The Bellwether District is set to host the first Northeastern United States factory of West Coast-based canned beverage company DrinkPAK, writes Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 1,300-acre Bellwether District occupies the former site of the South Philadelphia oil refinery. The HRP Group has remediated the property into a warehouse, manufacturing, and life sciences site.
According to Gov. Josh Shapiro, DrinkPAK, known for working with Liquid Death and Celsius, received a $2 million economic development grant from Pennsylvania’s Commerce Department and will benefit from multiple tax breaks. Pennsylvania won the factory location against New Jersey and other neighboring states.
“My administration competed aggressively against other states to secure this major investment from DrinkPAK — the first anchor tenant for the Bellwether District that will create tens of thousands of jobs and supercharge the economy of Southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Shapiro in a statement.
DrinkPAK plans an estimated $195 million investment in its factory, which is projected to create 174 new jobs in Philadelphia.
“Our 1.4 million-square-foot Philadelphia location will continue to solidify DrinkPAK’s position as North America’s premier canned beverage manufacturer, with the ability to service our clients with any drink, any can, any format, and now, in any location,” said Nate Patena, DrinkPAK CEO.
Read more about the Bellwether District and its first tenant in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in December 2025.
