PAOLI, PA — State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, has been named to the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA), a statewide board that plays a central role in Pennsylvania’s technology-driven economic growth. Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton appointed Shusterman to the position.
The BFTDA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, oversees four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partner centers. These centers connect early-stage tech companies and established manufacturers with university research, expert resources, and private investment to spur innovation and job creation.
Since its founding in 1983, the Ben Franklin network has invested in more than 4,500 technology-based companies, contributing over $25 billion to the state’s economy and helping to generate approximately 148,000 jobs. The program has become one of the most recognized and replicated state-level technology development models in the nation.
Shusterman said she views the appointment as an opportunity to further strengthen Pennsylvania’s innovation economy. “The work of the BFTDA and its regional partner centers is critical to Pennsylvania’s economic development and the ongoing creation of quality job opportunities right here in PA,” she said. “We must continue to ensure that we are investing in our future.”
The BFTDA’s mission focuses on fostering collaboration among businesses, academia, investors, and government to grow technology-based industries. By linking companies to resources and expertise, the authority aims to create sustainable, high-paying jobs and maintain Pennsylvania’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global economy.
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