Route 222 corridor, Latino businesses fuel regional, state economy
Legislative Latino Caucus co-hosts hearing at Latino Economic Summit
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus October 9, 2026 | 12:36 PM
READING, Oct. 9 – Pennsylvania has the only growing economy in the Northeast, and Latino business owners and entrepreneurs are helping drive that economic engine. Rising costs that have hit residents particularly hard, including the rising cost for childcare and transportation, remain a challenge to continue growing the Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy.
“The Route 222 corridor has experienced a vast demographic transformation, and it has benefitted from this growth economically,” said state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, who represents portions of Berks County and serves as the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus chair. “Our young Latino population has faced challenges and obstacles, yet we have persevered to create better lives and stronger, safer neighborhoods.”
The Route 222 corridor links the cities and communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Lancaster and Reading with the state’s youngest population. The hearing focused on the economy along the Route 222 corridor and was co-hosted by the Latino Caucus and the House Majority Policy Committee, with Latino Caucus chair Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz overseeing the hearing.
“What we heard today is Latinos have showed up and we will continue to show up for our community, creating jobs and helping drive economic growth in our region and across Pennsylvania,” said state Rep. Manny Guzman, who represents portions of Reading. “Unfortunately, we are going to be running into very lean years, because of the Big Beautiful Bill and the decision to slash the federal dollars that supported our communities.”
Small business owners asked the committee to create more opportunities for low-interest small business loans so new businesses don’t have to turn to using credit cards and their high-interest rates to create businesses and jobs.
“Latinos contribute more than we take and we improve the neighborhoods we call our home,” said state Rep. Danillo Burgos, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “We have generated job growth, paid taxes and made our neighborhoods better places to call home. The reality is we build, we invest and we create businesses that have helped revitalize Main streets and commercial spaces throughout Pennsylvania.”
The Route 222 corridor accounts for roughly 50% of Pennsylvania’s entire Latino population. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk noted the Lehigh Valley’s economic growth has the potential to advance across the Route 222 corridor.
The hearing took place during the Route 222 Corridor Latino Economic Summit in Reading.
“Latino entrepreneurs and family-owned Latino businesses are driving economic growth across the entire state,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County and serves as the House Majority Policy Committee chairman. “Greater access to capital for Latino entrepreneurs allows residents to keep their spending dollars in the local community – which only contributes to the growth of local jobs and wages.”
Friday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from Matt Tuerk, the mayor for the city of Allentown; Bryan Guzman, the owner of Innovation Cleaning; and Isamac Torres-Figueroa, board president, Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. More information on the Latino Caucus can be found at pahouse.com/PLLC. Photos to be used for publication can be found at Facebook.com/PADemPolicy.