AGP Executive Report

Public Safety Funding: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal would add about $116M to the Pennsylvania State Police, aiming to hire roughly 380 new troopers, with part of the money tied to a proposed tax on legalized recreational marijuana. Housing & Community Development: Mercer County is set to receive $425,000 for affordable housing initiatives through PHARE, backing new home construction, blight cleanup, homebuyer counseling and down-payment help. Food Safety Inspections: Lancaster County restaurant inspections logged multiple “pass” results, with at least one food truck cited for hair restraint issues in food prep areas. Industrial Policy & Privacy: A Chester County judge dismissed challenges to a 1.5M-square-foot East Whiteland data center, calling the appeal frivolous, while lawmakers elsewhere push taxes on tech and new rules for smart glasses recording indicators. Energy & Supply Chains: REalloys secured access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock to support defense supply needs ahead of a 2027 deadline to reduce Chinese-origin magnet materials. Workforce & AI: A message to recent grads highlights mixed hiring expectations for 2026, with AI reshaping entry-level and white-collar tasks.

Smart-Glass Privacy Push: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced House Bill 2603 to require a visible recording light on smart glasses and similar wearables, aiming to curb hidden audio/video recording and block ways to disable the indicator. Cross-Border Trade & Energy: Gov. Josh Shapiro and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an MOU in Toronto to deepen cooperation across energy trade, critical minerals, manufacturing, and life sciences. Defense Supply Chain Minerals: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock tied to a Pentagon deadline to reduce Chinese-origin magnet materials. Skilled-Trades Workforce: Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling toured Luzerne County Community College’s trades programs, highlighting growing demand for skilled workers. Affordable Housing Funding: PHFA announced $93.4M in PHARE awards for 432 initiatives statewide, preserving and expanding affordable housing. COVID Testing Settlement: GS Labs will pay nearly $1M to Washington residents after claims of overcharging and delayed results. Local Infrastructure: Crews placed beams for the Karns Crossing Bridge replacement in Butler County, a $64.8M project slated to finish in spring 2028. Agriculture Trade Uncertainty: Farm groups pushed back after Trump questioned USMCA renewal, warning of risks to exports. Animal Cruelty Case: Court dates were set for Mifflinburg dog breeders facing 111 offenses each tied to alleged illegal kennel operations and animal neglect. Gas Prices: AAA reported gas prices falling for a third straight week, with Pennsylvania averaging $4.26.

Food Safety & Inspections: Chester County restaurant checks flagged issues like uncovered food and improper hot-holding temps at Cedar Creek Catering & Events, while several other local vendors passed. Workforce & Health Care: UPMC is cutting about 200 non-medical jobs and eliminating roughly 300 open positions across its Pittsburgh system, citing patient needs; SEIU says the move shifts more work onto already-stretched frontline staff. Retail & Pricing Policy: A push to curb grocery dynamic pricing is heating up as Pennsylvania lawmakers consider guardrails or bans on digitized price labels and “surveillance pricing.” Local Business Expansion: Onvo opened its 42nd Pennsylvania/New York travel plaza in Richmond Township near Mansfield, adding diesel/auto fuel, food, and a full Burger King plus driver shower facilities. School Security Partnerships: Southern Tioga School District is moving toward Act 55 compliance by partnering with the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office for full-time security coverage during school hours. Energy & Infrastructure: Pennsylvania is tightening standards for AI data center projects, while South Strabane adopted data center noise rules. Higher Ed & Training: IUP received a $2 million Appalachian Regional Commission grant to build a rural-focused simulation and diagnostic training facility for osteopathic and health sciences students. Tech & Competition: TensorWave raised $350M to build AI cloud infrastructure using AMD chips instead of Nvidia. Legislation: The House passed a digital advertising tax (HB 1678) that would expand Pennsylvania’s gross receipts tax to cover digital ads sold by major platforms.

