Key Industries Driving the Cumberland Valley Economy

Cumberland Valley, encompassing Cumberland County and the surrounding area, offers close proximity to major East Coast markets (including Canada) and regional seaports, along with an easily accessible highway network via Interstate 81, I-83, I-76  (PA Turnpike). and US 11/15. These unique geographic assets set the stage for a vast selection of industries that thrive, expand, and are headquartered here. View some of our Key Industries below for more information on each.

Education

Cumberland Valley Pennsylvania is home to award-winning and high-ranking school districts and a selection of higher educational institutions, offering a wide variety of employment opportunities.

Click here to understand better how our educational institutions benefit our workforce needs.

Higher Education

Central Penn College
600 Valley Rd, Summerdale, PA
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Penn State Dickinson School of Law
333 W. South St, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Dickinson College
20 South College St, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Dr, Shippensburg, PA 17257
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Messiah University
One College Ave, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
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US Army War College
122 Forbes Ave, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Technical Schools

Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center
110 Old Willow Mill Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
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New Horizons Computer Learning Center of Harrisburg
5001 Louise Dr #100, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
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Carlisle Center for Careers & Technology
540 W. North St, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Emerge Education
4550 Lena Dr, Suite 203, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
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School Districts

Click here to see a list of 11 school districts in Cumberland County.

 

Food Processing & Agribusiness

Cumberland County is within a three-hour drive of major cities along the East Coast corridor and Canada. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Pennsylvania and supports a growing food and beverage industry. Our strategic location, abundant and fertile farmland, skilled workforce, and comprehensive infrastructure get your products to market quickly and at a reasonable cost.

Assets for Growing

  • Soil rich in nutrients and ideal flat topography
  • Excellent water supply with ample access and quality
  • Proximity of supplies, including equipment dealers, seed, fertilizer, greenhouse, and related suppliers
  • Ease of access to technical support
  • Commitment to sustainable practices, including biological pest management, drip/trickle irrigation, and soil and plant tissue testing
  • Prominent produce auctions
  • Local buying programs with national grocers Giant, Weis, Wegmans, and Wal-Mart

Agricultural Data

Cumberland County supports over 1,100 farms and over 146,000 acres of farmland. In 2019, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners set a policy goal of preserving 30,000 acres of working farmland by 2030.

Please view our full county profile from the 2022 Census of Agriculture report.

Healthcare

The region is home to nationally recognized, first-class hospitals and healthcare facilities that provide a variety of emergency, inpatient, rehabilitation, therapeutic, and at-home services. Thanks to a terrific transportation network, even in the Cumberland Valley’s most rural areas, quality health care is easily accessible.

This industry is consistently one of Cumberland County’s largest employers. The growing needs of an increased population and retirement-age individuals allow for continued growth in healthcare and social services.

Hospitals

UPMC Carlisle
361 Alexander Spring Rd, Carlisle, PA 17015
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Penn State Health Holy Spirit
503 North 21st St, Camp Hill, PA 17011
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UPMC West Shore
1995 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
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UPMC West Shore
Walnut Bottom Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Manufacturing

Strategically Located in the Heart of South Central Pennsylvania

  • Access to five major ports (Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore, New York, Newport)
  • Highway connections via Interstate 81, I-83, I-76, and US 11/15 put Cumberland Valley within 12 hours of Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and Canada.
  • Access to air travel and rail systems
  • Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capital, is located directly across the Susquehanna River along the east shore of Cumberland Valley.

Notable Manufacturers

Military

Cumberland County has rich ties to the military community, which has significantly supported the county’s economy for centuries. In FY 2022:

  • 5,500 defense personnel (third highest in the state)
  • $452.6 million in defense personnel spending
  • $406.4 million in defense contract spending

In 2021, Money Inc. ranked Carlisle #12 in the 20 Best Places for Retired Military to Live in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Community Survey, veterans comprise approximately 8.5% of the county’s population.

Military Installations

Carlisle Barracks & US Army War College
122 Forbes Ave, Carlisle, PA 17013
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U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center (part of the Carlisle Barracks)
950 Soldier’s Dr, Carlisle, PA 17013
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Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg
5450 Carlisle Pike, Bldg. 306C, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
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Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna, New Cumberland
2001 Mission Dr., New Cumberland, PA 17070
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Professional Services

Cumberland Valley’s diverse industry base and economic structure allow many value-added professional services in finance, insurance, architecture, accounting, consulting, and engineering to thrive.

Notable businesses include:

 

Small Business

Cumberland Valley is a great place to start a business. Click here to view resources on how to get started and grow your business.

Tourism

Cumberland Valley supports a thriving tourism industry. Visitor spending totaled $887.3 million in 2022, an almost 15% increase compared to 2021. This supported 6,103 jobs and generated $44.2 million in state and local taxes, a nearly 7% increase for both compared to 2021.

Notable Tourism Attractions

Transportation & Warehousing

Strategically Located in the Heart of South Central Pennsylvania

  • Access to five major ports (Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore, New York, Newport)
  • Highway connections via Interstate 81, I-83, I-76, and US 11/15 put Cumberland Valley within 12 hours of Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and Canada.
  • Access to air travel and rail systems
  • Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capital, is located directly across the Susquehanna River along the east shore of Cumberland Valley.

Cumberland Valley’s proximity to major East Coast markets, regional seaports, and access to multiple air, rail, and highway systems accelerates connections between businesses, suppliers, and customers.

Notable Warehouses