AGP Executive Report

Data Center Policy Clash: Pennsylvania prosecutors are joining a lawsuit against Vivid Seats, alleging deceptive online ticket pricing that can inflate costs by as much as 80% at checkout. Energy & Grid Reliability: The state Public Utility Commission will examine how the electric grid can handle reliability and customer affordability as data centers drive rapid load growth, with possible rule updates due for public review Oct. 1. Power Market Deal: Shell agreed to sell a Pennsylvania natural-gas power asset, Hunlock Creek Generating (169 MW), to Constellation Energy as part of a broader PJM-focused expansion tied to data-center demand. Local Business Impact: A Mt. Lebanon Bravo Italian Kitchen location abruptly closed, leaving about 30 workers scrambling, highlighting how restaurant chains continue to restructure. Public Safety & Supply Chain: The Pennsylvania Turnpike is partnering with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week events across several service plazas. Lottery Win: A Masontown man won $1 million in Powerball, a reminder of how retail promotions still drive local consumer attention.

Data Centers & Local Economy: Aligned Data Centers broke ground on a 2 GW “Project Phoenix” campus in Shippingport, pitching about $10B in regional investment and aligning with Pennsylvania’s GRID requirements. Energy & Grid Stress: Climavision opened a private radar and forecasting platform to AI data centers as PJM pushes power-security rules by June 2027. Health Policy & Medicaid: University of Pittsburgh researchers and AcademyHealth studied how doulas navigate Medicaid reimbursement, arguing doula care can improve outcomes while lowering costs. Housing/Childcare Regulation: A hybrid homeschool program in the Pittsburgh area is fighting a state order that would require it to become a certified childcare provider. Public Safety Funding: Clearfield County accepted a $315,000 Homeland Security grant to support regional disaster readiness, including water rescue and drones. Consumer/Restaurants: Just Salad rolled out a fall menu nationwide, including a new Adobo Chicken Wrap. Business/Finance: Treasury plans a larger long-term bond buyback, but yields still rose as investors questioned debt-demand sustainability. Defense Contracting: Leonardo DRS won $96M for MK 41 Vertical Launching System electronics hardware.

Midterm Politics in Pennsylvania: Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise appearance at the GOP’s Dallas midterm convention via a prerecorded video, praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and backing President Trump’s “steel way of life,” while also distancing himself from “extremes and socialism.” Energy & Infrastructure: A U.S. appeals court reversed a key New Jersey water permit tied to Williams’ Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pipeline, sending the case back to NJDEP. Gaming Crackdown: Pennsylvania State Police reminded businesses running “skill game” machines that the Supreme Court ruling treats them as slot machines, with unlawful devices subject to seizure and criminal exposure after the Oct. 14, 2026 deadline. Retail Earnings: Academy Sports + Outdoors reported higher Q2 sales and earnings, citing new stores and e-commerce growth, and said it opened three Pennsylvania stores. Local Business & Jobs: Philips is set to expand ultrasound manufacturing in Mifflin County, adding 101 jobs. Housing Market: A study found buyer leverage is strongest in Pittsburgh and other metros as more listings cut prices, though conditions may be shifting.

AI & Data Centers: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned the U.S. must win the AI race or face a “no day after tomorrow” scenario if China leads, as Pennsylvania and other states tighten rules on data centers over power, water, and community impacts. Energy & Infrastructure: PennDOT committed $11M in federal funds for EV charging stations in central Pennsylvania, while a broader wave of local data-center restrictions continues to spread. Immigration Enforcement & Local Economy: ICE ramped up use of Penn State’s State College Regional Airport to move detainees between facilities, with advocates saying the practice isolates people from families. Healthcare & Research: Mindera Health and the University of Pennsylvania launched a lupus treatment study on quinacrine, aiming to clarify why some patients don’t respond to standard therapy. Manufacturing Investment: Industrial manufacturing capital projects rose in August, with 160 new planned projects tracked across North America and Pennsylvania among the top locations. Business Growth & Deals: GoNetspeed plans a fiber expansion to Amsterdam, N.Y., with construction starting this winter and service expected in spring 2027; VIVE Collision acquired Jasmin Auto Body to expand its Northeast footprint. Local Business & Community: Temple University terminated a $55M donation after healthcare-fraud allegations surfaced; meanwhile, Philly’s fall restaurant pipeline remains active with dozens of openings planned. Public Safety & Legal: A Lehigh Valley attorney faces possible discipline tied to a 2020 Fulton County election lawsuit.