Inflation & Consumer Pressure: May inflation hit 4.2% (three-year high), with energy costs tied to the Iran war keeping prices elevated and complicating hopes for rate cuts. Markets Jitters: Wall Street swung sharply as AI-related chip and memory stocks reversed course, underscoring how fast sentiment can change. Transportation/Infrastructure: Amtrak published “once-in-a-generation” design renderings for a major Penn Station overhaul, aiming to expand concourses, improve track capacity, and boost retail and wayfinding. Food & Retail Leadership: Onvo hired convenience-store foodservice veteran Ben Lucky as senior director of foodservice, signaling continued investment in c-store prepared food. Healthcare Accountability: A multistate settlement requires GS Labs to pay nearly $5M over alleged overpriced and delayed COVID-19 testing, with restitution and reimbursement for affected consumers. Energy & Fuel: GasBuddy reported the lowest E85 price in Schuylkill County at $4.03/gal (week ending May 30), reflecting ongoing regional fuel volatility. Agriculture & Safety: A new push targets paraquat’s health risks, renewing pressure on pesticide rules and bans. PFAS Regulation: Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a PFAS ban covering certain high-contact consumer products, aiming to reduce exposure from “forever chemicals.” Data Centers/Power Constraints: Grid congestion costs PJM about $1B in a month, highlighting the grid strain behind new generation and data-center demand.

Restaurant Safety: Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture posted recent risk-based restaurant inspection results in Reading, flagging issues like improper holding temperatures, missing date marking, and food handling/sanitation lapses. Food & Agriculture: A late April heat wave followed by a freeze devastated tree fruit in New Jersey and parts of the region, with growers warning the impact will ripple into the summer season. Accounting M&A: One of the Philadelphia region’s larger independent accounting firms, Isdaner & Co., was acquired by Aprio, adding to a continued wave of consolidation in the professional services industry. Energy & Utilities: A Pennsylvania House committee advanced a utilities rate bill aimed at limiting utility rate-of-return levels, a move that could affect how costs are passed to customers. Solar in Central PA: Centre County approved a third solar array phase at the correctional facility, targeting electricity cost offsets for county buildings. Logistics Crime: Eight people were indicted for impersonating shipping carriers in a retail theft ring, alleging nearly $5M in stolen goods tied to Pennsylvania logistics sites. Data Center Policy: Pennsylvania’s new GRID Standards set conditions for data center projects seeking state support like expedited permitting and tax benefits, raising compliance and coordination questions. Manufacturing/Industry: US Steel pledged up to $2.5B in upgrades to its Mon Valley Works, signaling continued investment in Pennsylvania steelmaking.

Invasive Species: Northern snakeheads (“Frankenfish”) are spreading across the Mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns they can disrupt native ecosystems and hurt fishing. Energy & Grid: Constellation’s Three Mile Island Unit 1 restart (Crane Clean Energy Center) cleared another regulatory step, with the NRC saying it would have no significant environmental impacts—aiming for power by late 2027. Skilled Trades Education: Schuylkill Technology Center won a $74,895 Competitive Equipment Grant to upgrade automotive and welding training tied to in-demand careers. Data Centers & Rates: State Rep. Nikki Rivera highlighted how hyperscale data centers could drive higher electricity bills, pointing to expected load growth and recent PPL/MetEd rate hikes. Manufacturing Jobs: Harley-Davidson will bring Revolution Max production back to U.S. facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, targeting more than 100,000 motorcycles at its York plant in 2027. Business Finance: Keel Infrastructure closed a $458M convertible senior notes offering to fund and expand digital/energy infrastructure projects. Consumer/Health: FDA expanded a recall of certain GO Raw freeze-dried and frozen pet foods linked to dangerously low thiamine levels. Local Economy & Community: WSFS Bank extended its naming rights partnership for the Philadelphia Union’s WSFS Bank Sportsplex through the 2030-31 MLS season.

