While we wish it was closer to our region, we still are thankful to learn news of more investment in manufacturing jobs here in Pennsylvania.

As the Associated Press reported last Thursday, EMD Electronics is planning a $300 million expansion to a Schuylkill County plant that synthesizes material to be used in producing microchips.

Once complete, industry leaders say the expansion will create world’s largest facility of that kind.

“This industry is huge and its growth potential is enormous, and it is key to our economy and to our national security,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a news conference announcing the expansion.

An economy in which jobs are plentiful and diverse is pivotal to ensuring prosperity for American families and to equipping Americans with the means to invest in and support their communities and their country.

In the last several years, our region has seen positive developments in the creation of manufacturing jobs and, unfortunately, some setbacks.

We hope we all can find reassurance that there will be more positive developments to come in the expansion of cutting-edge technological manufacturing in the heart of Pennsylvania.

— Williamsport Sun-Gazette