In the past week, two major private sector investments have announced a total of $1.57 billion in new investment in Pennsylvania: Chobani will invest $1.2 billion to establish its first dairy product manufacturing operation in the Commonwealth, while Burlington Stores Inc. will invest $370 million to relocate its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Philadelphia.
Chobani’s project is the largest ever private investment in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. It will create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley and greatly expand markets and opportunities for more than 4,000 dairy farmers in Pennsylvania. Burlington’s project will bring the company’s corporate headquarters to West Philadelphia and create at least 2,000 new jobs.
Burlington HQ Headed To West Philadelphia
In the more recent announcement, Burlington will invest $370 million to relocate its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia, creating at least 2,000 jobs over the next five years. The company is purchasing property at Schuylkill Yards in West Philadelphia. The Commonwealth will invest $30 million to support the project.
Burlington is a national off-price retailer and one of the fastest growing retailers in America. As of August 1, 2026, the company operates 1,300 stores in 47 states, including more than 43 in the Philadelphia designated market area (DMA).
“We are very excited to be relocating our corporate headquarters to Philadelphia,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores. “We are one of the fastest growing retailers in America, and as we evaluated different options for our new corporate home, we were strongly attracted to the energy, talent, and infrastructure that Philadelphia has to offer. Add to that, we found the vision and priorities articulated by the Mayor and the Governor extremely compelling — fiscal health, education and training, and economic opportunity for all. We look forward to supporting and being part of that vision.”
(Photo: Burlington Stores, Inc.)
“Pennsylvania is competing to win — and today, we’re delivering a major win for Philadelphia and our Commonwealth,” commented Governor Josh Shapiro. “Burlington is a fast-growing Fortune 500 company and they have committed to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our economy and create 2,000 new jobs in our Commonwealth as part of the largest headquarters relocation to the city in years. Our economic development strategy makes smart, targeted investments to make choosing Pennsylvania an easy yes for major companies like Burlington, create good-paying jobs in our Commonwealth, and strengthen our communities. It’s working — and we’re going to keep showing the world that Pennsylvania is open for business.”
Coordinated by the Governor’s BusinessPA team, Burlington received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $20 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant and a $10 million Pennsylvania First grant.
“Burlington’s decision to make Philadelphia its new corporate headquarters is a powerful vote of confidence in Pennsylvania and our economic future,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “This $370 million investment will bring 2,000 new jobs to the Commonwealth and strengthen Philadelphia as a national hub for business and innovation. We’re making targeted investments, working directly with leading businesses, and giving companies the tools they need to grow and succeed here. The Shapiro Administration is proud to work with Burlington and Philadelphia to make this transformational investment a reality.”
The City of Philadelphia is supporting the investment with incentives including a $7 million forgivable loan and a Job Creation Tax Credit award. SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority also offered deeply discounted commuter savings for new Burlington employees in the City.
“Burlington’s decision to make Philadelphia its new corporate home is a powerful vote of confidence in our city and our people. This move will bring up to 2,000 quality jobs to Philadelphia, and another Fortune 500 company is going to call Philadelphia home. These employees will become part of the daily life of our central core and University City, working, shopping, dining and supporting businesses throughout Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Through SEPTA Key Advantage, we’re also making it easier for Burlington employees to get to work and experience all our city has to offer. This is a great example of a safer, greener and cleaner Philadelphia, with access to economic opportunity for all.”
“Today’s announcement reinforces what we have long believed: the future of business is built in places that bring people, ideas, and opportunity together. We’re thrilled to welcome Burlington to Schuylkill Yards, joining a growing community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders helping shape Philadelphia’s future,” remarked Jerry Sweeney, CEO and Trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust. “Their investment validates our vision for Schuylkill Yards as a place where companies can access world-class talent, foster collaboration, and accelerate growth.”
Chobani Makes Largest Single Agriculture Investment In Pennsylvania History
Earlier this month, Chobani announced it would invest $1.2 billion to establish its first dairy product manufacturing operation in Pennsylvania. The project is the largest ever private investment in Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. It will create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley and greatly expand markets and opportunities for more than 4,000 dairy farmers in Pennsylvania.