Steel Investment: Nippon Steel plans to invest up to $2.5B in U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works over three years, including a new hot strip mill, projecting $1.7B in economic impact and up to 6,381 Pennsylvania jobs. Energy & Grid: A new look at the power sector says extreme heat is now being treated like a design baseline, with reliability planners flagging hotter summers plus aging infrastructure and rising demand. Data Centers & Power Lines: PPL’s proposed transmission lines for a Union County data center drew resident questions in Allenwood, with officials saying routes aren’t finalized and construction would include towers, substations, and access roads. Outdoors & Land Use: A letter urges extra scrutiny of high-voltage routes that appear to cut through Pennsylvania State Game Lands, warning about habitat disruption and long-term impacts. Healthcare Billing: The AHA filed an amicus brief backing relief from Aetna’s “level of severity” reimbursement policy, arguing mid-contract changes raise hospital burden and hurt transparency. Logistics & Security: Eight men were indicted for allegedly impersonating shipping companies to steal about $4.49M in cargo across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Retail & Tariffs: New tariff-refund class actions were filed against Ikea, Mondelez, and Abercrombie & Fitch, alleging companies improperly profited from tariff costs. Local Business Growth: Philadelphia is pursuing a strategic partnership with Ghanaian logistics players to expand trade links and connect West African agro-processing to the Port of Philadelphia. Workforce & Jobs: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick discussed the U.S. Steel “golden share” and how the federal government can veto certain major decisions tied to national mission and steel workers. Healthcare Construction: AHN and Highmark announced plans for a new full-service hospital in Cecil Township, targeting construction in early 2027 and opening in 2029, with hundreds of jobs expected. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 price in Bedford County at $3.98 for the week ending May 30, reflecting ongoing volatility tied to global oil and refinery conditions.

Energy & Grid Policy: Federal officials are weighing breaking up PJM, warning that data-center demand is straining the grid and pushing power bills higher—potentially forcing governance reforms or even a breakup. Data Centers & Local Control: Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D’Agostino told Stacy Garrity that municipalities should lead data-center decisions, arguing state guidance has fallen short on zoning and impacts. Legal & Consumer Tech: Pennsylvania’s online arbitration rules remain in legal limbo after the Supreme Court vacated a key decision in Chilutti v. Uber, leaving businesses unsure what standards apply. Transportation Tech: PennDOT launched a new 511PA events site with real-time traffic tools for major Philly summer events, including World Cup matches and July 4 celebrations. Manufacturing & Jobs: U.S. Steel outlined up to $2.5B in Mon Valley modernization, including a new hot strip mill, projecting thousands of jobs and major economic impact for Pennsylvania. Workplace/Health: Federal regulators and addiction experts are flagging concentrated 7-OH kratom products as an emerging public health risk, including reported severe reactions in Pennsylvania. Safety Watch: Pennsylvania authorities are warning people to stay out of quarries, citing hidden hazards like deep cold water, submerged rocks, and dangerous machinery. Energy Prices (Gas): GasBuddy reports show E15, E85, and diesel prices remain volatile across counties, with some of the lowest E15 and diesel deals clustered in specific locations.

Food Safety & Inspections: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture restaurant checks flagged issues at Boomerang Bar & Grill (broken freezer handle; missing equipment specs and temperature device access) and J L Market (improper thawing method; missing thermometer access; women’s restroom door not self-closing), while other spots like Steak Diner and Jino Sushi were reported with follow-up and pass results. Energy & Land Use: Caernarvon Township’s zoning board blocked a landfill solar project’s underground-line requirement, and the Chester County Solid Waste Authority and developer Coral Reef Partners are appealing, arguing underground transmission isn’t feasible; the solar plan would also power methane processing at the capped landfill. Infrastructure & Construction: PennDOT announced multiple Clearfield County road impacts, including a June 8 closure of Route 2017 for resurfacing detours and a June 8 bridge closure on Route 1006 (Gosen/Mount Joy Road) with detours expected to run into late August. Workforce & Skills: Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology highlighted NOCTI prep culture with hands-on rally events mixing welding, culinary, agriculture and business challenges. Public Health & Care Access: A complaint alleges a UPMC portal mismatch between Altoona and Pittsburgh is delaying access to test results, raising patient-safety concerns. Local Business: A new motorcycle repair shop and a rhythm-cycling fitness studio opened in central Pennsylvania, both emphasizing independence and community. Data Centers Backlash: A report notes fast-growing opposition to data centers in Pennsylvania as residents cite water, housing displacement, and quality-of-life impacts.

