Nearly 30 investments totaling almost $10 billion were announced in conjunction with last week’s Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Organized by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., the event highlighted the Commonwealth’s longstanding leadership in national defense and its growing role in shaping the future of the industry.

“Pennsylvania has always been at the center of our national defense,” McCormick said during a panel discussion. “We’re entering a new phase of enormous innovation in defense, and Pennsylvania should be, and in many ways is, the point of the spear.”

The PA Chamber was proud to support the summit by hosting an exhibition booth and helping to facilitate industry participation at the event.

A key focus of the summit was the expansion of Pennsylvania’s shipbuilding industry. PA Chamber Investor Member Hanwha Philly Shipyard was featured prominently, with JPMorganChase announcing a $24 million investment to support the expansion of a submarine manufacturing and assembly facility. The project is expected to create 450 new jobs while expanding workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities.

“We’re overhitting our recruiting marks in Philadelphia right now, and I’m convinced that it’s because we’re showing our workforce a technology future,” Michael Coulter, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA said.

Day two of the summit featured remarks from JPMorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon and President Donald Trump. Gov. Josh Shapiro also addressed attendees, emphasizing the importance of Pennsylvania’s defense sector to both the state’s economy and national security.

Additional details about the summit and the announced investments can be found in this Pennsylvania Business Report story.