Gov. Shapiro joins Hershey Company to open Reese Chocolate processing facility

Yahoo! News - Apr 22nd, 2025

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Hershey CEO Michele Buck inaugurated a new, state-of-the-art Reese Chocolate Processing facility in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, marking Hershey's first new manufacturing plant at its headquarters in over 30 years. This facility, a digital manufacturing plant, is part of Hershey's $1 billion investment strategy and will create over 125 jobs, enhancing local economic growth. The Shapiro administration's permitting reforms played a crucial role in the timely construction of the plant, underscoring a commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment in the state.

This development is significant for Pennsylvania’s economy, showcasing the state as a favorable location for business investment and expansion. Hershey's expansion symbolizes a broader trend of economic development initiatives under Shapiro's leadership, aimed at boosting job growth and business efficiency. Alongside Hershey, Bayer's expansion in Lebanon County highlights the state's focus on life sciences as a key industry. These efforts align with Pennsylvania's 10-year Economic Development Strategy, reflecting a concerted push to position the Commonwealth as a leader in job creation and innovation.

Josh Shapiro Life Sciences Economic Development Hershey Company Reese Chocolate Processing Facility Dauphin County Job Creation Permitting Reforms Bayer Expansion

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively communicates the opening of the new Reese Chocolate Processing facility, highlighting its significance for Pennsylvania's economy and workforce. It accurately presents the collaboration between Gov. Shapiro's administration and The Hershey Company, supported by authoritative sources. While the story emphasizes positive aspects, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including potential challenges or community concerns. The article is timely and relevant, addressing economic development and job creation, but could engage readers more by exploring broader impacts and including interactive elements. Overall, it provides a clear and informative account of a significant local development, though it could be enhanced with additional context and diverse viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the facts about the opening of the new Reese Chocolate Processing facility. Key details, such as the size of the facility (250,000 square feet), its location, and its role in Hershey's $1 billion investment strategy, are consistent with verified sources. The article correctly attributes the facility's creation to the collaboration between Gov. Shapiro's administration and The Hershey Company. However, while the story mentions the state’s role in streamlining permits, it could benefit from more detailed data on the exact nature of these reforms and their impacts.

Balance

The article predominantly highlights positive aspects of the new facility and the state's role in its development. It presents viewpoints from Gov. Shapiro and Hershey's CEO, emphasizing economic growth and job creation. However, it lacks perspectives from local community members or potential critics who might have concerns about environmental impacts or other issues. Including such viewpoints would provide a more balanced representation of the facility's impact.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. The language is straightforward, making it easy to understand the main points. However, the inclusion of additional background information on the permitting process or economic strategy could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with these topics.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including statements from Gov. Shapiro and Hershey's CEO, which are authoritative and relevant to the topic. However, the article does not mention any independent experts or third-party sources that could provide additional context or verification. Including such sources would enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the event and the roles of various stakeholders, but it lacks detailed information on the methodology behind the state's permitting reforms. Additionally, while it mentions the broader economic strategy, it does not delve into specific measures or potential conflicts of interest in the collaboration between the state and Hershey.