Bradford County is known for agriculture, tourism, timber, the Susquehanna River and its open space. The largest employers include Osram-Sylvania, Guthrie Health Systems, DuPont DeNemours, Taylor Packing, Excell and Craftmaster. The county produces masonite, beef and other agricultural products, tungston products, x-ray materials and kitchen cabinets.
In 1837, composer Steven Foster lived in Bradford County. In 1779, General Sullivan marched through. David Wilmot, an attorney and author of Wilmot Provisio, served as a member of Congress from 1845-1851. He is buried in Towanda, the county seat. And P.P. Bliss, the gospel writer, was a teacher in Bradford County around 1856.
Bucks County
Bucks County Web site
Bucks County was founded by William Penn in 1682 as Pennsylvania’s first county. Steeped in history at nearly every turn of the road, the county’s 625 square miles have rich farmland and rolling hills, covered bridges and picturesque villages. It also has vibrant industry and commerce, linked by an excellent transportation network to the great metropolitan centers of the northeast.
Butler County
Butler County Web site
Butler County, in the late 1800s hosted over 1,000 oil wells that supplied the world with 75% of its oil. Local inventors pioneered the development of white oil, neutral oil and petroleum.
Butler County’s 789 square miles are comprised of 57 municipalities - 33 townships, 23 boroughs and one city. The county’s rolling landscape is cut by many steep stream valleys, but slightly more than half the county’s acreage is classified as forest land.
Agriculture, A-K steel production, the federal and state government, Butler Hospital and schools are the counties largest employers. Butler County is known for the production of bituminous coal, limestone, petroleum and natural gas. Agricultural products; specialty steel; replacement windows and doors; tools, dies and metal plating; infrared materials and optical products, and petroleum production round out the list of the county’s well known industries.
In 1930, the Bantam car was made in Butler, the origin of the world-renowned Jeep.
Cambria County 
Cambria County Web site
The first European settlers arrived in the Conemaugh Valley in the 1770s. The area was rich with timber. By 1804, 700 square miles of land, which was to become Cambria County, was carved out of portions of Bedford, Somerset and Huntingdon Counties. The area was still sparsely populated and it took until 1807 for the county to have enough residents to justify autonomous political and judicial administration.
In time, coal was discovered and became the major engine for economical growth. The coal mines laid the foundation for the industry of steel in this area. Iron and steel grew to become the dominant industry in the Conemaugh Valley. The Cambria Iron Works Mill even had a mine located within it; this was the only arrangement of its type in the country.
The Pennsylvania Canal passed through the area, and the city of Johnstown became one of the largest ports on the canal. However, Cambria’s county seat is located in the town of Ebensburg, 20 minutes north of Johnstown on Route 219. While Johnstown is located in a river valley, Ebensburg is a community of 3,000 which sits high atop the Laurel Highlands. The current county courthouse is the county’s third, originally built in 1880-1882, last refurbished in 1992.
The rest of Cambria County is largely rural, a mixture of farms, forests and small quaint towns. Today, Cambria County is no longer dominated by the steel and coal industries. It is changing from the heavy industries to a widely diversified business base featuring technology, defense contractors and world-class health care facilities.
Cambria County has many historical and cultural attractions for visitors including The Ghost Town Trail, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Potato Festival in Ebensburg, and the Memorial National Visitor Center in Saint Michael. In the city of Johnstown you may visit and enjoy the Incline Plane, Discovery Center, Annual Folk Festival, Annual Thunder In The Valley and the 1889 Flood Museum. This year Cambria County is proud to celebrate it’s Bicentennial: March 26, 1804 - March 26, 2004.
Cameron County 
Cameron County Web site
Cameron County, small but proud, is the Commonwealth’s second smallest county both in population and land area. Cameron County was founded in 1860 and was created from parts of McKean, Elk, Clearfield, Clinton and Potter counties and named for Senator Simon Cameron. Its earliest history includes agriculture and lumbering. The tallest spar for a ship’s mast was taken from Cameron County. As the lumber industry waned, the county’s population turned to industrial activities. Cameron County was instrumental in producing much of the dynamite used in making the Panama Canal. It also produced war munitions for the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. As America returned to a peacetime economy, Emporium became the home of the Incandescent Lamp Company later known as Sylvania Electronics (an international producer of light bulbs, radio tubes, radios and television sets). During World War II, Emporium became known as "Girls Town, USA" as a result of the influx of female workers at Sylvania. The proximity fuse was invented in Cameron County and this allowed bombs to explode at predetermined levels instead of on impact. Today, Cameron County is the heart of the powdered metal industry, and boasts the world’s largest producer of powdered metals parts, GKN Sinter Metals.
