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Stephen is President and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation. Stephen brings more than 25 years of management and economic development experience in both the public and private sector. Throughout his career he has worked to identify organizational and community place-based assets, matching them with new market opportunities.

Stephen first worked at the ABCD Corporation from 2000 to 2007 serving as Director of Corporate Services. He was a member of the Southern Alleghenies Tourism Committee, the Workforce Investment Board and managed the development and marketing of the I-99 Innovation Corridor Initiative.

In 2010 he was a co-founder of the economic development firm Fourth Economy Consulting where he worked with communities and industry across the country building competitive operational growth strategies and industrial site selection. A native of Blair County, Stephen can be found on a ski slope in the winter and on the roads and trails all seasons in between. 

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IMPACT Across PA | Montgomery County

Photo Credit: David Zellers

Adaptive reuse of former industrial sites is often the key to meaningful economic development in many, if not most, municipalities in Pennsylvania. In Ambler, the redevelopment of the Ambler Boiler House is an excellent example of what thoughtful economic development can do to bring back to life a property that was thought completely unusable. The Keasbey & Mattison Company, once the world's largest manufacturer of asbestos, built the 48,000 square-foot Boiler House in 1897 as a power generating station to run their entire plant in Ambler. Following the collapse of the asbestos industry, the site became a community eyesore and an environmental wasteland.

Through a public-private effort coordinated by the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County (MCRDA), a part of the Montgomery County Commerce Department, an unprecedented approach using PA's Act 3 rulemaking was undertaken in which the MCRDA temporarily held property title in the form of a straw party agreement during the cleanup. Public sector support for the project included EPA loan funding ($1.47 million total), a $4 million RACP grant, a $1.25 BIOS loan and a $900,000 BIOS grant, a $3.5 million HUD 108 Loan, and a $1.2 ISRP grant. The total costs of the site clean-up and redevelopment were approximately $16 million. At the time of purchase of the property, preliminary site investigation work revealed Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) both in the pitched roof and throughout the facility due to improper prior demolition. The general scope of work entailed the removal of asbestos contaminated piping and debris throughout the first and second level of the building, the bulk disposal of mixed ACM and contaminated demolition debris, the removal and off-site disposal of the ACM pitched roof sections located throughout the building, ACM dust abatement, and material removal and disposal. Given the extent of the contamination, approximately $4.6 million in environmental work had to take place prior to any other renovation. This prohibitive cost had deterred interested parties for decades.

During construction, the project was able to save much of the existing shell. In order to accomplish this, sections were scrubbed clean of ACM by certified professionals wearing personal protective equipment. The ACM was properly disposed of. To a large degree, the majority of the building's original structural steel was repaired and remained, which prevented materials going to a landfill. The building was preserved through an adaptive reuse strategy. Recycled and/or salvaged materials of high post-consumer content and low VOC interior finishes were specifically used. Roofing materials were selected based on their albedo (or reflection coefficient) in order to reduce the solar gain effect on the building. The project received 85 out of 110 possible credits, earning a Platinum level certification from LEED. Ultimately, this successful redevelopment resulted in the delivery of 42,000 sf of unique Platinum level LEED certified Class A office space to one of Montgomery County's core communities and has spurred additional redevelopment of the area around Ambler's SEPTA station and downtown.

It's been said that there is no greater honor than to be recognized by one's peers. The window for submitting 2019 PEDA Membership Award nominations is now open and we've made it easier than ever to showcase successful projects, initiatives and individuals.

Showcasing key accomplishments at the statewide level not only benefits those being honored, but also shines a light on the meaningful work being done by our peers in the economic development profession. Please take this opportunity to publicly recognize those who are most deserving.

Decisions on winners are expected to be made in mid September and awardees will be notified as soon as possible in advance of PEDA's 2019 Fall Conference, where recipients will be recognized.

Download nomination forms here. 2019 PEDA Membership Award nominations must be submitted electronically to pedastaff@peda.org by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 13, 2019.

