AGP Executive Report

Energy & Defense Infrastructure: The U.S. Army is awarding conditional long-term land leases for resilient power projects at six installations, including Letterkenny Army Depot (Pennsylvania) and Tobyhanna Army Depot (Pennsylvania), with plans ranging from battery storage to fuel cells and microreactors. Grid & Data Centers: Amazon says it’s stopping the use of nondisclosure agreements with local officials tied to data center deals, while also pledging $1B over five years for community college, workforce training, and energy-efficiency upgrades. Consumer & Health Costs: Pennsylvania Attorney General Fitch is urging consumers to check eligibility for compensation from the generic drug settlement, as multistate distribution plans move forward. Manufacturing Spotlight: Channellock is teaming with W.R. Case & Sons and Zippo to mark Manufacturing Day with a limited edition set. Food Safety: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspection reports show both passes and a notable fail at Harvest Lancaster tied to handwashing and raw-to-ready-to-eat handling issues. Local Business Growth: Chicken Salad Chick announced new Northeast development momentum, including a Pennsylvania opening in the Lehigh Valley.

Data Centers & Power: CoreWeave CEO Brian Venturo says GPU demand will keep the AI boom strong through 2027, pushing back on claims that power limits and local opposition will slow projects. Energy Policy: States and cities, including Pennsylvania’s governor, sued the Trump administration over EPA’s repeal of coal-and-gas power plant emissions limits. Utilities in Pennsylvania: The PA Public Utility Commission approved a settlement that cuts UGI Gas Division’s requested rate changes by nearly 35% while adding customer-service, income-qualified programs, and gas-safety measures. Industrial Finance: Quaker Houghton closed a $550M 7-year Term Loan B refinancing, extending maturities and reducing near-term debt payments. Legal/Consumer Costs: A coalition of AGs sought court approval for a $400M nationwide Sandoz settlement over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Workforce/Immigration: USCIS reported 66 H-2B manufacturing approvals in North Dakota (100% rate) for fiscal 2026 through June 30. PennDOT: PennDOT opened a public survey on construction and maintenance customer satisfaction through Oct. 20.

Energy & AI Infrastructure: Amazon-backed upgrades are set to boost Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear output by about 10% after a deal with Constellation, a reminder that AI power demand is reshaping regional generation plans. Solar Finance: CleanChoice Energy closed about $166M in financing for two solar projects, including a Pennsylvania Kylertown site (~28MWdc) targeting commercial operation in 2027. Manufacturing Supply Chains: Pantheon Electric hit 33% recycled copper companywide, anchored by its Leetsdale, Pa. facility, as electrification and AI strain raw copper availability. Consumer & Retail: Montgomery County prosecutors charged 46 businesses over alleged illegal THC products, including gummies reportedly topping 1,000 mg. Local Economy & Housing: A stalled Pittsburgh Hazelwood housing project is spotlighted as a test of whether development can avoid displacement. Business Growth: Assurance Financial added a Greensburg, Pa. mortgage team. Food & Beverage Industry: Kerry opened a coffee extraction facility in Bethlehem, expanding premium coffee processing capacity for East Coast customers. Higher Ed & Tech: Ken Griffin’s $3B CMU gift ties Pittsburgh roots to a new Miami campus. Labor Market: Pennsylvania released August regional unemployment data, with the Philadelphia-area rate at 4%.

