PA Chamber and Keystone Space Collaborative Announce Strategic Affiliation to Advance Space Economy
Form Tri-State Space Council with Ohio and West Virginia to Grow Regional Leadership
CARLISLE, PA — The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (PA Chamber) and Keystone Space Collaborative (Keystone Space) today announced they are forming a strategic affiliation to advance Pennsylvania’s leadership in the growing space economy, including the formation of a first-of-its-kind Tri-State Space Council in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made at the 2026 Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit hosted by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle.
The strategic affiliation strengthens Pennsylvania’s ability to compete in the rapidly growing space economy by pairing Keystone Space’s industry expertise with the PA Chamber’s leading statewide advocacy and business leadership network. Keystone Space will retain independent governance over its strategic priorities, programs, branding, and identity.
“Pennsylvania has the talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and industrial strength to lead the next era of the space economy,” said Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the PA Chamber. “We’re proud to welcome Keystone Space to our organization and build on the strong foundation it has established. By partnering with our counterparts in Ohio and West Virginia, we’re creating a powerful regional coalition that can compete for investment, attract talent, advance innovation, and secure new opportunities for businesses throughout the Commonwealth and the broader region.”
“This marks an exciting new chapter for Keystone Space,” said Justine Kasznica, Board Chair and Founder of the Keystone Space Collaborative. “When we launched, our vision was to unite the region around the opportunities created by the space economy. By joining forces with the PA Chamber while strengthening our partnerships in Ohio and West Virginia, we’re building on that foundation with the resources and regional collaboration needed to accelerate innovation, attract investment, and ensure our Tri-State region remains competitive on the national stage.”
The affiliation reflects a shared commitment to advancing Pennsylvania’s leadership in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, research, technology innovation, and commercial space development.
Over the last several years, the PA Chamber and Keystone Space have worked closely together to elevate the Commonwealth’s aerospace ecosystem, including partnering with Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to launch and host Pennsylvania Aerospace and Aviation Day at the Capitol, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to showcase the sector’s growing economic impact. In recent years, Pennsylvania Aerospace and Aviation Day has evolved into a catalyst for industry growth, showcasing major announcements related to workforce development, policy initiatives, business investment, and the creation and first policy hearing of the bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Aerospace Caucus.
The announcement also formalizes a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia chambers of commerce to strengthen regional collaboration on issues impacting the space economy through the newly established Tri-State Space Council.
The Tri-State Space Council will provide a coordinated platform for business leaders, policymakers, economic development organizations, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to collaborate on key priorities, including:
- Workforce development and talent pipeline initiatives
- Industry analysis, reporting, and market intelligence
- Economic development and business attraction strategies
- Research and development collaboration
- Federal funding opportunities and regional competitiveness initiatives
- Supply chain development and commercialization efforts
The launch of the Tri-State Space Council comes at a pivotal moment as states across the nation compete for investment, talent, and federal opportunities in the rapidly expanding U.S. space economy. By aligning industry, government, academia, and federal stakeholders around common goals across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, the initiative aims to accelerate growth and position the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic region as a leading hub for aerospace and space innovation.
ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the Commonwealth’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization, representing employers of all sizes and sectors throughout Pennsylvania. The PA Chamber works to advance policies that promote economic growth, competitiveness, job creation, and opportunity across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit pachamber.org.
ABOUT THE KEYSTONE SPACE COLLABORATIVE
Founded in 2021, the Keystone Space Collaborative is a nonprofit organization committed to attracting, growing, and amplifying the next generation of space industry businesses and talent in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. By convening regional leaders, Keystone Space works to create opportunities for job creation, investment, innovation, and growth in the rapidly expanding space economy. To learn more, visit keystonespace.org.