PA Chamber members are leading the way across Pennsylvania, creating jobs, investing in their communities, and driving innovation. Each week, we are proud to spotlight some of the latest news and accomplishments from businesses across our membership. Transportation & Innovation RIDC is developing the $30 million Pennsylvania Safety Transportation and Research Track (PennSTART) at RIDC Westmoreland, a new testing and research facility focused on autonomous vehicles, transportation safety and emerging technologies. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 200-acre site will feature a two-mile test track and simulation center where companies, researchers and first responders can evaluate autonomous vehicles, drones, robotics and traffic-safety technologies. RIDC officials said the project will help attract testing and innovation activity to Pennsylvania while supporting growth in the region’s autonomy and robotics sectors. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times Energy Exus Renewables North America recently completed the repowering of the Highland North and Cambria wind farms in Cambria County, extending the projects’ operational life by an estimated 30 years while increasing clean-energy production. The nearly $300 million investment upgraded turbine components while reusing existing infrastructure, including towers, foundations and underground collection systems. Company officials said the project will generate long-term economic benefits for Adams, Summerhill and Portage townships through local spending, landowner payments, taxes and fees. Read more from WJAC-TV Matt Mackowiak, director of government affairs for Core Natural Resources, recently testified before the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, emphasizing the importance of policies that support energy production, infrastructure development and long-term investment in Pennsylvania’s energy sector. Mackowiak highlighted the role the Commonwealth’s energy resources play in supporting jobs, economic growth and grid reliability. He joined other industry representatives in discussing how regulatory certainty and timely permitting can help Pennsylvania remain competitive as electricity demand continues to grow across the PJM region. Read more from Pennsylvania Business Report Marketing & Communications Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada and longtime Philadelphia business leader David L. Cohen has made a strategic investment in Philadelphia-based Athena Global Advisors and will serve as the firm’s vice chair. Cohen said the investment reflects his confidence in Athena’s growth potential and will provide additional capital to support the company’s continued expansion. Since returning to Philadelphia following his diplomatic service, Cohen has taken on a number of civic and business leadership roles and said he was drawn to Athena’s work helping organizations strengthen their brands, communications, and public engagement efforts. Read more from the Philadelphia Business Journal Brownstein Group affiliate Red Thread PR has been named to PRNEWS’ 2027 Agency Elite Top 120, a national recognition honoring top-performing communications firms across the country. The recognition highlights Red Thread PR’s continued growth and success delivering strategic communications, media relations and public affairs services for clients nationwide. As part of the Brownstein Group network, Red Thread PR contributes to the agency’s integrated marketing, advertising and communications capabilities, helping organizations strengthen their brands and engage key audiences. Read more from Red Thread PR Community Impact West Shore Home has formalized a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, expanding a donation program that began with a single product donation from the company’s Harrisburg branch in 2024. Since December 2025, the Mechanicsburg-based home remodeling company has donated more than $247,000 in new windows, doors, and other products to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country. Company leaders said the initiative supports West Shore Home’s mission of strengthening communities while helping Habitat for Humanity expand access to safe, affordable housing. Read more from the Central Penn Business Journal Members 1st has awarded $57,000 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations across Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania through their Members 1st Charitable Foundation, supporting programs focused on youth and family services, food security, housing stability, mental health, financial education and community well-being. The foundation said the funding will help local organizations address pressing community needs and strengthen the communities they serve. Grant recipients include organizations such as Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity, York Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, Lebanon, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and several other nonprofits working to improve quality of life throughout the region. Read more from the Central Penn Business Journal Defense & Technology Concurrent Technologies Corp. (CTC) has partnered with the Robotics Research Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on a machine-learning research project focused on strengthening artificial intelligence security. The effort will develop a model-stealing detection and assessment pipeline designed to identify vulnerabilities in AI systems and help protect machine-learning models from adversarial attacks and unauthorized access. CTC said the work will support the security and reliability of AI technologies used in critical applications. Read more from Pennsylvania Business Report Data Centers & Infrastructure Alpha Compute Corp. has amended the purchase agreement governing its planned natural gas-powered data center campus in northern Pennsylvania, advancing a project tied to growing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. The transaction includes approximately 243 acres in Tioga County, which will serve as the primary campus site, and an additional 107-acre property in Beaver County for future development. Company officials said the revised financing structure reflects continued confidence in the project and Alpha Compute’s long-term commitment to investing in Pennsylvania’s energy and technology sectors. Read more from Pennsylvania Business Report Education Carnegie Mellon University recently highlighted its innovation ecosystem during Startup Week, a five-day event that brought together more than 3,000 founders, investors, corporate partners and researchers to explore technologies moving from university laboratories into the marketplace. Organized by CMU’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, the event showcased advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, health care and energy. University officials noted that CMU entrepreneurship programs have helped launch more than 400 companies and produced 67 affiliated unicorns – privately held startups valued at more than $1 billion. Read more from Pennsylvania Business Report Duquesne University officially inaugurated David Dausey as its 14th president, marking a new chapter for the Pittsburgh-based university and unveiling a vision focused on innovation, growth and long-term impact. A first-generation college student and longtime academic leader, Dausey officially assumed the presidency in July after serving as Duquesne’s provost and helping guide the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and the launch of the Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine. University leaders said his experience and commitment to expanding educational opportunity position the institution for continued success in the years ahead. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times Banking & Technology BNY has announced $1.5 million in new research investments through its artificial intelligence partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, marking the official opening of the BNY AI Lab on CMU’s campus. The funding includes support for 10 faculty-led research projects focused on topics such as trustworthy AI, AI-assisted modernization of legacy systems, verification of AI-generated code and human oversight of AI tools. Company leaders said the collaboration will help connect academic research with real-world financial services challenges while strengthening Pittsburgh’s role as a hub for AI innovation and talent development. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times Technology & Innovation Astrobotic Technology was featured during Innovation Works’ annual Venture Expo, where co-founder John Thornton reflected on the Pittsburgh-based company’s journey from its founding in 2007 to its recent $300 million acquisition by Voyager Technologies. The discussion highlighted Astrobotic’s evolution into one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent space technology companies and underscored the region’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation in aerospace, robotics and advanced technology. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times Healthcare Several regional children’s hospitals earned national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh were named to the publication’s Honor Roll, while WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital was recognized as the top children’s hospital in West Virginia and received national rankings in select specialties. The annual rankings recognize hospitals for excellence in pediatric care across a range of specialty areas and clinical measures. Read more from U.S. News & World Report