Generic Drug Antitrust: Wyoming AG Keith Kautz urged Pennsylvanians to file claims tied to a multistate settlement over alleged generic-drug price conspiracies, with eligibility tied to purchases from May 2009–Dec. 2019. Data Center Power Fight: A Senate vote blocked a bill aimed at shifting more grid-infrastructure costs for large data centers away from ratepayers, keeping the political pressure on AI buildouts. THC Crackdown: Montgomery County charged 46 businesses for selling illegal THC products after an undercover investigation, setting up preliminary hearings and potential license consequences. Water Planning: The Delaware River Basin Commission released a drought-readiness screening report for key Pennsylvania tributaries used for drinking water, power, and industry. Diesel Squeeze on Farms: Record diesel prices are raising costs for Pennsylvania harvest operations, with farmers warning that everything—from inputs to transport—gets hit. Manufacturing Deal: Gladstone Investment closed its acquisition of Irwin’s Extrude Hone, a precision finishing supplier serving aerospace, automotive, and heavy industry. Higher Ed & Tech: Carnegie Mellon announced a major Miami campus push backed by a $3B Ken Griffin gift, with major funding also earmarked for Pittsburgh and computer science. Public Health/Health Care: Independence Blue Cross agreed to a $22.5M Medicare Advantage risk-adjustment settlement over alleged inaccurate diagnoses.

Affordability Pressure: A new campaign says 7 in 10 Pennsylvanians are squeezed by rising costs, with pop-up “feels the squeeze” stops in Langhorne, Harrisburg, Scranton and Bethlehem highlighting gas, groceries, health care and child care. Food & Safety: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture restaurant inspection updates show a mix of passes and targeted corrections, including temperature-control and sanitation issues. Energy Costs & Equity: A report says utility bill assistance programs are funded only by residential customers, pushing costs onto ratepayers as energy prices rise—while businesses and factories argue they shouldn’t pay. Gaming Crackdown: Pennsylvania’s AG moves to require “skill games” devices be removed by Oct. 14, setting up enforcement and a major policy fight for small operators. Data Centers Backlash: A national look at growing opposition notes communities are pushing back over energy, land and price impacts, while tech and unions form alliances to counter moratoriums. Manufacturing & Workforce: The Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association event spotlights workforce development priorities tied to classroom training and pre-apprenticeship pathways. Local Industry Spotlight: Wellsburg’s 47th Applefest returns this weekend, celebrating the region’s apple heritage.

Human Trafficking Enforcement: Pennsylvania lawmakers are building momentum in Harrisburg after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed new measures, including hospitality staff training and tougher penalties for child trafficking, with the AG’s office expanding investigative authority. Trade & Energy Costs: Rep. Mike Kelly visited Erie to discuss U.S.-Canada trade tensions as Washington moves to ban certain Canadian imports, while he notes gas prices are largely driven by global market forces. Roadwork & Construction Feedback: PennDOT is asking residents for input on construction and maintenance performance through Oct. 20, including how people use 511PA and how often they report concerns. Manufacturing Expansion: DrinkPAK’s $195M Philadelphia buildout in the Bellwether District is progressing, targeting at least 174 new jobs and strengthening East Coast canned beverage manufacturing. Data Privacy & Breach Claims: Edelson Lechtzin is investigating multiple breach-related class actions tied to Bee, Bergvall & Co. and United Underwriters, urging affected people to seek free case evaluations. Gaming Compliance: Pa. AG Dave Sunday is warning businesses to remove “skill games” devices by Oct. 14 or face prosecution and seizures after the state Supreme Court ruling. Invasive Species Watch: Spotted lanternfly is deepening its foothold in the Finger Lakes, raising pressure on regional vineyards and fruit growers. Cybersecurity: Reporting highlights the ShinyHunters hacking group’s claims involving sensitive FBI data, underscoring ongoing breach risks for institutions. Infrastructure Work: PennDOT says a Route 879 bridge rehabilitation contractor will mobilize soon, with limited traffic impacts expected around late September into early October.