In addition to the above accomplishments, Cameron County is the birthplace of famous screen and TV star Tom Mix and General Joseph Taggart McNarney, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, after Eisenhower left that theater of operations. Another favorite son is Rick Peltz, Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. The flagstone surrounding the tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery was quarried in Cameron County. Cameron County was one of several counties to contribute sharp shooters and is the sight of the disembarkment of the famous Bucktail Brigade during the Civil War. Each spring a national canoe race is held over the same waters that took the Bucktail Regiment floating off to the Civil War. The county has hosted the State Senior Division Little League Championship Tournament for over two decades.
An outdoorsman’s paradise, the county boasts great opportunities for hunters, fishermen and nature enthusiasts. It has a huge reputation for its pristine natural beauty. It is a great escape for people living the hectic rush of city life, but residents here call it a "beautiful place to live." It truly is the Garden Spot of Pennsylvania.
Carbon County 
Carbon County Web site
Carbon County is 403 square miles of Pennsylvania mountains. In 1877, the Carbon County Prison was the site of the hanging of four Molly Maguires.
Today, manufacturing, health care and telecommunications dominate the list of major employers. The county is also known for its coal and timber.
Asa Packer, the founder of Lehigh University, made his home in Carbon County. His mansion is open for tours during the summer months. The county is also the site of the Switchback Gravity Railroad, the Lehigh Canal and the burial place of the "Athlete of the Century," Jim Thorpe, the namesake of the county seat.
Centre County 
Centre County Web site
Bellefonte, the county seat of Centre County, has been home to five Pennsylvania governors. The 1,115 square mile area has beautiful foothills, mountains and valleys.
Centre County is known for timber, mining, natural gas, farming and agriculture, and is the home of Penn State University and the Nittany Lions. Major employers include the University, Corning-Asahi, Murata Electronics North, Centre Community Hospital, the county government and agriculture. The county is a center for major research. It also produces limestone products, brass fabrication, electronics and high technology.
Tourism is vital to the continued growth of Centre County in the 21st century, as evidenced by the lodging, restaurants and retail facilities that are quickly emerging. Penn State, the Bryce Jordan Center, the expansion of Beaver Stadium and the Penn Stater Conference Center have made tourism the number two industry. These things coupled with a relaxing drive through the countryside, some fishing in the clear, cool mountain stream or a visit to a variety of historical and cultural attractions help make Centre County an up-and-coming destination.
Chester County 
Chester County Web site
Chester County, organized in 1682, is one of Pennsylvania’s three original counties, named for Cheshire, England. Many significant events in the founding of our nation occurred in Chester County, among them the Battle of Brandywine, the Paoli Massacre and the Valley Forge encampment.
The county’s 73 municipalities occupy the 760 square miles of rolling terrain within its boundaries. Many exceptional farms and estates are located in the county. The 7th largest county in the state by population, the county strives to preserve open space and farmland for future generations.
Clarion County 
Clarion County Web site
Clarion County is where U.S. President James Buchanan spent his summers at a cottage in Lucinda; and, the Foxburg Country Club and golf course is the oldest continuously used course in the United States.
Clarion County’s 601 square miles have valleys carved from the mountains by the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers. Its rural countryside produces coal, timber, oil and gas. Tourism is Clarion County’s top industry, followed by Clarion University, the construction of modular housing, glass manufacturing, the hospital, Archway Cookies, furniture manufacturing and other industries.
Clarion County is located within 100 miles of Pittsburgh, Erie, State College, and Youngstown and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1998, Clarion was voted "Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Community" by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
Clearfield County 
Clearfield County Web site
Clearfield County is the birthplace of writer/explorer Zenas Leonard; and, William Bigler, a Clearfield County native, served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 1852-1855.
Clearfield County’s 2,284 square miles are mostly rolling, wooded mountains that produce coal and timber. Manufacturers in Clearfield produce pressed metal products. Retail business, the state government and health care are the major employers.
Clinton County 
Clinton County Web site
Clinton County is the home of the Piper aircraft. Its 903 square miles encompasses rolling hills, mountains and valleys, forests and urban areas. Its natural beauty produces lumber, coal and refractories.
Manufacturing is the number one industry in Clinton County, producing paper, chemicals, furniture and adult hygiene products. Lock Haven University and the Lock Haven Hospital are the other large employers.
Hyner View in Hyner, PA, is a scenic overlook which rivals the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
Columbia County 
Columbia County Web site
Columbia County is the location of 15 actively-used covered bridges and the site of the only twin bridges in the United States. Bloomsburg, the county seat, is the only incorporated town in Pennsylvania. All other municipalities are townships, cities or boroughs.