Economic development is an increasingly complex endeavor. Communities are competing on a global scale and the rules of competition are constantly changing. Local economic development provides the cornerstone for social and business networks that propel the local economy. Because a vibrant economy cannot be taken for granted and we cannot assume that every citizen is fully aware of the efforts undertaken at the local level to maintain and promote growth and prosperity, it is vital to document both the effort required and the impact that results. Having partnered with Fourth Economy and Econsult Solutions, Inc. to complete a study, the impact is laid out in the below document.

Read about the impact of EDCs on the Commonwealth's Economy!

PEDA announced its FY2019-20 advocacy priorities during its 2019 Spring Legislative Conference. Click here to view the press release.

During our annual spring conference, held this year at the Hilton Harrisburg, PEDA honored Senator Mario Scavello with a President’s Award for his longstanding commitment to economic development efforts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Click here to read the full press release.

Gail A. Landis, C.P.M. is Senior Vice President – Government and Community Relations for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (Berks County). She is accountable for leading legislative and regulatory agenda, strategic communications and advocacy initiatives to strengthen the economic vibrancy and quality of place for the region. She provides access to policy makers at all levels and collaborates with Regional Business Resource Partners along with establishing advocacy coalitions. Gail serves as an appointed member of the PA Minority Development Authority, South Central Transit Authority and Commuter Service of PA Boards. She co-chairs the public private partnership that engages many local officials, businesses and community leaders along with PennDOT focused on Berks Transportation + Transit Priorities (ReadingBridges.net). She previously facilitated the PA DCED Reading Keystone Innovative Zone (KIZ) and currently facilitates the Business Plan Competition for graduate and undergraduate students at the five local institutions of higher education focused on advancing and promoting entrepreneurial activity in the region.

Her professional affiliations and Boards include: PA Chamber Business & Industry, U.S. Chamber PA Manufactures Association, National Manufacturers Association, PEDA Advocacy Committee, Compete PA, PA Economy League: Berks County Committee, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Berks County Smart Growth Alliance, SRTP/Commuter Services Board, Rotary International – Wyomissing West Reading Past-President. She is a recognized leader in regional and statewide initiatives associated with economic development and education, industry alliances, community and professional associations and a variety of charitable endeavors including Katrina/Iowa Flood Mission Trips and Prayers & Squares Ministry.

IMPACT Across PA |  Bucks County

Cardolite Corporation, the world's largest cardanol producer, recently relocated from New Jersey to Pennsylvania after acquiring a Bristol Township, PA, facility for $3.13M.

Cardolite Corporation is a privately held developer and manufacturer of the world's largest variety of products derived from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), a renewable natural resource, and has thirty years of experience in the specialized production of quality CNSL-based materials. Bucks County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) facilitated a loan of $1.25M through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to assist with the purchase of the building.

BCEDC is a state-certified economic development organization established in 1958 to support economic growth in Bucks County. BCEDC offers low cost financing options for land, building, machinery and equipment. These and other incentive programs offered through BCEDC contribute to a strong and vital economy for Bucks County and, in return, create and retain jobs for Bucks County residents.

Click here to read Governor Tom Wolf's proclamation.

IMPACT Across PA |  Bedford County

CaptiveAire, the nation's leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems and an emerging manufacturer of HVAC equipment, is doubling the size of its Bedford plant. 

The company opened the doors of its Northeast Manufacturing Center in the Bedford Business Park in 2008. At that time, CaptiveAire purchased a 67,000 square foot spec building and expanded it to 84,000 square feet.

CaptiveAire will now add an additional 84,000 square feet to the facility. The total project cost is $11M with $5M to be invested in building construction and $6M for new equipment acquisition. A $2M loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) will assist in funding a portion of the building construction budget, with the balance being leveraged from private sector funding sources.

Lots in the Bedford County Business Park mostly range from 3 to 5 acres, with the largest lot comprising 80 acres. Each lot enjoys the Keystone Opportunity Zone designation and the largest among them is fully permitted for up to a 780,000 square foot facility.