Breweries and distilleries have surged in the
past decade – crafting flavors you’ll only find right here.
Breweries and distilleries have surged in the past decade – crafting flavors you’ll only find right here.
Business
and Industry
The Juniata River Valley’s business landscape thrives with fresh momentum, as new ventures and expansions fuel opportunity across Mifflin and Juniata counties. In the past year alone, initiatives like First Quality Retail Services’ $142.2 million manufacturing upgrade in Lewistown have sparked nearly 100 new jobs. Local unemployment rates hold steady in the mid-four percent range – 4.1% in Mifflin and 5.0% in Juniata as of August 2025. Today, more than 33,000 individuals power the private sector here, complemented by roughly 2,800 public-sector roles at local, state, and federal levels. Over the last decade, private-sector establishments have surged by over 250, and employment has climbed by more than 3,000 positions – a robust 16.5% gain – reflecting the Juniata River Valley’s enduring appeal.
Big Valley Prints & Co.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Mifflin County reached $2.242 billion in 2023 (in current dollars), a remarkable leap from $0.978 billion at the millennium’s dawn. Juniata County’s GDP stands at $1.093 billion, up from $0.438 billion in 2000. On a per capita lens, these figures translate to $48,739 in Mifflin and $46,270 in Juniata – strong markers of productivity in a region where natural beauty meets industrious spirit. This upward GDP trajectory stems not from fleeting booms, but from deep-rooted strengths: consistent investments by forward-thinking enterprises that attract further capital; a resilient manufacturing core sustaining thousands of steady careers for generations; and dynamic expansions in retail, healthcare, and human services that mirror community needs.
At the heart of it all are world-class anchors like First Quality Products, Empire Kosher Poultry, Standard Steel, Overhead Door, Philips Ultrasound, and DuMor – each weaving innovation into the valley’s fabric. No company illustrates this better than Standard Steel LLC, keeping the forge’s fire lit since 1795 as America’s oldest continuously operating forge, now under Nippon Steel Corporation stewardship. It remains North America’s sole forge for railcar and locomotive wheels, blending heritage with high-tech precision.
The growth that we are seeing isn’t the result of a good year or two, but rather it is the result of several factors: steady, long-term investments by our business community which have yielded results and led to additional investments, a stable manufacturing base that has maintained employment levels over a decades-long time period, and significant growth in the retail and health and human service sectors.
The Juniata River Valley is home to numerous world-class companies including First Quality Products, Empire Kosher, Standard Steel, Overhead Door, Philips Ultrasound, and DuMor. Our oldest and one of our largest employers, Standard Steel LLC, traces its roots back to Freedom Forge, in 1795. Still in operation today, Standard Steel is thought to be the oldest continuously operating forge in America. Owned by Nippon Steel Corporation, Standard Steel LLC is the only producer of forged steel wheels for railcars and locomotives in North America.
The manufacturing sector is our largest source of employment, employing nearly 6,200 people, and accounting for 28.6% of our private-sector employment. This compares to just under 10.2% for the state of Pennsylvania.
Our local business community continues to grow, innovate and benefit from the strong local workforce. To learn more about becoming a part of our business community, please contact us at the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce at 717-248-6713. We are eager to have you as our newest member.
Kish Bank