Last week, the PA Chamber and Keystone Space Collaborative announced a strategic affiliation to advance Pennsylvania’s leadership in the growing space economy, including the formation of a first-of-its-kind Tri-State Space Council in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made at the 2026 Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit hosted by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Founded in 2021, the Keystone Space Collaborative is a nonprofit organization committed to attracting, growing, and amplifying the next generation of space industry businesses and talent in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. By convening regional leaders, Keystone Space works to create opportunities for job creation, investment, innovation, and growth in the rapidly expanding space economy. The new strategic affiliation strengthens Pennsylvania’s ability to compete in the rapidly growing space economy by pairing Keystone Space’s industry expertise with the PA Chamber’s leading statewide advocacy and business leadership network. The affiliation reflects a shared commitment to advancing Pennsylvania’s leadership in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, research, technology innovation, and commercial space development. “Pennsylvania has the talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and industrial strength to lead the next era of the space economy,” said Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the PA Chamber. “We’re proud to welcome Keystone Space to our organization and build on the strong foundation it has established. By partnering with our counterparts in Ohio and West Virginia, we’re creating a powerful regional coalition that can compete for investment, attract talent, advance innovation, and secure new opportunities for businesses throughout the Commonwealth and the broader region.” “This marks an exciting new chapter for Keystone Space,” said Justine Kasznica, Board Chair and Founder of the Keystone Space Collaborative. “When we launched, our vision was to unite the region around the opportunities created by the space economy. By joining forces with the PA Chamber while strengthening our partnerships in Ohio and West Virginia, we’re building on that foundation with the resources and regional collaboration needed to accelerate innovation, attract investment, and ensure our Tri-State region remains competitive on the national stage.”