The eyes of the world will turn to Pennsylvania in 2026. But is Harrisburg ready?
Thanks to many critical sporting events and the celebration of the 250th birthday of America, which were to take place in Pennsylvania the next spring and summer, officials and organizers are preparing for millions of visitors from outside the state, potentially creating billions of dollars of revenues throughout the community.
Legislators in a state capital take away some changes in politics so that events next year are a success, including a creation Campaign in schools Encouraging youthful students to discover the unique origin and connections of the family from Pennsylvania.
They also changed the existing law to allow Doctors working for participating football teams To treat their players during the World Cup, avoiding a long process of foreign doctors would have to go to practice during matches in their country in Philadelphia.
However, the biggest challenge remains: securing almost $ 65 million of the proposed state funds to support events that include NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PGA championship in Delaware and the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game and 250. Filadelphia celebrations.
»Read more: Late at the party: 250. Philly celebrations risk that there is no time without much financing and vision, the planners say
In February, Governor Josh Shapiro, a democrat, proposed funds for the 250th celebration in this year’s state budget, saying that they would provide the organizers with “the necessary resources, because all the eyes will be in Pennsylvania … and welcome millions where it all began.”
It is the legislators responsible for the transfer of Pennsylvania’s annual budget, they continue the contract behind the closed door after determining the deadline on June 30. Republicans wanted to reduce the costs of Shapiro proposals in order to reduce the budget deficit worth $ 5.5 billion.
But among the budget and tensioning the bag, supporters argue that America’s 250th birthday is worth investing in Pennsylvania, because tourism generated by this event, in addition to other critical events that will appear for the next year, will probably generate billions of dollars for the state.
State representative Jared Solomon (D., Philadelphia), America Commissioner 250 PA, Non -Profit standing behind the half -year holiday, said that next year he will give Pennsylvania the opportunity to show the world – if he investing correctly.
On Monday, legislators took a step towards financing this goal. Control the Democratic State House adopted a double-sided expenditure account, 105-97, which includes the $ 2.5 million for America $ 250, $ 150 for security and $ 10 million for subsidies for improving infrastructure and facilities. This also includes $ 10 million for promotion and $ 36.5 million for national events, financed from $ 46.5 million, one -time transfer to the tourist fund from the State Program Fund of Marijuana, said the spokesman of the Chamber.
»Read more: Governor Josh Shapiro and the best legislator claim that they are approaching the achievement of a state budget agreement
The expenditure act, which is not final and will probably be changed in the Senate controlled by the Republicans, also includes a reduction in the marketing position of tourism in another place in a budget by over 65%. Each budget agreement must be approved by both the Chamber and the Senate before reaching the governor’s desk to obtain the final approval.
“Not meeting with the moment”
Less than a year from the 250th birthday in America, financing many local improvement projects in this state has not yet been secured. According to Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America 250 PA, the Shapiro proposal can ensure confined financing, but not all, according to Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America 250 PA.
Projects – in total over 160 – were identified by a bilateral committee, which conducted two trips around the state, looking for improvements before 2026, from the revitalization of the war monument to the improvement of the neglected trail.
The commission is partly financed by private donors and the state. From November 2024, the Commission received only about $ 4.6 million of state money. According to Coleman, it would cost over $ 250 million to finance all its projects.
During the press conference last month, Salomon said that the state “did not meet” and called the legislators to grant Shapiro proposals in the state budget.
Solomon said that he believes that leaving the “lasting heritage” is an critical part of the half -century, and also sees financing of infrastructure and cultural projects in the whole state as a way. He pointed to the projects that Philadelphia saw during the previous ones on the gigantic scale of July fourth.
For example, the Memorial Hall, which now houses the Touch Museum, was built for the world fair from 1876, which coincided with the celebration of the 100th birthday of America. In 1926, part of the southern Philadelphia was transformed to the Sesquicentennial ceremony, including the construction of the JFK stadium. African American Museum in Philadelphia, Mummers Museum and iconic cities LOVE All sculptures debuted in Bententnial in 1976.
With months to celebrate in 2026, no one main infrastructure project works in this state. But Solomon believes that smaller projects proposed by the Committee, if introduced, would leave a lasting heritage.
“Now it’s only about obtaining these resources and conducting these investments in urban, suburban and rural Pennsylvania,” said Solomon.
Filadelfia, separate from state dollars, also invests in the upcoming celebrations in its yard. In March, the mayor of CHELELLE L. Parker announced an investment of $ 60 million, and $ 28 million was allocated to public security and $ 30 million to support tourism and marketing on a half -barrier.
Parker said that investments would support other gigantic events coming in the city, including $ 3.5 million to revitalize Lemon Hill, where FIFA will host fans of the World Cup fans. Six World Cup matches, including America’s 250th birthday, is planned for Lincoln Financial Field. The City Cup planning committee in the city estimated that these events would generate $ 770 million, creating over $ 6,500 and $ 50 million tax revenues for the state.
Vincent Difisho is an intern with Association of Legislative Correspondents in Pennsylvania. It can be contacted at diffnzo.vincent@gmail.com.
