DCED invests nearly $5M to support sporting events all across Pennsylvania

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger this week announced a nearly $5 million investment in 15 sporting events across Pennsylvania through DCED’s Sports Marketing and Tourism Program.

These grants are helping attract more visitors to Pennsylvania and supporting major events like the 2026 Major League Baseball All Star Game and 2026 FIFA World Cup, both in Philadelphia, and the 2026 PGA Championship in Newtown Square.

The grants also support other exciting and impactful events like the 2026 State Games of America in State College, the 2026 USCAA Small College Baseball and Softball World Series in Dubois, and 2026 Banana Ball World Tour, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in Allentown.

The Sports Marketing and Tourism Program was created to attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to Pennsylvania. The program capitalizes on the influx of tourism that comes with hosting a major national or international event, which can increase sales for both large and small businesses in the surrounding area and in turn boost the regional economy.

“This year, Pennsylvania is hosting a wide variety of exciting sporting events all across the state — events that will bring millions of visitors, generate significant economic impact, and support jobs and businesses across the Commonwealth,” Siger said. “We’re ready to welcome fans from around the globe and ensure their experience keeps them coming back again and again. From top-tier sports and major events to award-winning restaurants, world-class outdoor recreation, and the historic sites that tell America’s story, Pennsylvania offers visitors more ways to explore, spend, and stay longer. That’s what makes us the Great American Getaway, and we look forward to showcasing everything our Commonwealth has to offer.”

In 2024, Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $83.9 billion in economic impact, supported 514,261 jobs, contributed $5 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 201.6 million visitors.

The Shapiro Administration has prioritized positioning Pennsylvania as a premier national destination for visitors. We’ve had significant investments in tourism marketing, supporting:

• The rebranding of Pennsylvania’s tourism brand Great American Getaway

• $50 million to ensure Pennsylvania is ready to welcome millions for major 2026 events including for America250 events, FIFA World Cup matches, March Madness, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, and the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

• Strengthened Pennsylvania’s position as a sports tourism destination through a $5 million investment to support major athletic events that drive significant visitor spending and boosting hotel occupancy in host communities.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s approach treats tourism not as a seasonal industry, but as a long-term economic development strategy, one that creates opportunity in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike while showcasing Pennsylvania as a premier place to visit, live, and do business.

Pine Creek Rail Trail selected as Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year

The Pine Creek Rail Trail, a 62-mile scenic journey through the Appalachian Mountains in Lycoming and Tioga counties, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

“We are proud to name the Pine Creek Rail Trail as Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year and to honor the rich history, culture, and recreational opportunities that make this trail a destination for visitors from around the world,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This designation will raise awareness about the wealth of outdoor experiences in the Pennsylvania Wilds — including the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and the recently improved visitor center at Leonard Harrison State Park — while strengthening support for local businesses and generating lasting economic, environmental, and social benefits for the region.”

The Pine Creek Rail Trail (PCRT) traces a historic corridor first used by the Iroquois Nation and later developed as a railroad in the late 19th century. After rail service ended in 1988, the corridor was transformed into a 62-mile non-motorized trail completed between 1995 and 2007, stretching from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro Junction.

Today, the nationally recognized trail attracts more than 44,000 users annually and generates more than $5 million in local economic impact. It serves as a major recreational and tourism asset within the Pennsylvania Wilds, Route 6 Heritage Corridor, and the Lumber Heritage Region.

PFBC begins annual trout stocking operations ahead of spring fishing season

If you love trout fishing, there was a sure sign of spring this week, as annual trout stocking operations got underway ahead of Pennsylvania’s spring trout season.

Opossum Lake in Cumberland County received the first stocking of the year, which included cutting a hole into the ice with a chainsaw.

This year, the Fish and Boat Commission, with the help of volunteers, will stock 3.2 million trout into 684 streams and 130 lakes. Trout stocking occurs in all 67 counties.

The most common species being stocked is Rainbow Trout, but anglers will also have the chance to catch Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and golden Rainbow Trout.

All waters managed as Stocked Trout Waters are now closed until 8 a.m. on the Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 4, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28th.

For the 2026 trout stocking schedule, regulations, and more information on trout fishing, visit — Fishandboat.com.

From Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director:

“Here we are, right? You can’t believe the day is here already. Our staff has been working all year long to produce 3.2 million trout that we’ll stock statewide across the Commonwealth. That will be complemented with another million trout from our network of cooperative nurseries. The fish are beautiful and they’re ready to go in the water.

“So, really, this is a preview of coming attractions, if you will. Opening day of trout season is April 4, statewide. We open trout season a week early for kids and their adult mentors on March 28, but the fish have got to get in the water, and that’s what we’re starting to do today.

“We have wonderful wild trout streams all across the Commonwealth, particularly in the northern tier, but we would not have trout fishing here in Cumberland County in a lot of the streams that we do, and certainly here in Opossum Lake, without our hatchery system.

“Our state fish hatcheries produce trout that average over 11 inches long, and a lot are a lot bigger than that. Most of the trout that we stock are Rainbow Trout. They do really well in the waters, they do really well in the hatcheries. We also stock Brown Trout, some Brook Trout, and then the golden Rainbows.”

“So, between now and opening day, our Stocked Trout Waters will be closed to fishing.”