Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth has secured a $42 million investment from nutritional snack food manufacturer Tandem Foods to expand operations in Allegheny County. The Shapiro Administration is investing $420,000 in the project, which will create 83 new jobs over the next three years and retain 446 existing, full-time positions. Tandem Foods chose Pennsylvania over California for this expansion project.
The company currently leases three facilities in O'Hara Township where it manufactures multiple lines of cold-slab bars, chocolate moulding, and more. For this expansion, Tandem will lease an additional 79,000-square-feet at the facility located at 615 Alpha Drive where it will install a new food production line dedicated to cold form bar manufacturing.
“Every investment we secure means new jobs, stronger local economies, and more opportunity for Pennsylvanians. With Tandem Foods choosing Pittsburgh, more people across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region will benefit,” said Governor Shapiro. “My Administration will continue making smart, strategic investments to help companies grow right here in the Commonwealth, because when businesses choose Pennsylvania, our workers and communities win.”
Coordinated by the Governor’s BusinessPA team, Tandem Foods received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $420,000 Pennsylvania First grant.
“Tandem Foods’ decision to expand its operations here in Pennsylvania is a testament to the strength of our manufacturing workforce, business climate, and supply chain,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “This investment will create 83 new jobs and retain hundreds of good-paying positions in Allegheny County, while helping a growing Pennsylvania company expand its footprint and compete in the global food manufacturing industry.”
Pennsylvania’s manufacturing and agriculture industries are crucial to the Commonwealth’s economy and contribute more than $116 billion and $132.5 billion each year, respectively. Each industry is also among the five key sectors prioritized in Governor Shapiro’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.
“Governor Shapiro placed agriculture at the center of the state’s economic development strategy and that vision is spurring companies like Tandem Foods to bring innovation, investment, and jobs to the Commonwealth,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “A strong food manufacturing sector makes Pennsylvania a place where farms and agriculture businesses can grow and succeed.”
Tandem Foods is a premier contract manufacturer in the food industry, specializing in the production of better-for-you snacks for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies and entrepreneurial brands. The company has eight facilities across the country, with their headquarters in O'Hara Township.
“The installation of our new cold-form line represents the single largest investment in Tandem Foods’ 40-year history and is a direct response to the sustained growth of our strategic partners and the exciting pipeline of new business we’re developing,” said Michael Buick, CEO, Tandem Foods. “We’re excited to make this investment in Pennsylvania, leveraging the skilled manufacturing workforce that we’ve relied on for years and with the support of Governor Shapiro and DCED.”
“I want to thank the Shapiro administration for continuing to invest in Allegheny County manufacturers and thank Tandem Foods for choosing Pittsburgh over California for this expansion,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “When we compete, we win. Our workforce is the best in the country, and I look forward to Tandem adding more employees in Allegheny County.”
"Tandem Foods’ decision to expand its footprint in O’Hara Township underscores southwestern Pennsylvania’s strength as a premier hub for advanced manufacturing and food production,” said Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference. “This $42 million investment by this home-grown company not only secures hundreds of existing jobs but creates new, high-quality opportunities for our regional workforce. We look forward to supporting the ongoing success of Tandem Foods as we continue to unlock new manufacturing growth, create opportunity and drive long-term economic prosperity in our region."
Shapiro Administration’s Progress to Grow Pennsylvania’s Workforce and Strengthen the Economy
From day one, Governor Shapiro has been laser-focused on delivering results for the people of Pennsylvania — and it’s working.
In every corner of the Commonwealth, businesses are expanding and creating real opportunities for Pennsylvanians — from Philips in Mifflin County, Burlington Stores Inc. in Philadelphia, Chobani in Lehigh County, Gerard Daniel in York County, Brunk Industries in Armstrong County, GE Vernova in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, The Wenger Group in Adams County, CCL Container in Mercer County, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Berks County, Ezeflow in Lawrence County, Nokia in Lehigh County, Kurt J. Lesker in Allegheny and Centre Counties, Vylor in Delaware County, Bonduelle in Philadelphia, Mondi Bags in Allegheny County, WebFX in Harrisburg, Premier Brands of America in Lackawanna County, John Brothers Holdings in Union County, TerraPower Isotopes in Philadelphia, Schreiber Foods in Cumberland County, Berwick Industries in Columbia County, Johnson & Johnson in Montgomery County, Eli Lilly in Lehigh County, Eurofins in Lancaster County, Calgon Carbon Corporation in Pittsburgh, DrinkPAK in Philadelphia, Farm Plast in Lycoming County, US Durum in Dauphin County, First Quality in Mifflin County, Eos in Allegheny County, Nichols Portland in Elk County, Imperial Systems in Mercer County, Qualex in Venango County, and Tate in York County.
Pennsylvania’s Business Climate and Growing Economy Is Earning National Recognition
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made Pennsylvania more competitive — securing over $43 billion in private-sector investment while creating nearly 29,000 good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth and earning national recognition.
- Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, based on analysis done by Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi.
- The Commonwealth was recently ranked the top state for business in the Northeast by CNBC in its Top States for Business in America rankings ― the highest Pennsylvania has been ranked in 15 years.
- Last year, according to a new analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Commonwealth ranked third in the nation for job growth.
- Area Development ranked Pennsylvania among the top 20 “Best States for Business” — the only Northeastern state to make the list — and placed the Commonwealth in the top 10 for “Site Readiness Programs.”
- Site Selection Magazine named Pennsylvania one of the top business climates in the nation.
- Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Pennsylvania ranks among the top states in the nation for five-year new business survival.
The Governor’s 2026-27 budget builds on this momentum by investing in long-term economic growth and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win. Secured in the new budget, Pennsylvania’s Innovate in PA 2.0 program will disperse $125 million for promising startups, fund clinical trials for the life sciences, and enhance the Commonwealth’s innovation network to help these companies succeed.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy, to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.
Read more about the 2026-27 budget, view the Governor’s remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor’s delivered remarks.