Geothermal Policy Push: InnerSpace Action named Drew Nelson executive director to expand geothermal advocacy after legislative wins in six states, including Pennsylvania. Gaming Compliance: Pa. AG Dave Sunday urged businesses to remove “skill games” terminals by Oct. 14 or face seizure and possible criminal charges after a Supreme Court ruling. Downtown Revitalization: Harrisburg officials unveiled a $64M plan to upgrade streets, storefronts, and the riverfront, aiming to spur local business activity. Automation in Higher Ed: EDMO released a 2026 report showing admissions still relies heavily on manual transcript/credit review, with staffing and fraud concerns rising. Skilled Trades Pipeline: New Pig pledged $20,000 to The Rivet at Discovery Space to bring handheld laser welding training to Central Pennsylvania makers. AI + Public Safety: OMNIQ’s Q Shield™ Safe City platform launched in Pennsylvania via two municipal agreements for vehicle registration enforcement. AI Infrastructure Deals: Axe Compute reported $184M in customer prepayments and $266M in new AI infrastructure contracts since its last update. Data Center Backlash Fight: A coalition of Big Tech, unions, and private equity is pushing state standards to head off data-center moratoriums, including in Pennsylvania. Manufacturing/Industry Support: NWIRC in Erie is set to benefit from a federal NIST-linked grant supporting small- and mid-sized manufacturers.

Data Centers & Power: Archbald is holding back-to-back hearings on a 400-megawatt natural gas power plant and seven data centers, with residents pushing for more detailed plans before approvals. AI Infrastructure Pushback: A coalition of AI firms, private equity and unions is forming the American Infrastructure Alliance to set data-center standards in 2027 across states including Pennsylvania, aiming to blunt local moratoriums. Local Deals & Community Resistance: A developer offered $10,000 checks to households to win support for a Hazle Township mega data center, but many residents say they’ll still oppose the project. Consumer & Fraud Enforcement: Pennsylvania’s AG Tim Griffin kicked off a Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit with 800+ registrants, covering scams, price gouging, robocalls and AI deepfakes. Retail/Manufacturing Compliance: USDA recalled 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat Korean chicken stew distributed in eight states, citing import inspection issues. Food Safety & Agriculture: Turkey disease reports at an avian pathology meeting described E. cecorum abscesses and flock culling after spinal lesions. Policy Watch: Pennsylvania lawmakers face a tight window to regulate skill games after a state Supreme Court ruling could trigger seizures.

Defense & Manufacturing: The U.S. Army picked Vulcan Elements to supply rare-earth magnets for SkyFoundry’s small-drone push, with the goal of producing up to one million drones a year at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania, underscoring the push to bring magnet production fully onshore. Energy & Grid: The DOE announced $1.9B in federal grants for transmission upgrades under SPARK to add 23 GW of capacity and ease congestion—aimed at keeping electricity flowing as data centers and other demand grow. Real Estate & Construction: Philadelphia’s Logan Square office-to-apartment conversion at 2100 Arch St. is underway, targeting 116 units and delivery in late 2027/early 2028 after lender delays. Agri-Tourism: Airbnb is recruiting Pennsylvania farmers to host guests, partnering with American Farmland Trust and offering grants up to $10,000 to expand farmstays. Food & Safety: FDA-linked recalls expanded: Berlin Seeds recalled alfalfa sprouting seed sold in 44 states after it was traced to an outbreak-linked sprout grower. Local Business: Orrstown Bank launched a redesigned Orrstown.com to improve online access and client experience. Industry Workplace Risk: A worker was reportedly pinned and killed at Cleveland-Cliffs’ Monessen coke plant, prompting coroner involvement.

Data Centers & Grid Reliability: Pennsylvania regulators warn that rapid data center growth around Philadelphia could drive supply shortfalls and more frequent outages, with worst-case blackouts projected up to 13 days per year by 2030. Energy Infrastructure Funding: The U.S. Department of Energy is set to invest nearly $2B in grid upgrades, including projects in Pennsylvania, aiming to boost transmission capacity and reliability as demand rises. Local Data Center Pushback: Residents in Newport Township (Nanticoke area) packed a meeting to question permits for 15 data centers and three gas generation facilities, urging more oversight and community input. Utility/Market Moves: National Fuel Gas says it expects to complete a plan to split into two publicly traded businesses, separating its upstream operations from its regulated utility and pipeline/storage assets. Food Safety: FDA recall alerts include nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar recalled across eight states (including Pennsylvania) over possible undeclared wheat, plus a separate cinnamon recall tied to elevated lead levels. Construction & Theft: Pennsylvania State Police seek a suspect accused of stealing $82k+ in power tools from construction sites, including targets tied to the Amish community.