Election Logistics: Luzerne County Council Democrats approved a request to ask the county Election Board to consider adding more mail ballot drop boxes for the Nov. 3 general election, while Republicans voted no and the board will decide what’s feasible before ballots go out. Manufacturing & Jobs: Jerith Manufacturing, an aluminum fence maker in Northeast Philadelphia, is shutting its plant next spring after rent is set to nearly triple, affecting 61 workers and shifting some work to its New Jersey parent operation. Air Quality Accountability: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani released more than 170,000 pages of records tied to 9/11 air toxicity and the city’s response, following lawsuits by 9/11 Health Watch. Energy & Data Centers: Pennsylvania DEP will hold a public hearing on Stockertown cement company Buzzi Unicem’s emissions plan under updated RACT requirements. Cyber/Consumer Fraud: Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a TikTok-to-Telegram romance and catfish scam in Lebanon County that allegedly cost a woman about $384,000 plus Apple gift cards. Business & Investment: TEN Holdings said CEO Virgilio Torres will present at the H.C. Wainwright global investment conference in New York later this month.

Data Centers & AI Backlash: A column argues the U.S. should keep building data-center capacity for AI and national security, warning that resistance could help China. Energy Policy: A guest op-ed targets “progressives” for pushing policies that raise electricity costs, blaming grid and generation choices for higher bills. Water Supply: Pennsylvania American Water issued a mandatory 10%–15% conservation notice for about 23,000 customers in parts of Lancaster and Chester counties after severe weather strained supplies. Corporate Moves: Burlington Stores plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia, tied to a $370M investment and 2,000 jobs. Healthcare & Biotech: Flare Therapeutics added oncology leader Peter Lebowitz to its board and named Brian DeSchuytner CFO/CBO; Longevity Health Holdings secured up to $625,000 via convertible notes. Finance & Banking: QNB Corp. repositioned part of its securities portfolio, estimating a pre-tax loss of about $26.2M while targeting higher-yield investments. Business Growth: Birchtech reached an agreement in principle to acquire a specialty activated carbon company to scale carbon rejuvenation in Pennsylvania and North Dakota. Local Business: A new Bell Thai Kitchen is set to open in Moore Township after an Allentown Fair Iron Chef win.

SEC vs. ISS: The SEC sued proxy adviser Institutional Shareholder Services in federal court over withheld documents tied to proxy voting and ballot-processing operations, escalating pressure on corporate governance gatekeepers. Social Security Funding Fight: With Social Security’s projected shortfall looming, some Republicans are signaling openness to raising taxes—such as adjusting the payroll tax cap—shifting the debate away from benefit cuts alone. Healthcare & Litigation: Hims & Hers investors are being urged to join a securities fraud class action, while Save Our States renewed scrutiny of the 340B program, alleging large hospital systems treat the discounts like a “slush fund” rather than patient support. Labor Day Politics: Philadelphia’s Tri-State Labor Day parade drew union members amid cost worries and anger over efforts to curb collective bargaining, underscoring how labor issues are shaping the midterm conversation. Trade Watch (Canada Tariffs): Canada’s counter-tariffs on $20B of U.S. goods are set to begin, with no new talks scheduled—raising stakes for Pennsylvania and other swing states. Data Centers & Local Politics: A growing backlash continues over data center siting, including concerns about power demand and local tax impacts.

Power & Manufacturing: Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon is pushing deeper into the U.S. AI/data-center power market with a 22.9kV solid state transformer, backed by local production plans. Food Safety & Regulation: Federal regulators can order a recall, but a seed supplier at the center of a multi-state alfalfa outbreak hasn’t responded to FDA’s request—leaving shoppers with few ways to verify affected sprouts. Local Housing & Veterans: United NEPA Alliance’s Welcome Home Program is helping a Scranton veteran secure a home in Wilkes-Barre through an affordable housing pilot. Economic Development: A Michelin-starred Philly restaurant, Friday Saturday Sunday, won a $1.5 million state grant to expand into an adjacent rowhouse, aiming to create 100 jobs. Public Assistance Security: Pennsylvania investigators say an EBT-skimming scheme in Northumberland County helped steal benefits before suspects fled—highlighting ongoing pressure on states to harden card systems. Environment & Industry: Pennsylvania DEP fined Shell $15 million for air permit violations at its Monaca plastics plant, with penalties tied to local environmental and community projects. Local Business Growth: Brunk Industries plans a $31.7 million expansion in Armstrong County, adding a new manufacturing facility and 64 jobs. Food & Community Tech: Culineer is expanding across PA/NJ/MD, linking home cooks to local farms and markets with recipe guidance to reduce friction in buying local. Tourism: VisitMercerCountyPA is promoting self-guided fall foliage driving routes across Mercer County.

