Focus on Policy: 2026 Priorities to Enhance Economic Growth in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Focus on Policy: 2026 Priorities to Enhance Economic Growth in Southwestern Pennsylvania

January 16, 2026

The Allegheny Conference's investor-driven advocacy efforts reach issues ranging from creating a strong foundation for business growth to workforce development to industry-specific policies. In short, we champion a competitive business climate across the Commonwealth to strengthen the economy and drive job creation in our region.

Each year, our government affairs team evaluates the local, state, and federal landscape to identify strategic opportunities that advance our region's economic growth, competitiveness, and quality of life. This process shapes our annual advocacy playbook and guides our efforts throughout the year. In 2026, we're uniquely positioned to succeed. With a pro-growth delegation at every level of government, these priorities are more critical than ever for shaping a strong, healthy economy across our 10-county region.

Our advocacy is grounded in partnership and a commitment to making the Pittsburgh region a model for economic resilience and opportunity. You will see our advocacy reflected in annual events, public testimonies, legislative hearings, and strategic stakeholder engagement.

Our 2026 advocacy priorities span across each level of government:

Federal priorities: We will continue to build intentional relationships with federal partners to pursue and support legislative strategies, tax policies, and funding opportunities that strengthen our state's business climate.

• Comprehensive permitting reform to accelerate infrastructure and redevelopment with specific focus on energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing facilities, and digital systems.
• Supporting sustained and expanded federal R&D funding.
• Advocating for growth-oriented tax policies and healthy host conditions.
• Support for regional redevelopment projects for housing and commercial development.

State Priorities: At the state level, we will work with state partners to enhance Pennsylvania's business climate and economic competitiveness.

• Developing a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy policy with an emphasis on increasing baseload power generation.
• Advancing pro-growth incentives and economic development tools, such as job creation tax credits or rebates.
• Promote long-term energy security, affordability, and diversification of our state's energy portfolio.
• Streamlining and accelerating siting and permitting processes.
• Enhancing healthy host conditions such as housing, workforce, infrastructure and transportation.

Local Priorities: Locally, our efforts center on creating the conditions for sustained growth in Pittsburgh and the 10-county region.

• Supporting Downtown Pittsburgh's revival through innovative land-use and financial tools that will facilitate the reuse and residential conversion of existing commercial buildings in Downtown Pittsburgh.
• Streamlining permitting and modernizing development practices that will support smart growth and innovative zoning and planning tools by local governments.
• Expanding housing options by promoting mixed-use and mixed-income development and unlocking underutilized land for residential use.
• Investing in critical infrastructure, including transportation, broadband, and utilities.

Check back soon for more articles by our government affairs team on each of our priority areas.