Food Safety & Recalls: FDA-linked recall alerts are hitting Pennsylvania shoppers: Maryland testing found elevated lead in Lior Ground Cinnamon sold in six states (including PA), with no illnesses reported but a warning for repeated exposure—especially for young children. Public Health: A federal warning also targets imported Ecuador black clams tied to a hepatitis A outbreak; CDC/FDA say the product may have reached restaurants and retailers in PA and other states. Energy & Reliability: A nor’easter slammed the East Coast, knocking out power for tens of thousands across the region, including Pennsylvania, and disrupting hundreds of flights. Agriculture Costs: Pennsylvania farmers are bracing for harvest-time strain as record diesel prices push operating costs sharply higher, adding uncertainty for family farms. Utilities & Medical Access: Pennsylvania lawmakers are circulating a proposal to protect residents who rely on life-sustaining medical devices by requiring outage planning, an opt-in backup-power registry, and limits on shutoffs. Workforce/Industry Tech: The U.S. Army tested a Performance Drone Works C100X drone at Fort Indiantown Gap, part of efforts to replicate realistic threats for training. Local Business: Delaware County launched a doula directory to expand maternity support as prenatal options shrink in the Philly suburbs.

Food Safety: FDA classified a recall of nearly 1.7 million pounds of light brown and powdered sugar as Class II due to possible wheat kernel contamination, affecting brands including United, Crystal Sugar, and Target’s Good & Gather, with Pennsylvania among the eight states listed. Energy & Agriculture: Record Pennsylvania diesel prices near $6.61 a gallon are squeezing farm operations, with Pennsylvania Farm Bureau warning of tough viability decisions for family farms. Infrastructure: Gov. Josh Shapiro and PennDOT announced $250 million for 79 rapid road projects across 44 counties, aiming to speed repairs and reduce deterioration. Grid & Data Centers: The U.S. committed about $19 billion to upgrade the electricity grid to handle surging data center demand tied to AI. Public Safety: Pennsylvania State Police unveiled “Callout Village” and a new procurement and supply warehouse as part of a roughly $400 million academy modernization. Weather Disruption: A nor’easter brought flooding, power outages, and hundreds of flight cancellations/delays across the Northeast, including impacts reaching Pennsylvania.

Data Center Fight in Lehigh Valley: Palmerton-area officials are weighing a proposed data center in Lower Towamensing Township, with residents urging “due diligence” and concerns focused on water impacts; a Save Carbon County organizing meeting is set for Oct. 1 in Palmerton. Local Government & Infrastructure: Slatington Borough Council approved a $13,842 change order for Fifth Street sidewalk/roadway work, advanced 2027 budget planning, and discussed vegetation and parking/visibility issues. Manufacturing Expansion in PA: Tandem Foods will expand in O’Hara Township with a new cold-form bar production line, backed by a $420,000 Pennsylvania First grant, aiming to create 83 jobs. Energy Grid Push: The U.S. Department of Energy will spend nearly $2B on power-grid upgrades across 26 states, with PPL noting multiple data centers coming online or under construction in its territory. Food Safety Recall: FDA announced a recall of Galil Importing’s Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning in six states, including Pennsylvania, due to elevated lead levels. Securities Deadlines (Investor Watch): Faruqi & Faruqi flagged upcoming lead-plaintiff deadlines for Wise (Sept. 29), Pentair (Oct. 2), Capricor (Sept. 28), Bloom Energy (Sept. 28), Rackspace Technology (Sept. 28), Blaize (Oct. 5), ARS Pharmaceuticals (Oct. 5), Alarum (Oct. 5), and Datavault AI (Oct. 5).