Corporate Dealmaking: Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its full Chobani equity stake back to Chobani for $800 million, plus an Allentown, Pa. manufacturing facility and warehouse for $125 million—$925 million total—as KDP prepares to split into two public companies in early 2027. Local Economic Impact: Chobani’s Allentown investment plan calls for about $1.2 billion over five years and more than 900 jobs. Public Health: Lehigh Valley reported two measles cases in August, as Pennsylvania’s total climbs to 577; the state’s vaccination rate is cited around 88.9% versus a 92–94% community threshold. Water & Utilities: Pennsylvania American Water issued a conserve-water order for about 23,000 customers across parts of Lancaster and Chester counties, citing higher treatment needs and reduced filtration capacity. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Marysville logged one scam report in July, tied for 163rd among 372 Pa. cities with at least one report. Sports Business: Bryce Harper reached 1,000 games with the Phillies, raising the question of whether his $330 million deal has paid off. Community & Culture: A mandatory conserve-water order and a measles update underscore how quickly everyday costs and health risks can hit local households.

Data Centers & Politics: Wall Street is watching how local opposition to data centers could shape Pennsylvania’s midterm politics, with Morgan Stanley flagging the issue as a key state and local risk for the AI buildout. Housing & Affordability: A new poll finds Pennsylvania voters are focused on cost-of-living and affordability as the Shapiro–Garrity race heats up, with housing supply and prices driving kitchen-table concerns. Health Insurance Costs: Pennsylvania health insurers are proposing steep 2027 rate hikes, adding pressure as Pennsylvanians already struggle with rising premiums after federal ACA subsidies expire. Food Insecurity: Centre County commissioners declared September Hunger Action Month as food insecurity affects about 12.5% of residents, including 15.4% of children. Local Government & Business: The Pennsylvania House will hold a rare session in Philadelphia, marking the first time in 39 years lawmakers meet outside Harrisburg. Public Safety & Compliance: Pennsylvania restaurant inspections show a mix of passes and issues, including pest and storage violations at some establishments. Tourism/State Parks: Kinzua Bridge State Park’s Skywalk is set to reopen for prime fall viewing, with access limits and weather-based closures possible.

Major Investment: Sen. Dave McCormick highlighted Chobani’s $1.2 billion Lehigh Valley dairy manufacturing expansion in Upper Macungie Township, projecting 900 jobs and a major boost in demand for Pennsylvania milk and dairy farmers. Regulatory Watch: A Luzerne County law taking effect Sept. 18 will require property buyers to submit contact information to the county Assessment Office to help municipalities pursue code-violation enforcement, with potential fines for false or missing updates. Capital Markets Oversight: The SEC filed a court bid to force Institutional Shareholder Services to comply with a July subpoena tied to the proxy adviser’s federal securities-law obligations. Energy & Infrastructure: Utilities reported thousands of storm-related power outages across Western Pennsylvania, with restoration progress but lingering gaps. Local Government: Hempfield Township will open storm-debris drop-off sites with separate locations for flood/yard waste and yard-only piles. Housing Conditions: Tenants in Petersburg, Va., described roaches and sewage problems and are seeking to exit leases without penalty—an issue that echoes broader rental enforcement concerns. Community & Quality of Life: The Institute’s “Indicators” report in NEPA points to arts and culture as an economic and tourism driver, not just a lifestyle add-on.

Data Centers & Energy Policy: A new Pennsylvania housing-production push got its first meeting from Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s Housing Production Commission, aiming to speed repairs and expand supply as costs rise. Power & Storm Recovery: Western Pennsylvania utilities reported major outage counts after severe storms, with Duquesne Light and West Penn Power still working to restore service. AI, Chips & Trade: Japan signaled that AI and semiconductors will weigh heavily in the next round of its $550B U.S. investment pact, after earlier tranches focused on energy and minerals. Local Business Climate: PECO earned national recognition for economic-development efforts, citing thousands of jobs and tens of billions in investment tied to new projects. Labor Market Watch: A Pennsylvania report finds unemployment low but hiring growth slowing, with widening wage and employment gaps by race and gender. Health & Public Data: A Pennsylvania lawmaker is pushing for more state communicable-disease data sharing with counties, citing the measles outbreak and Lancaster County’s limited access. Immigration Enforcement: USCIS revoked or denied multiple H-1B petitions after finding wage classifications didn’t match job duties and requirements.