Columbia County’s terrain is a combination of mountains and valleys to the north and south with rolling foothills and farmland in between; in all, the county has 484 square miles.
Some coal is produced in the southern section of Columbia county, but the abundant forests, the good freshwater creeks and fertile farmland produce most of the natural resources.
Food, textile and carpet manufacturing, health care and higher education are the major employers, producing packaged food products (snacks, pet food and frozen food), wood products, automobile and commercial carpeting, textiles, ribbons and fabricated metal products.
Columbia County is the home of the Bloomsburg Fair, a 130-year old annual event, and the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, a professional acting troupe of national and state recognition. The county is also recognized as one of the leading recreation areas for camping, fishing, hunting and golfing.
Crawford County 
Crawford County Web site
Crawford County is the birthplace of the oil industry and the zipper industry. It was the site of the first primary election and is the keeper of records for eight different counties in the early 1800s.
The 1,038 square miles of Crawford County includes foothills and flatlands. Agriculture and timber are its natural resources. Channellock, a maker of tools, is a major employer, along with Dad’s Dog Food, tool and die shops, health care and county government. Crawford County produces agricultural products, tool and die components, dog food, industrial furnaces and Channellock Tools.
Pymatuning Lake was at one time the largest man-made lake; Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania.
Cumberland County 
Cumberland County Web site
In 2000, Cumberland County celebrated its 250th anniversary. It became the second county west of the Susquehanna, following York, when it was established in 1750. At that time it covered all of Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna River and north of York County and Maryland. Eventually, 48 other counties were formed from it.
Three signers of the Declaration of Independence - James Wilson, James Smith and George Ross - were practicing attorneys in Cumberland County. In early June 1863, the county was invaded by Confederate forces who camped in and around Carlisle, the county seat. A front pillar of the old courthouse was hit by a cannon ball when the Confederates shelled Carlisle on July 1, 1863. Jim Thorpe began his unparalleled athletic career at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Cumberland County has 555 square miles and consistently maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Residents enjoy both urban and rural settings within the county. County government and the military installations are the largest employers, and the majority of jobs are in the services. Other major employers are Giant Foods and HighMark.
Dauphin County 
Dauphin County Web site
Dauphin County is the home of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital city and the county seat.
The county’s 557 square miles host mountains, valleys, streams, abundant wildlife and bountiful farmland. The state, federal and local governments provide most of the employment. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Hershey Foods and Tyco are among the other major employers. Dauphin County produces steel, candy, electronics, and medical products.
Delaware County 
Delaware County Web site 
Delaware County was created in 1789 from part of Chester County and named for the Delaware River, which, in turn, was named for Lord de la Warr, governor of Virginia. Media, the county seat, was named for its central location in the county. Chester, its original county seat, was the seat of Chester County before 1788, and the temporary capital of Pennsylvania from 1681-1682. The county adopted a home rule charter in 1975.
Elk County
Elk County Web site 
Elk County is 814 square miles of mountainous terrain with elevations ranging from
1,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. The topography has been contoured by hundreds of miles of streams. The Clarion River runs diagonally across the county from the northeast to southwest, and the Sinnemahoning Creek and Bennett Branch are in the east. Ninety percent of the county is covered by forests and woodlands; the Allegheny National Forests, state game lands and state forest areas make up 53% of the total land area.
The powdered metal industry is one of the county’s largest producers, along with lumber and lumber-related manufacturing, human services and tourism.
The county takes its name from the noble animal which once made its home in the mountains and valleys of the county. In the early 1900s, elk were reintroduced in the county by the game commission. Today the herd is flourishing and has become a major tourist attraction.
Erie County 
Erie County Web site
Erie County was formed in 1800 around a natural harbor that sits like a jewel on Lake Erie. Transportation of goods, services and people along the great lakes was vital to a new nation and created the vision of what Erie, city and county, would become. Erie carries great historical significance for her geographical role in the French and Indian War and the War of 1812; for it was here that the defeat of the vaunted British Navy by Admiral Perry’s American Navy, was planned and executed.
Today, Erie County remains a manufacturing hub for GE locomotives and several of the country’s largest plastics operations. One will also find some of the most productive grape vineyards this side of the Napa Valley, central to a thriving wine industry and the export of jellies and juices.
Erie County is home to three of the top 50 small colleges in America. Her glittering shores and picture postcard sunsets attract four million visitors each year to Presque Isle State Park. Erie County is a sun and fun destination that is also recognized by sport fishermen everywhere, drawn by the allure of feisty trout, coho, walleye and perch. Welcome to Erie County!
