Apr. 21—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined Michele Buck, President and CEO of The Hershey Company, along with elected leaders, to open the new state-of-the-art Reese Chocolate Processing facility — Hershey’s first fully-integrated digital manufacturing plant and the first new manufacturing facility built at its headquarters in Dauphin County in over three decades.
The governor highlighted how this expansion, supported by his administration’s permitting reforms and economic development strategy, is a major win for Pennsylvania’s workforce, communities and economy.
“From day one, my administration has been laser-focused on getting stuff done for Pennsylvanians — building an economy that works for everyone, supporting job growth, and making it easier to do business here,” Shapiro said. “The new Reese plant is a shining example of what’s possible when government moves at the speed of business. Hershey is an iconic Pennsylvania company, and they chose to expand their footprint right here at home — in the sweetest place on Earth. By working together, we are building a business-friendly climate that makes it easier for Pennsylvania-made brands and business to expand, grow, and thrive in our Commonwealth. Hershey’s continued investment in Central Pennsylvania shows the world that the Commonwealth is open for business and ready to lead.”
The new 250,000-square-foot chocolate processing facility sits on a 55-acre site — large enough to hold five NFL fields — between the Hershey Technical Center and the existing Reese’s plant, located at 1000 Reese Ave. It will produce the chocolate used in a variety of beloved brands including Reese’s, KitKat, Symphony and Special Dark.
The facility is part of Hershey’s broader $1 billion investment strategy, which includes the addition of 13 new production lines and upgrades to 11 existing lines across North American facilities.
It will support more than 125 new jobs and build on Hershey’s long-standing legacy as a major employer in Pennsylvania, where the company already supports over 6,000 jobs.
The Shapiro administration also played a critical role in the project’s success by helping Hershey secure key permits — including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit — enabling the timely construction and operation of the plant, the governor said. Since he took office, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has improved review time-frames for this permit type by 15%, cutting the average approval process by eight days, Shapiro’s office said.
Shapiro’s proposed 2025-26 budget further focuses on implementing Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy to make the Commonwealth a leader in job creation, innovation and economic development, his office said.
DCED celebrates Bayer’s growth
Brent Vernon, Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) senior managing director of BusinessPA this week highlighted the Commonwealth’s support of Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry and helped cut the ribbon on the 70,000-square-foot expansion of the Bayer Consumer Health Manufacturing Operation in Lebanon County.
The multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company invested $44 million to expand its existing operation in Myerstown to increase production and packaging capabilities for its over-the-counter (OTC) products.
The expansion includes room for eight new packaging lines that will streamline and modernize Bayer’s operations.
“The Shapiro administration is committed to implementing the Governor’s Economic Development Strategy, which identifies life sciences as one of the key industries to focus on and ensure the long-term success of Pennsylvania,” Vernon said. “We’re thrilled to see Bayer double down on its commitment to the Commonwealth, signaling to the world that Pennsylvania is open for business and has the talent and resources necessary to support critical, life-saving work.”
Headquartered in Germany, Bayer touches both life sciences and agriculture — important industries that are included in Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.
“Our trusted brands have been helping people live healthier lives for generations. The Myerstown annex will enable us to bring science-backed products to market with more speed and reliability than ever before,” said Dave Tomasi, president of Bayer’s consumer health division in North America. “The expanded facility will further strengthen our commitment to providing safe, effective and high-quality self-care solutions that our consumers and customers can depend on.”
Pa. high court recognizes Autism Acceptance Month
In a demonstration of its ongoing efforts to create a more understanding and accommodating court system, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court formally recognized April as Autism Acceptance Month with the issuance of an official citation.
The citation emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive environments, supporting equal opportunities and treating all individuals with dignity and respect. It celebrates the contributions of advocates and self-advocates and reaffirms the Court’s commitment to awareness and acceptance within public service and the legal system.
“Autism Acceptance Month is a powerful reminder that our justice system must serve every Pennsylvanian with dignity, fairness and compassion,” said Chief Justice Debra Todd. “We are proud to support efforts that promote awareness, education and inclusivity, and to support the autism community.”
The recognition builds upon the work of Justice Kevin Dougherty, who has spearheaded the Autism in the Courts initiative since 2019. The program has focused on identifying barriers faced by individuals with autism within the legal system, improving training for court personnel and promoting best practices for communication and accessibility.
“This citation is not just symbolic — it’s a statement of our values,” said Justice Dougherty. “Through the Autism in the Courts initiative, we’ve listened to families, professionals and individuals with autism to understand how we can better serve them. We are committed to building a judiciary where every person is seen, heard and supported.”
The Court’s initiative has led to collaboration with stakeholders statewide, the development of educational resources for judges and court staff, and efforts to encourage greater public understanding of neurodiversity within the justice system.
Pa. moms support Shapiro’s proposal
Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal continues to invest in the health of mothers and babies, and directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to work with health providers to implement universal postpartum screenings for moms, and ensure doctors and nurses can identify signs of pregnancy-related depression more quickly, speeding up referrals to mental health professionals.
Postpartum depression affects one in eight mothers across the country. It not only impacts the well-being of Pennsylvania mothers, but also profoundly influences their families and communities.
Since taking office, Shapiro has charged his administration with finding ways to improve the health of mothers and babies. The Administration has prioritized using data and recommendations from the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee, feedback from a statewide survey and regional listening sessions to develop a multi-agency Maternal Health Strategic Plan.
Mothers have voiced their support for Shapiro’s efforts to provide universal postpartum depression screenings.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.