Energy & Prices: GasBuddy data shows midgrade prices easing statewide in the week ending May 30, with standout lows like $4.49 in Carbon County and $4.75 in Bedford County, while premium and diesel also varied widely by county. Grid & Power Demand: A new political flashpoint is forming around AI data centers, with reporting citing sharp electricity price pressure in Pennsylvania and rising global data-center demand. Utilities & Infrastructure Disruptions: The PA Turnpike’s Allegheny Mountain Tunnel reopened after a fire forced evacuation of about 150 people, creating major responder and traffic challenges. Manufacturing & Life Sciences: SCHOTT Pharma cut ribbon on an expanded vial production operation in Lebanon, highlighting continued investment in Pennsylvania’s life sciences. Workforce & Safety: Pa. lawmakers are weighing heat protections for workers as temperatures climb. Food Safety: The CDC expanded a Salmonella warning tied to moringa products, now reaching 119 cases across 36 states. Retail & Consumer Trends: A new Goodwill store in South Jersey is drawing Gen Z deal-hunters, reflecting thrift’s growing pull as prices rise. Sports & Local Economy: Morgan Wallen canceled his Saturday Acrisure Stadium show in Pittsburgh, citing severe adverse weather conditions after fans had already arrived.

Food Safety & Inspections: Dauphin County restaurant checks flagged a Courtyard Marriott Harrisburg/Hershey fail over expired sanitizer test strips, improper handwashing setup, and food residue; other nearby spots like Taco King and Coldstone Creamery passed. SNAP Work Rules: New federal SNAP work requirements are rolling out, and analysts warn uneven state and local enforcement could push recipients toward “easier” jurisdictions. Hollywood & Antitrust: Labor and entertainment groups rallied against Paramount-Skydance’s $110B Warner Bros. Discovery deal, arguing consolidation could mean fewer jobs and less competition as states prepare a legal challenge. Energy & Data Centers: A pushback story highlights how Pennsylvania’s data-center boom is driving grid upgrades and higher bills, with calls for stronger protections so families aren’t subsidizing industrial power demand. EV Firefighting Tech: Pennsylvania’s Shartlesville Fire Company received the first U.S. EV-Drill LANCE tool aimed at cooling lithium-ion battery fires. Local Agriculture & Community Markets: State College’s Downtown Farmers Market marked its 50th anniversary, tracing how it grew from a small local-goods push into a long-running hub for growers and residents. Transportation Disruptions: Severe storms triggered ground stops at major airports including Philadelphia and Newark, stranding thousands and knocking out power in parts of the region.

Data Center Backlash: Western Pa. ratepayers are pushing back on data centers as utilities seek costly grid upgrades tied to higher demand, arguing families shouldn’t subsidize the buildout without stronger state protections. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Pennsylvania fuel prices easing in the week ending May 30, with standout lows like Lackawanna premium at $4.99, York midgrade at $4.35, and E85 as low as $3.99 in Clarion—while diesel remains higher statewide (about $5.85 average). Severe Weather Prep: Western Pa. faces a Severe Weather Alert Day with damaging winds and localized flash flooding risks, plus hail and tornado potential. Food & Farming Support: Schuylkill County seniors can pick up Senior Farm Market Nutrition Program vouchers starting June 16 through Diakon Community Services, supporting local produce purchases. Workforce Scam Warning: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday urges job seekers to watch for fake online postings and schemes that ask for upfront money or personal info. Local Business Milestone: Hilton’s Electronic Security in Carlisle marks 45 years serving Central PA with commercial and residential security services.

Amazon Logistics: Pamelia’s first Amazon distribution center is “essentially done” and is on track for a fall opening, with the 77,400-square-foot facility expected to employ 150+ workers. Food Safety: Bedford County’s latest state inspections list multiple eateries with zero violations, while Bedford Valley Pit Stop and State Line Country Market logged higher counts. Energy Costs: A new analysis shows Pennsylvania residential electricity prices up about 13.6% year over year, with grid investment and rising demand (including data centers) cited as drivers. Data Center Backlash: Residents in Columbia packed a borough council meeting and helped stop a proposed data center land sale, arguing “working families over big tech.” Utility Rates: PPL customers are facing higher bills after PUC actions and rate settlements, including a base rate increase and new rate class structure tied to large load users like data centers. Workforce & Training: Washington & Jefferson College’s energy center will host a June 24 webinar on building commissioning to cut energy use and improve comfort. Community Food Access: Warren County’s Summer Food Service Program starts Monday with free meals at multiple sites.