Chobani will assume operations of Keurig Dr Pepper’s (KDP) manufacturing facility, equipment, and related infrastructure in Upper Macungie Township. The 1.5 million-square-foot facility is expected to process more than three billion pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually — equivalent to approximately 30 percent of all milk currently produced in the Commonwealth — the largest increase in demand for Pennsylvania dairy in the state’s history. Production under Chobani is expected to begin in 2027.
Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder & CEO of Chobani announces his company’s Pennsylvania investment. (Photo: PA DCED)
“Pennsylvania is home to one of the highest number of family-owned farms in the country. When we walked into this factory, we knew it was a great fit for what we want to build for the future,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder & CEO of Chobani. “There were many challenges along the way, and this project would not be possible without Governor Shapiro and his team bringing people together and finding ways to move things forward. I want to thank the Governor’s team, Senator McCormick, our local leaders, and most of all, the farmers who make all this possible. We’re so happy to be here bringing our future innovation to life in Allentown, made with fresh Pennsylvania milk and delivered to families across the country.”
Pennsylvania has the second highest number of dairy farms in the nation – and agriculture is a key pillar of Governor Shapiro’s economic development plan.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on our farms and in our rural communities, hearing directly from Pennsylvanians about the kind of investments they want to see in our Commonwealth. This $1.2 billion investment from Chobani is the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and will strengthen our dairy industry, support our farmers, and reinforce our position as a national leader in agriculture and food manufacturing,” said Gov. Shapiro. “Pennsylvania is aggressively competing for — and winning — the biggest economic development projects in the country because we’re making strategic investments, moving at the speed of business, and giving companies confidence that they will thrive here – and I’m proud this investment will benefit our dairy industry and rural communities.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder & CEO of Chobani laugh while posing for photos. (Photo: PA DCED)
The Governor’s BusinessPA team worked with Chobani to build out the agricultural and public infrastructure necessary for a project of this scale. To support Chobani’s investment in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth will provide $50 million in loans and grants through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program to support infrastructure and site improvements necessary for the project and broader regional economic development.
Additionally, the Commonwealth will continue to drive out $127 million in loans and grants available directly to eligible Pennsylvania dairy farmers to meet the significant new demand for Pennsylvania milk products.
Chobani may also be able to access tax credits through the Department of Revenue’s Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) program’s Pennsylvania Milk Processing (PMP) Tax Credit in the future.
“This announcement is the biggest change for our dairy industry in a generation and represents the culmination of a journey built on collaboration, persistence, and a shared belief in the future of Pennsylvania dairy,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Since day one, Governor Shapiro has been clear that our dairy producers are among the best in the world, and maintaining our leadership requires investment, innovation, and a strong processing infrastructure to create markets for the milk they produce. His commitment has been to ensure Pennsylvania is not only a great place to farm, but also a place where agricultural businesses choose to invest, grow, and add value.”
Pennsylvania is also supporting this project through the Pennsylvania (PA) Permit Fast Track Program, which was designed to make the Commonwealth more competitive to new business by streamlining the permitting process for key economic development and infrastructure projects, increasing transparency, and accelerating timelines to ensure state government delivers results quickly and efficiently.
“Chobani’s historic investment in Pennsylvania is a tremendous win for our Commonwealth, our economy, and our agriculture industry,” said Secretary Siger. “This project in the Lehigh Valley will further strengthen Pennsylvania’s world-class dairy industry by creating new opportunities for our farmers, supporting local suppliers, and building a stronger food manufacturing ecosystem. Governor Shapiro’s economic development strategy is focused on making bold investments like this one that support businesses and create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.”
Key local partners supporting the project include the Lehigh County Authority, Upper Macungie Township, Lower Macungie Township, South Whitehall Township, and the City of Allentow
“We welcome Chobani and its $1.2 billion investment in Pennsylvania to the portfolio of internationally known companies producing brand-name products here in one of America’s top manufacturing markets,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. “We are grateful to Chobani for selecting the Lehigh Valley and to Gov. Josh Shapiro for this historic investment in Pennsylvania agriculture. These wins don’t happen by accident. Once again, the region’s economic success has been supercharged by the Shapiro Administration’s hard work, focus, and investment, and the coordinated effort of so many in the Lehigh Valley.”