April 01, 2025 - Reedsville, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County to highlight how strategic Commonwealth investments - like the Shapiro Administration's first-in-the-nation Agricultural Innovation Grant Program - are strengthening Pennsylvania's agriculture industry, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. These investments provide grants, loans, and technical support to farmers and businesses adopting cutting-edge technologies, spurring growth, improving efficiency, and ensuring Pennsylvania remains at the forefront of the industry. During the visit, the Governor and Secretary Redding toured the facility to see how Metzler will use its $550,000 in grant funding - announced in January - to enhance biochar production, improve energy efficiency, and expand its manufacturing capabilities.Governor Shapiro's visit comes amid growing economic uncertainty over new federal tariffs, particularly impacting Pennsylvania's nation-leading hardwoods industry, which plays a critical role in the Commonwealth's agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Since taking office, the Governor has placed significant emphasis on supporting and growing Pennsylvania's agriculture industry - bringing Democrats and Republicans together to invest in new technologies, strengthen supply chains, and drive economic growth for farmers and producers. He remains committed to ensuring Pennsylvania's farmers have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. The Commonwealth is home to 50,000 farms, contributing $132 billion to the economy and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs."From day one, my Administration has stood up for Pennsylvania's farmers and our ag sector - investing in innovation, expanding opportunity, and cutting costs. While the federal government imposes policies that hurt our economy, Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth - investing in agricultural innovation, supporting our manufacturers, and delivering real results for farmers and their families," said Governor Shapiro. "Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple. They make it harder for our farmers to do business, weaken their competitiveness in key markets, and trigger retaliatory tariffs on Pennsylvania goods. The last thing Pennsylvanians need is Washington, D.C., raising taxes and driving up costs I will keep working to cut costs, lower taxes, and create more economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians."Speaker list:Nate Metzler, General Manager, Metzler Forest ProductsGovernor Josh ShapiroStephanie Phillips-Taggart, Executive Director, Keystone Wood Products AssociationNick Gilson, Founder & CEO, Gilson SnowAgriculture Secretary Russell ReddingMifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish
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