisions we make in Harrisburg need to be in the best interest of our business owners, employees and their families, and not in the interest of our politics,” Ecker said.
The hearing, titled “The Costs and Benefits of Doing Business in Pennsylvania,” led by Committee Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), took place at Shippensburg University and specifically addressed the challenges and opportunities within Pennsylvania’s business environment.
“Economic competitiveness is great, but economic dominance is better,” said Kail. “House Republicans are fighting for prosperity through job-creating reforms that will make this Commonwealth’s business environment more supportive of current workers and enticing to new ones.”
Testimonies were taken by Andy Williford, head of People and Culture at Volvo Construction Equipment; Darren Croxall, Shippensburg plant manager, and Justin Townley, corporate engineering leader at Schreiber Foods; and Joshua Simmons, complex general manager at International Paper.
“There are many reasons why Volvo Construction Equipment chose to be in Pennsylvania, but the two biggest were the strong workforce in the area and access to the I-81 corridor,” Williford testified. “With the strong economic growth in the areas we do business in, these are also big opportunity areas we want to partner with you to solve.”
Opening remarks during the hearing were given by Charles Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.