Securities Litigation: Saxena White filed a Western District of Pennsylvania class action against DICK’S Sporting Goods over alleged misstatements tied to its Foot Locker acquisition, joining a wave of investor lawsuits targeting major public companies. Corporate Moves: Burlington Stores is set to relocate its headquarters to Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Yards, with a reported $370 million investment and plans to keep warehouse operations in Burlington County. Manufacturing & Deals: Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its Chobani equity stake for $800 million and offloading its Allentown plant/warehouse for about $125 million, as Chobani takes over production and jobs. Energy & Environment: Shell Chemicals Appalachia will pay a $15 million settlement with Pennsylvania DEP over air pollution violations at its Beaver County ethane cracker, including a community/environment fund. Tech, Privacy & Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing AI guardrails for schools, while Florida moved to revoke automated license plate reader permits amid surveillance backlash—an issue now echoing in election-year debates. Data Security: Thomson Reuters disclosed a cloud breach affecting court records across multiple jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, with potential exposure of sensitive personal and health information.

Major Relocation: Burlington Stores is moving its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia’s University City, a $370 million project backed by $30 million in state support, with plans for 2,000 new jobs and a fiscal-year-2027 opening. Dairy Investment: Chobani is set to invest $1.2 billion in Upper Macungie Township, creating 900+ jobs and processing billions of pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually, positioning the state as a key supplier for the new plant. Energy & Waste: Casella Waste Systems and Waga Energy brought a third renewable natural gas facility online at the McKean Landfill, using WAGABOX tech to upgrade landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG. AI Data Center Backlash: Pennsylvania politics are increasingly centered on data centers, with Shapiro signing an executive order requiring local approval before DEP reviews permits, while a new report warns small businesses could face higher power bills as demand rises. Local Housing Rules: Hanover Borough is debating mandatory rental safety inspections every two years, with landlords pushing back on the proposed $120 cost and potential rent impacts. Workforce/Tech: Pennsylvania’s MyAidAwards program will use AI to help students submit earlier, recommended financial aid requests for select colleges starting with the 2027 aid cycle. Business Crime: Two York residents face charges tied to an alleged $11,000+ trading card theft, with police citing serial-number traceability and sales activity.

Retail Relocation: Burlington Stores will move its corporate headquarters and about 2,000 jobs to West Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Yards, with a reported $370M investment and state and city incentives. Energy & Infrastructure: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo VP of generation project development to plan new power supply as demand grows. Corporate Expansion: Bentley Systems opened a Center City Philadelphia office for about 150 staff, consolidating older sites. Consumer & Competition: Pennsylvania joined a multistate effort suing Amazon over alleged ad “rigging” that prosecutors say overcharged sellers and may have pushed prices higher. Food Insecurity: Southwestern Pennsylvania food banks say Hunger Action Month highlights need that’s surpassed COVID-era levels, driven by reduced federal aid and higher grocery costs. Local Business & Real Estate: Allentown Redevelopment Authority faces a lawsuit over the sale of a former toy factory, with claims of unfair process. Workforce Services: PA CareerLink Lycoming County opened a new downtown location in Williamsport to connect job seekers and employers. Policy Watch: Pennsylvania AG Rayfield criticized a federal push to lift a court block on USPS mail ballot rules, arguing states should control elections.

Measles Tally Fight: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the CDC to remove references to two Pennsylvania deaths from the agency’s measles online count after he questioned whether the disease contributed to the fatalities, and CDC director Erica Schwartz carried out the change, reigniting a dispute with Gov. Josh Shapiro as vaccine rates fall and hesitancy rises. Securities Class Actions: Radnor-based AEVEX faces a securities fraud class action tied to its April 2026 IPO and a later secondary offering; lead-plaintiff deadline is Oct. 20, 2026. Consumer Health & Privacy: Hims & Hers investors are reminded of a Nov. 2, 2026 lead-plaintiff deadline in a case alleging the telehealth company shared sensitive health data and misled users on billing and cancellations. Renewable Gas Expansion: Casella Waste Systems and Waga Energy started operations at the McKean Landfill RNG facility in Pennsylvania, adding pipeline-quality renewable gas capacity. AI Data Center Backlash: With public opposition to new data centers growing, more Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump’s pro-expansion stance, citing electricity costs and local impacts. Local Business Watch: Pennsylvania’s energy and utility pressures remain a recurring theme as demand and infrastructure strain businesses.