Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the Shapiro Administration has secured a $9.75 million investment from Conair, part of Piovan Group North America (PGNA) to expand its manufacturing operations in Venango County. The Administration is investing $845,000 in the project, creating 126 new jobs over the next three years and retaining 273 existing, full-time positions. Pennsylvania successfully competed against other states for this project, including Ohio and West Virginia.
Conair’s primary manufacturing facility at 455 Allegheny Boulevard in Franklin has reached capacity and can no longer support its future growth. The company will use their investment to lease a 157,760-square-foot building at 325 Buffalo Street in Franklin — previously occupied by Joy Manufacturing, which ceased operations in 2017. The 455 Allegheny Boulevard facility will continue assembling Conair products, while the Buffalo Street location will add fabrication, machining, and powder coating capacity, with fabrication expected to begin in early 2027.
“Pennsylvania’s manufacturing strength extends far beyond our biggest cities. Securing investments from companies like Conair proves we can attract good-paying jobs and real opportunities in both our urban and rural communities,” said Governor Shapiro. “This is a big deal for Venango County and our economic development strategy is ensuring businesses have what they need to grow, innovate, and create opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth. We’re focused on building an economy that works for every Pennsylvanian and we’re going to keep competing for the investments that will make our communities even stronger.”
Coordinated by the Governor’s BusinessPA team, PGNA received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for an $805,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $40,000 WEDNetPA grant to train its workers.
“Conair’s revitalization of a shuttered manufacturing facility is a big win for the company, community, and the Commonwealth,” said DCED Secretary Siger. “This investment will breathe new life into a site that has sat vacant for almost a decade, creating new opportunities for workers, and strengthening the economic foundation of Venango County and the surrounding region. The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting projects that bring new investment to rural Pennsylvania, build on our manufacturing strengths, and help communities turn underutilized assets into engines of economic growth.”
The Governor’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy is a targeted plan designed to help Pennsylvania win and become a national leader in economic development, innovation, and job creation. Manufacturing is one of the key industries outlined in the strategy that will help Pennsylvania build on its competitive advantages and create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.
The Conair Group is a leading supplier of auxiliary equipment and systems for plastics processors, with solutions spanning drying, conveying, blending, heat transfer, size reduction, and downstream extrusion. Backed by decades of application expertise and responsive service and support, Conair helps plastics manufacturers improve product quality, increase efficiency, and keep production running reliably. Conair operates within Piovan Group North America (PGNA), part of Italy-based Piovan Group, a global leader in the design and manufacture of industrial automation systems for the storage, transport, and processing of polymers, plastic powders, and food ingredients.
“Conair has been manufacturing in Franklin for more than 70 years, and this expansion reflects our commitment to our employees, our customers, and this community,” said Jon Lashley, Executive Vice President of The Conair Group. “Adding fabrication, machining, and powder coating capabilities will give us greater control over quality and lead times and help us respond more quickly to our customers’ needs. We appreciate the Commonwealth’s support as we invest in Conair’s future and create new opportunities in Franklin.”
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 Merck in Montgomery County, GSK in Montgomery County, CP Industries in Allegheny County, Bell & Evans in Lebanon County, Tandem Foods in Allegheny County, 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 2026-27 budget signed by Governor Shapiro 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 build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.
Read more about Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget, view the Governor’s remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor’s delivered remarks here.