Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announces $30M investment in Philadelphia Navy Yard for job creation. Funds to develop 54 acres into advanced manufacturing, life science and commercial sites, part of a larger effort to attract businesses, create jobs and bolster state economy.
Navy Yard Philadelphia photo
Ensemble / Mosaic Team with Governor Shapiro (L-R): Barnin Mitra, Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, Jasmine Childress, Alex Schon, Riley Balitsaris, Kate Vivaldo, Brian Cohen, Gigi Umstead, Michael Ianni, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mark Seltzer, Nelson Way and Michael McColgan
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the Philadelphia Navy Yard earlier in May 2025, to highlight a $30 million investment that is planned to transform 54 acres into advanced manufacturing, life science and commercial use sites.
The funds were awarded through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) program and aims to create jobs and grow the state's economy by developing the Navy Yard's Greenway District.
The local investment is part of Shapiro's first round of PA SITES funding of $64 million awarded to 11 sites across the state.
"When I took office, I made clear that my administration would be focused on making Pennsylvania more competitive and making us a leader in economic development, job creation and innovation," he said. "We've heard loud and clear: Pennsylvania needs more shovel-ready sites to compete for businesses and good-paying jobs. These investments lay the groundwork to attract companies, strengthen communities and make sure our commonwealth is ready to compete and win in today's economy."
Shapiro was joined by Rick Siger, secretary of the state's Department of Community and Economic Development, at the Navy Yard, currently home to more than 150 employers and 15,000 jobs, South Philly Review reported May 18, 2025.
"When we were developing the Economic Development Strategy, we took feedback from site selector experts who told us Pennsylvania needs more readily available sites for growing businesses to see [the state] as a viable option," Siger said. "These projects will create new jobs, expand opportunity for Pennsylvanians and strengthen the commonwealth's economic future for years to come because when it comes to delivering real economic development results, Pennsylvania gets it done."
A $30 million grant awarded to Ensemble/Mosaic Navy Yard LLC will fund utility infrastructure, soil excavation, grading and stormwater management to develop the Greenway District. The construction will prepare six lots for up to 700,000-sq.-ft. of advanced manufacturing and commercial space and complements a $6 billion redevelopment effort that is expected to generate 12,000 new jobs.
Five years ago, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC) awarded the partnership development rights to 109 acres at the Navy Yard, which is being transformed into a mixed-use district. The master plan includes 9 million sq. ft. of new development, including lab and manufacturing space for life sciences companies, 4,000 apartments, and 235,000 sq. ft. of retail.
In addition, in 2024, the state's Housing Finance Agency awarded a $500,000 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund grant to develop mixed-income residential apartments and the New Africa Cultural Center and Museum in Philadelphia.
"This transformative investment from the commonwealth's innovative new PA SITES program strengthens the Navy Yard's role as a powerful engine of job creation and economic growth throughout Philadelphia and Pennsylvania," said Jodie Harris, PIDC's president, who stood alongside Shapiro at the Navy Yard. "It will help attract new businesses, support the expansion of our life sciences and advanced manufacturing industries and create hundreds of good-paying jobs across a wide range of skill and educational levels.
"This is about building opportunity for workers, for small businesses and for the long-term prosperity of Philadelphia and the region."
The Philadelphia Navy Yard site was chosen among 66 applications requesting more than $377 million during the first round of PA SITES funding. The state continues to accept and review applications on a rolling basis, with additional grant and loan awards expected later this year.
State Sen. Nikal Saval, who represents the citizens of South Philadelphia and also was on hand for Shapiro's announcement, said, "Pennsylvania thrives when we invest in the brilliance and capacity of our people and communities. The work here at our Navy Yard shows the successful reclamation of a heavily industrialized space. This endeavor demonstrates the importance of — and demand for — development that fosters density, honors accessibility through walkable streets and public transit and embraces design and infrastructure that enables communities to thrive for the long-term, even as our region faces extreme weather and rising sea levels."
PA SITES funding can be used for grants to conduct plans or feasibility studies for prospective sites as well as construction grants and loans to help finance strategic investments to enhance properties across the state.
Award amounts are determined based on a competitive analysis that includes the applicant's need, the marketability of the fully developed site and the project's alignment with the key industries in Pennsylvania's 10-year Economic Development Strategy, in addition to local and regional priorities.
"With LEED-certified buildings, improvement of state roads like Broad Street and a focus on stormwater management, the Navy Yard is paving the way nationally as a leader in green development," said Pennsylvania House Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, whose constituents live in near the Navy Yard. "They're bringing jobs and revenue to South Philadelphia responsibly, and I'm eager to see this new neighborhood bloom."
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