That’s not to mention the vast downstream opportunities that will materialize for Pennsylvanians statewide. Shell chose Beaver County as the site of its ethane cracker plant - a game-changing, multibillion-dollar facility that will support up to 6,000 construction jobs and at least 600 full-time positions once completed. A total of 58 projects in 2016 alone will create 5,000 new, full-time jobs, and invest $150 million in the commonwealth - and if you didn’t hear, many of these projects are substantial: Thanks to Pennsylvania’s strategic location and skilled workforce, DCED and the Governor’s Action Team helped to create and retain 200,000 full-time jobs in 2016 as a result of our commitment to Governor Wolf’s “Jobs That Pay” initiative. And don’t just take our word for it - Harrisburg was just one of six total cities from across Pennsylvania recently ranked in the top 100 Best Places to Live by U.S. but whose Midtown neighborhood is home to one of our state’s burgeoning arts and cultural scenes, with everything from bustling nightlife and startup coworking spaces to repurposed art studios and quaint, farm-to-table eateries. Take a look at Harrisburg, which not only has rich history and one of the most famous State Capitol buildings in the U.S. Pennsylvania has many up-and-coming communities that boast expansive professional opportunities. For example, Pittsburgh was recently named one of the most affordable metro areas in the U.S., making it an ideal locale for finding a home and putting down roots. This is particularly true of millennials, who are redefining expectations when it comes to the communities we live and work in, and how and where we look for jobs.

We’re attracting and retaining new residents as more and more people realize this is the perfect place to work smart and live happy. Pennsylvania is holding steady to its rank as the fifth-most populous state in the nation. Let me tell you how Pennsylvania is redefining the “Rust Belt,” and why that term is a misnomer in 2017. The modern Keystone State is a far cry from the bleak picture painted above - today, we’re known for our innovation, imagination, and legendary can-do spirit.

Pennsylvania traditionally has been lumped into this category, particularly by the media. plagued by a declining population, a weakened economy, and urban decay due to a faltering industrial sector. Historically, the term “Rust Belt” has been used to characterize a portion of the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. MaSecretary Dennis Davin What does it mean to be a “Rust Belt” state?

Rust belt