Shapiro Administration Celebrates Progress of DrinkPAK’s Flagship East Coast Manufacturing Facility in Philadelphia

DrinkPAK’s expansion will be an anchor for the Bellwether District, a state-of-the-art commercial redevelopment project in South and Southwest Philadelphia that is part of the Shapiro Administration’s PA Fast Track initiative.

The canned beverage manufacturer’s $195 million project, announced by Governor Shapiro in December 2025, will create at least 174 new jobs and further boost Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry.

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has competed for and won over $43 billion in private-sector investments that are creating nearly 29,000 new jobs and driving economic growth across Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the construction progress of leading canned beverage manufacturer DrinkPAK’s $195 million expansion project into Philadelphia’s Bellwether District. Last December, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth’s $2 million investment to support the company’s first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility, which will create at least 174 new jobs in the Commonwealth.

DrinkPAK is leasing a 1.4 million-square-foot, build-to-suit facility on 74.8 acres in the Bellwether District to serve as its flagship manufacturing facility on the East Coast. Today’s ceremony celebrated the construction progress of the facility, which currently has four walls in place.

“DrinkPAK’s $195 million investment is a big win for Philadelphia and for Pennsylvania, bringing new jobs, new economic activity, and a major new manufacturing operation to the Commonwealth,” said Secretary Siger. “This new facility will strengthen our manufacturing industry and help the Bellwether District become a major center for business and innovation. The Shapiro Administration is proud to support this project and the opportunity it creates for Pennsylvanians, and we look forward to seeing this investment become part of Philadelphia’s next chapter of economic growth.”

The DrinkPAK facility will also serve as an anchor for the Bellwether District, a 1,300-acre state-of-the-art commercial redevelopment project underway in South and Southwest Philadelphia that is reimagining the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery into a hub for economic development, advanced manufacturing, and innovation.

Coordinated by Governor Shapiro’s BusinessPA team, DrinkPAK received a funding proposal from DCED for a $2 million Pennsylvania First grant and is also eligible to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit program. Because the Bellwether District is located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone with a term that runs through 2043, the company may also receive additional tax benefits.

“Philadelphia was a strategic choice for DrinkPAK as we expand our manufacturing network to the East Coast,” said Nate Patena, CEO, DrinkPAK. “It positions us to better serve our customers and continue growing our business while becoming part of a city with an incredible community and strong business ecosystem. We look forward to building lasting partnerships, being a great neighbor and growing alongside Philadelphia for years to come.”

The Bellwether District is a project of HRP Group, a vertically integrated real estate investment company focused on the transformation of complex industrial sites. The Bellwether District is one of the most exciting industrial properties in the eastern United States and is being transformed into a modern hub for life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and economic opportunity.

“When we welcomed DrinkPAK to The Bellwether District last year, we called their decision a powerful validation of what we believe is possible here in Philadelphia,” said Roberto E. Perez, CEO, HRP Group. “Today, that vision is becoming reality. This extraordinary facility represents exactly the kind of investment The Bellwether District was built to attract: innovative companies making long-term commitments to growth, creating quality jobs and building the industries of tomorrow. We’re proud to partner with DrinkPAK, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to bring that vision to life.”

The Bellwether District is also part of Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania (PA) Permit Fast Track Program, which was designed to streamline the Commonwealth’s permitting process for key economic development and infrastructure projects, increase transparency, and accelerate timelines to ensure state government delivers results quickly and efficiently. Created under Executive Order 2024-04, the Fast Track Program — administered through the Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO)— helps develop, manage, and coordinate permitting for complex, high-impact projects across government agencies and private partners, ensuring project sponsors get answers in a timely manner.

“DrinkPAK’s strong vote of confidence in our city’s future affirms that we are a clear destination of choice for business and positioned to keep driving the growth of our advanced manufacturing industry. We are proud to support this transformative project expected to bring nearly 175 jobs to our city. Philadelphia is open for business,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “DrinkPAK is supported through our PHL PRIME initiative – Project Review and Infrastructure Made Easy – that is helping advance high-impact projects at the speed of business. DrinkPAK’s progress is a reflection that our strategic and coordinated approach is working.”

From day one, Governor Shapiro has been laser-focused on delivering results for the people of Pennsylvania — and it’s working.

In every corner of the Commonwealth, businesses are expanding and creating real opportunities for Pennsylvanians — from Tandem Foods in Allegheny County, Philips in Mifflin County, Burlington Stores Inc. in Philadelphia, Chobani in Lehigh County, Gerard Daniel in York County, Brunk Industries in Armstrong County, GE Vernova in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, The Wenger Group in Adams County, CCL Container in Mercer County, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials in Berks County, Ezeflow in Lawrence County, Nokia in Lehigh County, Kurt J. Lesker in Allegheny and Centre Counties, Vylor in Delaware County, Bonduelle in Philadelphia, Mondi Bagsin Allegheny County, WebFX in Harrisburg, Premier Brands of America in Lackawanna County, John Brothers Holdings in Union County, and TerraPower Isotopes in Philadelphia, also in the Bellwether District.

Pennsylvania’s Business Climate and Growing Economy Is Earning National Recognition

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made Pennsylvania more competitive — securing over $43 billion in private-sector investment while creating nearly 29,000 good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth and earning national recognition.

The Governor’s 2026-27 budget builds on this momentum by investing in long-term economic growth and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win. Secured in the new budget, Pennsylvania’s Innovate in PA 2.0 program will disperse $125 million for promising startups, fund clinical trials for the life sciences, and enhance the Commonwealth’s innovation network to help these companies succeed.

Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy, to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

For more information about the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the agency’s website, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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