Fayette County 
Fayette County Web site
Founded on September 26, 1783, Fayette County was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. Coal generated growth in mining and mining-related industries to satisfy the needs of steelmakers. When steelmaking began to decline, the county then turned to manufacturing, retail and commercial operations, exporting products through its extensive transportation network. The Connellsville Airport is located halfway between the cities of Uniontown and Connellsville along US Route 119, the major economic development corridor in the region.
Fayette has approximately 794 square miles of land; population 148,644 and is a 4th class county. Historical sites such as Fort Necessity Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site; natural attractions such as Ohiopyle State Park, Laurel Caverns and the Youghiogheny River, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob are major tourist attractions.
Forest County 
Forest County Web site 
Forest County was settled by Cyrus Blood, a pioneer obsessed with the idea of establishing a new county. In 1848, by joint resolution of the two houses of the state legislature, the county was formed out of Jefferson County. No other county has been established in this way. Mr. Blood chose the name of the county because the area was one vast, unbroken, primeval forest.
Forest County is the Commonwealth’s least populous county with only 4,802 citizens calling it home. Most of the land is covered by forests (93%), with a large part (50%) owned by the federal government. This is the Allegheny National Forest. Two rivers, the Clarion and Allegheny, are designated "wild and scenic." The largest industry is lumber; however, current federal policy has all but stopped the cutting of millions of board feet of the best Black Cherry wood in the National Forest.
Forest County remains the only county absent of a traffic light, a daily newspaper, a radio station and a four lane highway. Being just over a one hour drive to Erie, and less than two hours to Pittsburgh, Forest County is the Commonwealth’s "Best Known Secret." It is well positioned for the advent of rural growth. A new $124 million state correctional facility is scheduled to be completed by 2004. The facility will become the county’s largest employer.
Franklin County 
Franklin County Web site 
Franklin County is rich in history and natural beauty. From George Washington’s visits to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, to the hosting of John Brown while he planned the raid on Harper’s Ferry, to the burning of the county seat, Chambersburg, during the Civil War, Franklin County has been at the forefront of many of our nation’s most challenging times.
With 754 square miles of rolling foothills, mountains, valleys, forests and two national trails, Franklin County is a natural destination for hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen who can enjoy both Cowan’s Gap State Park on the west, Caledonia State Park on the east; and, located within and right outside of Chambersburg is the Falling Spring Creek, one of the best limestone trout streams in the nation.
Employment opportunities abound with agriculture and related industries. Letterkenny Army Depot, Grove Worldwide, Target Distribution Center, and Summit Health are some of the largest employers. Franklin County businesses produce dairy products, fruit and grains, cranes, and precision machining products.
Fulton County 
Fulton County Web site 
Fulton County is named after the inventor of the steamboat, Robert Fulton. The county was formed in 1850. In the 1860s, many Fulton County residents served in both the Union and Confederate regiments in the Civil War. McConnellsburg was the site of the first Confederate soldiers to be killed on Pennsylvania soil, and the last Confederate camp north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The county’s 435 square miles are mostly rural mountains and valleys. The natural resources are primarily timber and limestone. Agriculture and manufacturing are the major employers, producing aerial platform lifts and portable stone crushers among other things.
Greene County 
Greene County Web site
Greene County is located in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania. Greene County enjoys rolling hills populated by farms, ranches and small communities. It is known for its coal, timber, and natural gas. Manufacturers produce plastics, garments, mine equipment, mining belt materials, mine machine fabrication and machine shop applications. Of the 12 most productive underground coal mines in the United States, five are located in Greene County. In first place is Baily Mine with more than 10 million tons produced annually. Second place is held by Enlow Mine with 9.6 million tons annually. Cumberland Mine and Emerald Mine are ranked 5 and 6 respectively and produce about 6.6 million tons each. In 12th place is Blacksville #1 which produces 5 million tons annually. Greene County produces over 50% of all the coal mined in Pennsylvania.
Greene county has three commissioners that constitute the chief governing body of the county. Statutory authority of the commissioners is primarily of an administrative nature with legislative or policy-making powers. The county commissioners are vested with selective policy making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Administrative powers and duties of county commissioners encompass registration and elections, assessment of persons and property, human services, veterans’ affairs, appointment of county personnel and fiscal management.
Huntingdon County 
Huntingdon County Web site
Huntingdon County is the home of one of Pennsylvania’s "crown jewels," Raystown Lake. Completed in 1973 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control reservoir project, the lake covers 8,300 acres and provides numerous recreation opportunities.