Retail & Real Estate: Clearview Mall in Butler is trying to reverse heavy vacancy, with new owner 4th Dimension Properties launching a retailer-focused outreach campaign to fill storefronts. Workforce & Training: Philly Youth Basketball is building The Generator, a $50M workforce hub in Nicetown aimed at training 18–29 year olds for skilled trades, healthcare, tech, and entrepreneurship, with a planned opening in early 2029. Auto Retail Restructuring: Pep Boys will eliminate about 169 corporate jobs in Bala Cynwyd as part of a merger-driven reorganization under Mavis. Energy Grid Modernization: The U.S. Department of Energy is committing $2B for smart grid upgrades, including a PPL-linked $71.5M transmission modernization project in northern Pennsylvania. Electric Reliability: A Pennsylvania PUC report shows fewer reportable outages in 2025 than 2024, but nearly 2.9M customers were still affected. Food Safety: Galil Importing recalled Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning sold in six states including Pennsylvania after elevated lead was found. Manufacturing/Business Results: Webco Industries reported higher fiscal 2026 sales and net income, posting $18.3M net income for the year. Legal/Regulatory: A federal appeals ruling upheld Pennsylvania’s milk-bond requirement, rejecting a New Jersey seller’s interstate commerce challenge.

PennDOT Construction: Route 30 bridge replacement work in Franklin County kicks off with shoulder reconstruction starting Oct. 5, including weekday lane shifts eastbound between Route 997 and Golf Course Road; the $4.67M project runs through Nov. 2, 2028. Cancer & Biotech: Penn Medicine’s mRNA cancer vaccine work is tied to a late-stage melanoma trial now reported as a first mRNA cancer vaccine success, with Merck and Moderna set to share full results next month. Transit Planning: SEPTA’s “Accelerate” vision lays out a modernization push for 2032—new Market-Frankford Line trains and more frequent service, plus accessibility upgrades for Regional Rail stations—if Harrisburg funding lands. Energy & Grid Capacity: A commentary argues retiring coal sites could be repurposed to meet faster-than-expected load growth from data centers and electrification, emphasizing the value of existing interconnection and infrastructure. Mining Reclamation: Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is seeking permits to reclaim hazards at the Harlansburg Southeast mine in Scott Township. Food & Processing Grants: Shapiro’s administration awards more than $130K to two York County meat processors to expand capacity and improve safety, with another grant round opening soon. Agriculture Pest Control: A Penn-trained detection dog program targets spotted lanternfly eggs, supporting biological and field research to protect crops. Local Business Costs: Central Pennsylvania small businesses face pressure as gas prices climb above $4.50, hitting vehicle-dependent operations.

Road Funding Boost: Gov. Josh Shapiro and PennDOT rolled out $775M for rapid road deployment, including Route 378 in Bethlehem, with $250M earmarked for 79 projects statewide. Education & Workforce: Philadelphia school selection is delayed because PSSA scores are missing, while CMU shared preliminary Greene County workforce findings with Waynesburg University. Energy & Industry: Shale Insight in Erie highlighted natural gas safety and sustainability tech as Pennsylvania looks to meet demand. Manufacturing Expansion: Tandem Foods will invest $42M in Allegheny County to expand snack production, adding 83 jobs over three years. AI Infrastructure Watch: Reuters reports Oracle’s force majeure notice tied to a New Mexico data center project is cooling AI financing sentiment, with lenders asking tougher risk questions. Consumer & Compliance: USPTO disciplined a patent attorney for using AI that generated incorrect citations in an Eastern District of Pennsylvania case. Food Safety: Galil Importing recalled Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning over potential elevated lead levels. Local Economy: Whole Foods named 10 emerging brands for its 2026 accelerator, including Pennsylvania-based Folkland Foods.