<\/p>\n
Following the Governor\u2019s executive budget address, Infinite Erie and community, civic, and business leaders will convene on Thursday\u00a0morning to\u00a0review key elements\u00a0of the proposed budget. Following the meeting on Thursday the 2026 Infinite Erie Playbook will be introduced.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernor Shapiro\u2019s proposed budget\u00a0builds on\u00a0past momentum and provides Erie with tools to compete in a new era of growth,\u201d said Infinite Erie Executive Director Kim Thomas. \u201cThis overview helps local leaders understand how state investments connect to regional priorities and where coordination will matter most.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Highlights of the Governor\u2019s proposed budget\u00a0for Erie\u2019s development\u00a0include:\u00a0<\/p>\n
$550 million to\u00a0support\u00a0business\u00a0expansion\u00a0and economic\u00a0competitiveness,\u00a0including:\u00a0<\/p>\n
$10 million\u00a0increase\u00a0for the\u00a0PA First Program\u00a0<\/p>\n
$100\u00a0million\u00a0Innovate in PA 2.0\u00a0tax\u00a0credit\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
$9\u00a0million increase\u00a0for the\u00a0Agriculture Innovation\u00a0Grant\u00a0Program\u00a0<\/p>\n
$10\u00a0million\u00a0increase\u00a0for\u00a0childcare recruitment\u00a0and retention bonuses\u00a0<\/p>\n
Housing focused investments and policy reforms\u00a0<\/p>\n
$1 billion\u00a0Housing and Critical Infrastructure\u00a0Investment\u00a0Fund\u00a0<\/p>\n
Expanded renter protections, including limits on application fees and updated tenant safeguards\u00a0<\/p>\n
Modernization of\u00a0the Municipalities Planning Code\u00a0to support housing development\u00a0<\/p>\n
Incentives to\u00a0increase housing supply statewide\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
$18 million\u00a0increase for career and technical education,\u00a0apprenticeships, and\u00a0workforce training\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0A full summary of the proposed budget is available on the governor\u2019s website and can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0Erie County residents can\u00a0find\u00a0additional\u00a0updates from\u00a0Infinite Erie on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n