Airport will be hub for travel, manufacturing with arrival of Mainspring
Policy Committee learns details of planned linear generator plant
Rep. John Inglis September 4, 2025 | 12:13 PM
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Sept. 4 – Innovation, manufacturing, and energy-related initiatives at Pittsburgh International Airport have helped make it a hub for far more than just transportation. The airport is situated at the nexus of energy and manufacturing job creation.
“California-based Mainspring Energy is in the growth stage of its company and expects to deliver close to 1,000 jobs to this region, including its first domestic manufacturing positions,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, who co-hosted a PA House Majority Policy Committee roundtable on the airport project and represents portions of Allegheny County. “The exciting part of this project is that it will not only create an estimated 300 construction jobs to build their plant adjacent to the airport, but it will also generate more than 600 permanent jobs to manufacture linear generators that can run on numerous gas fuels without flame or spark—and with zero carbon emissions.”
Mainspring is waiting for promised federal funds to be allocated before it can break ground.
“Allegheny County has the infrastructure and sites that corporations like Mainspring need, but testifiers also explained that Pennsylvania risks being left behind by neighboring states when it comes to creating sufficient state incentives and acting quickly to support high-impact projects with large energy demands,” said state Rep. John Inglis, who co-hosted the event and represents portions of Allegheny County. “Mainspring chose Pittsburgh over Columbus to bring about 1,000 jobs to our region, but lawmakers will need to be proactive to ensure our region remains competitive.”
A recording of the hearing livestream can be found here.
“Testifiers detailed how state investments, Pennsylvania’s continued reduction of the Corporate Net Income Tax rate and the PA SITES program has helped attract and retain manufacturing and energy jobs across the region,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro. “While this is great news, testifiers also explained Pennsylvania needs to continue to improve the speed and turnaround for the permitting process in the competition for job creation.”
The House Majority Policy Committee hosted the event at Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township.
Thursday’s House Majority Policy roundtable featured testimony from Kevin Hennessy, senior director of policy at Mainspring Energy; Matt Smith, chief growth officer of the Allegheny Conference; and Meghan Cox, vice president of corporate and government relations at the Allegheny County Airport Authority.
The airport has taken advantage of EDGE tax credits, and state Reps. Rob Matzie and Inglis continued efforts to enhance the program to help companies make long-term commitments to Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh International Airport highlighted the benefit of meeting with officials from Mainspring before committing to its planned plant. The airport has also increased its air cargo capacity due to its ability to operate more efficiently than nearby airports, including those in New York.
It has been on the cutting edge of planning to develop sustainable aviation fuel. After observing rolling blackouts in other regions of the country, the airport—through public-private partnerships—established a microgrid that provides power to locations on its campus, including a hotel and a gas station.
Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy.
Photos to be used for publication can be found on the day of the hearing at Facebook.com/PADemPolicy.