Harrisburg region named 1st in U.S. in exports recovery from recession

The Harrisburg region beat out Las Vegas and Albuquerque, N.Mex. in a business publication's ranking of areas whose exports have not only recovered from the recession, but are further advancing.

Trucking and logistics, along with expansions in exports from midstate companies such as HARSCO, The Hershey Company and the electronic connectors industry powered the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan area to the top of a nationwide ranking by Business Facilities magazine.

Business Facilities rankingBusiness Facilities magazine 

The region was named first in the nation in "exports recovery," which measures rate of growth of exports since the end of the recession, and increase in international exports.



Dave Black, president of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, said the ranking says the region has recovered from drops during the recession, and are moving beyond the pre-recession levels. "Any ranking is obviously very good for the region, and identifies us as not only healthy internally, but that we do a lot of work around the world," he said.

The Harrisburg metro area has always been strong in transportation and logistics, which helps fuel exports, Black said. But the amount of goods and services being produced is also increasing, due to expansion of companies such as Volvo Construction Equipment and international successes of HARSCO and The Hershey Company.

The connector industry is also growing, Black said, citing TE Connectivity, Amphenol InterCon Systems and Phoenix Contacts as examples.

Pennsylvania also has key transportation access, Black said, adding there's a reason the state is nicknamed the "keystone state."

"There's a lot of activity along the I-81 corridor with the big box distribution stores and some manufacturing," Black said, in Cumberland and Franklin counties.

Pennsylvania has ready access to ports, is well-positioned to reach markets in the northeast and south, and everything coming from the west has to cross the state. Harrisburg International Airport has direct flights to Canada, and the airport is also a hub of air freight services from UPS and FedEx.

"It's good for us as a region – anytime you get notice on a national scale it's a very good thing. And it's also good for those of us who live here. It reminds us we are connected to the national and international economy in a very big way," Black said.

"Business Facilities" magazine also ranked the state of Pennsylvania in several categories:

• 3^rd in biotechnology strength and growth potential
• 3^rd natural gas production leader
• 6^th in exports leader
• 7^th in economic growth potential

Regarding biotechnology, Black said Hershey Center for Applied Research "has not scratched the surface yet" in its potential for growth.

And Pennsylvania's potential for growth is rising as companies are "reshoring," or moving manufacturing and operations back to the U.S. from abroad.

Source: Central Penn Business Journal