The PennZone

~ Harrisburg, PA - Governor Josh Shapiro has announced his support for the Pittsburgh Steelers' bid to host the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft. In a letter addressed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Governor Shapiro expressed his commitment to making Pennsylvania a national economic leader and highlighted the potential benefits of hosting the draft in the Steel City.

Since 2015, the NFL has held its annual player selection process in various cities across the country, including Philadelphia in 2017. If Pittsburgh is chosen to host either the 2026 or 2027 draft, it could see an influx of over 350,000 visitors and a boost of more than $100 million into the local economy.

Tourism is a vital industry in Pennsylvania, generating over $76 billion annually and supporting over 486,000 jobs. According to VisitPittsburgh, hosting the draft could have an economic impact of anywhere between $120 million and $160 million for Pittsburgh.

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Governor Shapiro emphasized that Pennsylvania will be a central hub of economic activity in the coming years as it prepares to celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026. He believes that hosting major events like the NFL Draft will be a key part of these celebrations and showcase all that Pennsylvania has to offer.

"Pittsburgh has established itself as one of the most dynamic cities on the East Coast - and as the birthplace of professional football - it is without a doubt the best choice in the country to host the NFL Draft," said Governor Shapiro. "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is excited and ready to work together to host this historic event and show the country what we are all about."

In addition to potentially hosting the NFL Draft, Pennsylvania is set to host several other major events in 2026 such as MLB All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup, NCAA March Madness, and PGA Championship. These events will not only bring in significant revenue but also highlight Pennsylvania's diverse offerings, from its hospitality and entertainment industries to its state parks and outdoor recreation businesses.

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Governor Shapiro's Economic Development Strategy, the first of its kind in nearly two decades, prioritizes the tourism industry and adopts a new marketing strategy to promote Pittsburgh and the Commonwealth as premier destinations. This strategy builds on the administration's efforts to make Pennsylvania a leader in innovation and economic development, creating opportunities for all Pennsylvanians.

To support the tourism industry and small businesses, Governor Shapiro's 2024-25 budget proposal includes an $18 million increase in funding for tourism and business marketing. The budget also calls for a $25 million investment in the Main Street Matters program to support small businesses and $3.5 million for the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge to incentivize regional growth.

The Governor's letter of support for the Pittsburgh Steelers' bid can be read in full here. For more information on Pennsylvania's economic development strategy and how Governor Shapiro's proposed budget will create opportunities for all Pennsylvanians, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov.

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