Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro gave Erie a shout-out. Twice.
The governor spotlighted both the city and the county during his fourth state budget proposal Feb. 3 in Harrisburg, praising a local youth mentoring program and entrepreneurs driving economic growth — proof, he said, that state funding can make a real difference in communities across the commonwealth.
Shapiro highlights Erie’s Police Athletic League
Shapiro recognized Capt. Tom Lenox of the Erie Bureau of Police for his work mentoring local youth through Erie’s Police Athletic League.
“Capt. Tom Lenox leads Erie’s Police Athletic League, where he helps coach and mentor 1,700 young people from the community,” Shapiro said. “He gets to know these kids and is a real source of inspiration for them. We need more of that in our Commonwealth.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro made his 2026-27 budget proposal before the General Assembly at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2026.
The governor tied Lenox’s work to broader state initiatives, highlighting the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, which has directed $97 million to Erie’s PAL and other violence prevention programs.
“And it’s working. We’ve more than doubled state funding for these initiatives,” Shapiro said.
Capt. Tom Lenox of the Erie Bureau of Police looks on as Gov. Josh Shapiro made his 2026-27 budget proposal before the General Assembly at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3.
Erie’s PAL has grown in less than a decade from 35 students and six officers at one school to 1,700 children and 120 officers at 27 locations around the city.
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The city of Erie highlighted Shapiro’s recognition of Lenox on its Facebook page, calling it “a special moment.”
Lenox attended Shapiro’s Feb. 3 address.
Troyers hailed for job growth
As he shifted from public safety to economic growth, Shapiro recognized a family business in Erie County that he said reflects the state’s recent job gains.
“In Erie County, where Colton and Zack Troyer — fourth-generation potato farmers — are developing a new brand of organic potato products and creating 50 local manufacturing jobs,” Shapiro said.
Zachary Troyer, left, Co-Founder of Folkland Foods talks with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a tour to announce a major investment in the organic french-fry plant in Waterford Township on Oct. 23, 2024. Shapiro praised the Troyers for their job growth during his budget address on Feb. 3.
Shapiro cited the Troyers while outlining what he described as record levels of job creation and private investment under his administration.
“This is a testament to all of us coming together and prioritizing economic development,” Shapiro said, crediting the leadership of Secretary Rick Siger, who leads the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Troyers win grant: Troyer Growers wins $3 million state grant for organic french fries. How it will be used
Shapiro has previously highlighted the Troyers’ business, Folkland Foods, an organic frozen french fry company in Waterford Township. The $7 million project, supported by a $3 million state grant, is expected to create up to 50 local manufacturing jobs.
The Troyers are a fourth-generation farming family and among Pennsylvania’s largest potato growers, best known locally for Troyer Farms, the snack food company the family operated for decades.
Local officials attend address
Local officials who attended the address included Erie County Executive Christina Vogel; Erie Mayor Daria Devlin; Reps. Bob Merski, Patrick Harkins and Ryan Bizzarro; Captain Tom Lenox; Kim Thomas, executive director of Infinite Erie; Brandon Mendoza, president and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership; and Tim NeCastro, president and CEO of Erie Insurance.
Contact A.J. Rao at arao@gannett.com or 814-440-5080.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie gets double mention in Shapiro’s budget address. What did he say?