Congressional leaders and industry executives convened in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this week to strategize on accelerating regional growth in energy, manufacturing, and workforce development. The two-and-a-half-hour roundtable, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, served as a critical platform to align federal policy with local economic success models. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, emphasized the "incredible opportunity" to expand Pennsylvania's energy economy and support businesses through targeted investments in technical education and infrastructure.

The discussion, held at the Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Thompson Professional Development Center, focused on three core priorities: workforce development, manufacturing and technology infrastructure, and energy services and small business growth. Panelists from educational institutions like Penn College and industry leaders such as Coterra highlighted effective regional models for preparing students for high-demand energy and technical careers. A key proposal involved replicating Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program at a national level to incentivize private-sector investment in career and technical education.

Industry innovators stressed the urgent need for modernizing permitting systems and expanding access to reliable energy infrastructure. With surging energy demands driven by advancements in AI and manufacturing reshoring, speakers advocated for regulatory certainty and policies supporting domestic production, including new investments in power transmission and localized supply chains. Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, cited the expansion of Prysmian Group, which manufactures aluminum cable for the Midwest Grain Belt Express electricity grid, as a testament to regional success in this area.

Discussions also covered opportunities within energy services and small business growth. Representatives from companies like Repsol and Seneca Resources shared insights on operating in Pennsylvania’s natural gas fields, focusing on extracting critical minerals from brine water, reducing emissions, and fostering small service companies. The importance of stable tax policy, streamlined oversight, and federal support for community investment was underscored. Larry Allison Jr., owner of Allison Crane & Rigging, a business deeply connected to the oil and gas fields, voiced concerns about rising operational costs and the need for continued capital investment, while also highlighting the broader energy sector's potential, referencing a recent Pittsburgh summit where $92 billion in energy projects were announced.

Furthermore, the roundtable highlighted specific local successes, including AA Metal Specialities' acquisition of Chance Aluminum and plans for a new plant employing up to 400 people, and Verne Inc.'s upcoming Muncy facility to produce compressed hydrogen storage tanks for over-the-road trucks, creating 61 jobs and networking with local designers like PMF Inc. Congressman Meuser concluded by affirming Pennsylvania's unique position to lead America's energy and manufacturing renaissance, advocating for federal policies that reinforce local strengths and remove bureaucratic barriers to growth.