Huntingdon’s 895 square miles of ridges and valleys provides fertile ground for the production of sand, timber and limestone.
Two state correctional institutions, FCI Electronics, Mead school/office products, Bonney Forge Corp., Advanced Glass Fiber Yarns, and LLC are the county’s major employers. They produce electronic connectors, school and office products, metal fittings, fiberglass yarn and materials.
Huntingdon County is the permanent home of the famous ‘star’ of the 1968 move, "The Love Bug." Herbie, the 1963 Volkswagon Beetle featured in the movie, is housed at the Swigart Museum.
Indiana County 
Indiana County Web site
Indiana County, located in the Appalachian Plateau of southwestern Pennsylvania and approximately 50 miles from Pittsburgh, enjoys an abundance of natural and business resources that foster a healthy economic environment. Indiana County has approximately 825 square miles that includes thousands of acres of farmlands and is nationally recognized as "The Christmas Tree Capital of the World." The history of the county is closely linked to the production, processing and transportation of its natural resources such as salt, timber, natural gas and coal. It is a major national center for electric power generation having three coal-fired electrical generating plants within its borders. The county’s economy is diversified, too, with businesses that include pharmaceutical, medical research, education, banking, manufacturing, printing and tourism. Indiana, the county seat, is the hometown of the legendary actor Jimmy Stewart. The museum dedicated to honoring his life and career is an attraction to thousands of visitors each year. There are thriving retail centers and downtown communities to support any shopper. With low taxes and cost of living, Indiana County is dedicated to the financial growth and prosperity of its citizens. This attitude is apparent within both large corporations and family-owned businesses.
Jefferson County 
Jefferson County Web site 
Celebrated for its natural beauty and breathtaking scenery, Jefferson County offers outdoor enthusiasts a full range of recreational activities including quiet nature walks, to 30-mile long canoeing trips, to world class trout fishing.
Jefferson County’s four-season climate can be enjoyed at its two beautiful state parks, Cook Forest and Clear Creek. Here you can enjoy backpacking, canoeing, fishing, biking, horseback riding and much more. It is a great place to plan a getaway weekend, or enjoy a wonderful family vacation. Soak in the peaceful and mystical "Cathedral" of towering 300-year-old white pine trees located within Cook Forest State Park. Or enjoy the world class fishing found in the numerous frigid mountain streams, such as Clear Creek and North Fork Creek. The busy traveler will enjoy the wide range of hotel accommodations ranging from quaint bed-and-breakfasts to internationally known resorts and spas.
Jefferson County is home to the most famous weather prognosticating groundhog in the world - Punxsutawney Phil! Phil has been predicting the weather for over 100 years and over 40,000 people journey annually to Jefferson County on February 2 to enjoy this mid-winter frivolity. Jefferson County is also home to the Western Pennsylvania Laurel Festival, held every June in Brookville. The beautiful snow white mountain laurel (Pennsylvania’s state flower) is brilliantly displayed throughout the northern mountainous areas of the county. July brings the sights and sounds of the Jefferson County Fair and during Airport Awareness Days, visitors may enjoy the many thrills and chills that aviation has to offer in Jefferson County.
Juniata County 
Juniata County Web site
Nestled in rural Central Pennsylvania, Juniata County has become one of the fastest growing counties in the state. Its unique location, midway between Harrisburg and State College, provides easy access to the major markets of Pennsylvania and the northeast. US 22-322, a major east-west highway and the mainline of the Norfolk Southern Railroad traverse the county.
The employment picture in Juniata County is encouraging. Through the cooperation of state, county and local officials, the county is seeing steady economic growth. These local cooperative efforts include the establishment of a Keystone Opportunity Zone within the Juniata County Industrial Park. This provides a business with numerous state and local tax-exemptions until December of 2013. These same organizations also joined together to provide a Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone for Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc. Empire Kosher is the county’s largest employer with 1,000 employees.
Companies from outside the area are moving their operations into Juniata County. ProBuilt Homes, a modular home manufacturer, opened in 2003 and projects hiring 200 employees.
Juniata County has been termed "A County for All Seasons" as noted by the 1981 County Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee in its history of the county. Named for the river that flows through it, Juniata County was formed out of Mifflin County in 1831. Juniata, a Seneca name means "standing stone." Mifflintown, the county seat, was laid out in 1791 and was named in honor of Governor Thomas Mifflin.
Today, Juniata County remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Agriculture is still the number one industry with many farms and farm related businesses. Wood products are strong with several major cabinet manufacturers. The beauty found in the area is unspoiled and harmonizes with the areas of industrial growth.