April 8, 2026
SCRANTON, PA − April 8, 2026 − Senator Marty Flynn (D-22) today highlighted a major economic development announcement from Governor Josh Shapiro that will bring new jobs and economic activity to Scott Township in Lackawanna County, located within the 22nd Senatorial District.
Premier Brands of America will invest $15 million to open a new manufacturing facility at the former Scranton Times-Tribune printing site, creating 58 full-time jobs over the next three years. The Commonwealth is supporting the project with nearly $4 million in funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“This is a $15 million investment going into a property that’s been sitting unused, and it’s turning into 58 full-time jobs right here in our district,” Senator Flynn said. “That’s the kind of outcome we want to see.”
Premier Brands of America has acquired the facility located at 45 Commerce Drive in Scott Township and will begin redeveloping the site for the manufacturing of health and wellness products, including Arm & Hammer Foot Care and Cutter Poison Ivy. The company’s product portfolio includes over 150 different items in the foot care, first aid, skin care, and shave categories, with products found in online and retail stores both domestically and abroad. The expansion into Pennsylvania will allow the company to grow its operations while meeting increasing customer demand.
“The state is putting up just under $4 million to help make this happen, and in return we’re seeing a major private investment and dozens of jobs coming into Lackawanna County,” Senator Flynn added. “Taking a closed facility and putting it back into operation is how you build long-term economic strength in this region. When you have the workforce, the location, and the infrastructure in place, it puts communities like ours in a position to compete and win these opportunities.”
Coordinated by Governor Shapiro’s BusinessPA team with support from the NEPA Alliance, Premier Brands of America received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $3.6 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan, a $245,700 Pennsylvania First grant, and a $64,300 WEDnetPA grant to to support workforce training. The company may also be eligible for additional support through the Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) Program.
October 6, 2023
DOR Streamlines Tax Exemption Process Following Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order Directing Agencies to Review Licensing, Permitting, and Certification Processes; Previously Only Paper Applications Were Available
Harrisburg, PA − October 6, 2023 − There is a new online filing option available for non-profits, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, to apply for and renew a Pennsylvania sales tax exemption. The Department of Revenue recently launched this online application on myPATH to deliver a new, streamlined tool for its customers.
The successful completion of this project comes after Governor Josh Shapiro earlier this year signed an executive order that called on Commonwealth agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of their application processes. The purpose of the Governor’s executive order is to improve the Commonwealth’s licensing, permitting, and certification processes for all Pennsylvania workers and businesses.
“We are proud to play a part in carrying out Governor Shapiro’s vision of offering services that are more efficient and effective for the people we serve,” Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said. “Providing a new online application for sales tax exemptions gives non-profit organizations a streamlined process to secure their exemption certificates as quickly as possible and renew their exemptions when they need to.”
The sales tax exemption allows institutions of purely public charity to avoid paying Pennsylvania’s 6 percent sales tax on purchases made on behalf of the institution’s charitable purpose.
Prior to the launch of the online application, non-profit organizations were required to submit a paper application form (called the REV-72). The paper-based process resulted in a lengthy turnaround time, due in part to the volume of applications that were received and the detailed supporting documentation that was required to verify each organization’s non-profit status. The paper-based process often resulted in incomplete applications, which required the Department to request additional information from the applicants. As a result, processing was often delayed as the Department waited to receive this information.
“Now that all of the information can be uploaded online, we have a more efficient application process that also allows non-profit organizations to view the status of their applications in real time,” Secretary Browne said. “This is exactly the kind of improvement that Governor Shapiro is looking for to provide the customer service that everyone in Pennsylvania can count on.”
myPATH a Resource for Customers
The online sales tax exemption application is the latest customer service option to be added to myPATH, the online tax system the Department of Revenue launched in recent years to offer improved online services for its customers. The system is now the online destination where Pennsylvania taxpayers can manage the vast majority of their state tax obligations, whether it’s filing tax returns, making payments, or managing their accounts.
Under the leadership of Secretary Browne, the Department of Revenue also has delivered for its customers during the most recent tax season. To date, the agency has processed more than 6.1 million personal income tax returns and 1.5 million income tax refund requests totaling $338 million. Additionally, the agency has processed more than 359,000 rebate applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, helping older Pennsylvanians and others with disabilities secure nearly $162 million in rebates on property taxes and rent paid during 2022.
Meanwhile, the Department recently made progress in decreasing the average wait time while also increasing the volume of calls answered for people who call the agency’s main call center.
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