PUC Rate Decision: PPL Electric Utilities won approval for a new rate class structure for large load customers, including data centers, with long-term commitments and a non-bypassable charge to support low-income customers; the change is tied to a broader distribution rate settlement that raises typical residential bills about $7 a month starting July 1. Grid & Data Centers: The PPL settlement also frames reliability and system upgrades while acknowledging growing demand from AI and data centers, with residential impacts averaging 3.23% on distribution rates. Construction & Infrastructure: Steel City Tunnel Partners (Lane/Brayman) landed a $1B contract for the Ohio River Tunnel to cut combined sewer overflows in the Pittsburgh region. Local Roads: PennDOT scheduled a weather-dependent one-lane restriction for the Karns Crossing bridge beam setting on June 10, with traffic routed via Route 68 and Route 422 ramps. Workforce & Childcare: Pennsylvania lawmakers heard testimony on childcare affordability and availability, with families saying they turn down jobs or leave the workforce when care isn’t accessible. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show volatile but mostly lower regional pump prices in late May, with several counties posting single-station “lowest” deals for regular, midgrade, and premium. Public Safety: Paul Miller’s distracted driving law is fully enforceable as of June 5, allowing handheld-device tickets statewide.

Healthcare Construction: AHN and Highmark plan a new ~150,000-square-foot, all-private-room hospital in Cecil Township at Southpointe II, aiming to start construction in early 2027 and open in 2029, replacing the current AHN Canonsburg Hospital. Rare Earths Supply Chain: REalloys signed a non-binding LOI with Patriot Exploration & Mining to secure up to 30% of Patriot’s rare earth production, supporting a domestic feedstock push for defense-grade magnet metals. Capital Markets: Keel Infrastructure priced upsized $400M convertible senior notes due 2032 (with an option for up to $58M more), backed by Bitfarms. Energy & Grid Pressure: Federal officials are weighing reforms—and even a possible breakup—of PJM Interconnection as data centers strain the grid and drive higher electricity bills across 13 states. Online Gambling Oversight: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced bipartisan bills to tighten online betting protections, including limits on deposit frequency, restrictions on credit-card funding, and stronger self-exclusion and prevention funding. Food Safety: FDA recalled De Dios’s Fruit Pops in NJ, NY, PA and CT due to undeclared allergens, warning of severe reaction risk. Infrastructure/Local Ops: PennDOT set a Goshen Road bridge closure near Clearfield starting June 8, with detours through late August. Public Safety: About 150 people were evacuated after a vehicle fire shut the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel on the PA Turnpike late Thursday.

Electric Rates: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a PPL Electric distribution settlement that raises bills again—about $7 a month on average starting July 1, with residential increases cut to roughly 4.9% versus the original proposal. Data Centers & Local Control: A Pennsylvania-based data center plan hit resistance as planners voted down a Clear Brook campus, reflecting growing scrutiny over impacts and planning capacity. AI, Power, and Politics: GOP lawmakers accused China of bankrolling U.S. data center protests, while broader coverage flags how AI demand is reshaping power markets and grid reliability. Manufacturing Outlook: A new survey finds Pennsylvania manufacturers plan to boost 2027 marketing budgets and hire more staff. Broadband Expansion: Omni Fiber acquired Citizens Fiber, expanding Western Pennsylvania’s fiber footprint with symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps. Energy Costs & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show Pennsylvania regular gas averaging $4.55 for the week ending May 30, with local lows like $4.22 in Monroe County and $3.99 in Montgomery County. Agriculture & Tourism: The Shapiro administration launched the 2026 Scooped Ice Cream Trail with 59 PA Preferred creameries, spotlighting dairy production and farm tourism.