Pennsylvania Names Economic Developer of the Year
The state economic association honors John L. Augustine III for his leadership in regional business investment.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Regional Economics
The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association has named John L. Augustine III as the Economic Developer of the Year. He also received recognition from City & State Pennsylvania as part of its 50 Over 50 list.
Why it matters
The award recognizes significant contributions to business investment and regional economic development across Pennsylvania. It highlights the efforts of leaders dedicated to fostering growth and innovation in the state's commercial landscape.
Penn's Northeast coordinates economic development efforts across 9 counties in the region. John L. Augustine III was selected for the state award from a pool of industry leaders, alongside his inclusion on a list of 50 notable professionals.
The players
John L. Augustine III
He is the President and CEO of Penn's Northeast, which works to attract investment to nine counties in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Economic Development Association
This is a statewide organization that facilitates economic advancement and professional networking for developers throughout Pennsylvania.
City & State Pennsylvania
This media organization covers the intersection of government and policy across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The details
John L. Augustine III serves as the President and CEO of Penn's Northeast, an organization focused on promoting business investment through regional collaboration and strategic marketing. His selection for the award was based on criteria including professional leadership, length of service, and innovation in the field of economic development.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association recognized John L. Augustine III for his work.
Macro View
The recognition of this work follows the regional trend of emphasizing collaborative business development over localized competition. This approach aligns with the success of the Penn's Northeast regional business investment strategy in attracting new capital to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Professional recognition for economic developers often signals a continued focus on business attraction and job creation initiatives in the region. Residents can monitor upcoming development projects and potential local hiring increases as these strategic efforts progress.
The takeaway
Recognizing leaders in economic development reinforces the importance of regional collaboration in driving state growth. Future success in this sector depends on consistent innovation and long-term investment strategies that benefit local economies.
Further reading
For more news on the commonwealth's business climate, visit the Regional Economics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Leader.
