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 Pittsburgh International Airport has been named Airport of the Year by Air Transport World, marking the second time it has received the global aviation honor. The airport first won the award in 2017, becoming the first U.S. airport to receive the recognition. The honor comes after a major year for PIT, which opened its $1.7 billion new landside terminal last November and continued upgrades to its center core, shopping, dining, and passenger experience. Air Transport World’s award recognizes airports that perform strongly in areas including airline relationships, network growth, passenger experience, security, sustainability, and innovation. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has announced an ambitious plan for the future as the transit agency continues to modernize. Last week, SEPTA unveiled its “Accelerate” plan, which would see upgrades across the system, including new train cars, shorter wait times, and upgrades to stations. Part of the plan is already underway. SEPTA rolled out its new bus network Aug. 23, the transit system’s first comprehensive redesign in its six-decade history. The changes aim to make the bus network more efficient, more reliable, and easier to navigate. Read more from CBS Philadelphia. Health Care UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing is launching a part-time program in Harrisburg, providing flexible nursing education options. The school announced the expansion of its program to include a 32-month part-time diploma program for registered nurses (RNs). Applications are open now through Oct. 1 for the new program, which begins classes in January. Read more from the Central Penn Business Journal. Financial Services PSECU has added four senior leaders to its leadership team since January. According to a media release, the four new hires are across its marketing, product strategy, digital operations, and technology areas. New hires include John Konstantos as Vice President of Marketing and Brand; Bret Davis as Vice President of Technology; Amy Coates as Director of Digital Originations and Onboarding; and Steve Juodawlkis as Director of Deposit and Non-Interest Income Product Strategy. According to PSECU, the new hires come as the organization continues investing in a more personalized and connected member experience. Read more from the Central Penn Business Journal. Higher Education The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has announced it will host nearly 20 events in eastern and western Pennsylvania in the coming weeks to connect with high school students. The initiative is the first outreach effort coordinated among all 10 PASSHE universities. Buses will bring students to campuses, including students who might otherwise have difficulty making the trip. Students will learn about academic programs and financial aid, meet with admissions teams, and tour campuses. The PASSHE Foundation is funding bus transportation for students. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times. Food & Drink Sarris Candies has announced a new partnership with Giant Eagle to bring a new ice cream shop to downtown Pittsburgh. The Canonsburg-based chocolate maker has long operated an iconic ice cream shop in the South Hills and recently opened its nearby factory for guided tours. Now, Sarris is expanding into Pittsburgh city proper, partnering with Giant Eagle to open a Sarris Scoop Shop in the Penn Avenue Market District that will serve ice cream cones, sundaes, milkshakes, and other pre-packaged treats. Read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times. Utilities PPL Electric Utilities will receive up to $71.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for technology upgrades. The funding will support the Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project, a major modernization of an existing 230-kilovolt transmission corridor. PPL Electric will work with the DOE to negotiate and finalize the terms of the award over the coming months. The proposed Montour Grid Resilience and Advanced Reconductoring Project will rebuild approximately 29.3 miles of existing transmission line, replacing aging infrastructure with advanced technologies that strengthen reliability. The project is expected to enhance the line’s available capacity and support growing energy needs while maximizing the use of existing infrastructure, providing long-term reliability and affordability benefits to customers throughout the Susquehanna Valley, Greater Lehigh Valley, and Northeast Pennsylvania. Read more from Lehigh Valley Business. Duquesne Light Company and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently held a press conference to spotlight the utility’s deployment of new advanced technologies to help increase capacity and resiliency on the regional electric grid. DLC and DOE highlighted the progress that’s been made since 2023, when DLC received a $19.7 million DOE grant to invest in grid modernization projects over a five-year period in Allegheny and Beaver counties. “Unleashing American energy dominance requires a grid that can deliver affordable, reliable, and secure power,” said Katie Jereza, assistant secretary for the DOE’s Office of Electricity. “Together with Duquesne Light Company, we’re putting public-private partnerships into action to unlock more capacity from the existing infrastructure we have. For western Pennsylvania, that means a stronger foundation to power homes, businesses, and economic growth.” Read more from Pennsylvania Business Report.