[pic: connectradio.fm]

Giselle Liu

Business Editor

yzl5979@psu.edu 

The COVID-19 global pandemic has negatively impacted Pennsylvania workers, businesses, and communities. More and more small and self-employed businesses are facing economic difficulties. In order to bolster economic recovery efforts and position Pennsylvania’s economy, governor Tom Wold unveiled his “Back to Work PA” plan on 22nd, February. 

“Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan to jumpstart our economy and support our workforce,” Gov. Wolf said. “Back to Work PA will make strategic and comprehensive investments to build a stronger and more diverse workforce, support Pennsylvania businesses while attracting businesses to the commonwealth, and assist communities with economic recovery efforts – all of which will help us get back on track and build a brighter future for Pennsylvania.” This plan is designed to create more jobs for Pennsylvanians, help residents learn new skill sets, and provide more funding to local businesses during the pandemic.

Erie County’s unemployment rate as of December 2020 sits at 7.8% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the unemployment rate for December 2020 was 6.7% nationally. The average yearly unemployment rate for 2020 was 8.1%. This is the highest average yearly rate since 2012 when it also equaled 8.1%. The highest average yearly rate over the past decade (2010-2020) was 9.6% in 2010. The lowest average rate over the past decade was 3.7% in 2019. Recovery plans are extremely urgent.

According to the official website Governor’s Office, Back to Work PA builds on recommendations from the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center’s annual report, published in January 2020. Refocusing Restore PA, Back to Work PA would be funded by a commonsense extraction tax on the natural gas industry, which would allow for an injection of $3 billion to enhance existing initiatives and create new, innovative programs to address barriers that are holding back our workforce.