News

The House concurred with the Senate to pass HB 1565 yesterday and the bill is now headed to the Governor's desk for signature within the next ten days.  HB 1565 was passed by the Senate a day earlier by a vote of 27-22.  Previously, the bill was passed by the House and referred to the Senate last month.   

The purpose of HB 1565, sponsored by Rep. Marcia Hahn (138th District, Northampton), is to provide landowners with more flexible options when developing land on certain waterways in Pennsylvania.

The legislation will simply allow land owners the option to either (1) meet the current 150' buffer or (2) opt out in the event their proposed use of available Best Management Practices meets the requirements of the Clean Streams Act.

This legislation will provide a positive step for economic growth without unnecessarily harming the environment.  PEDA expects the legislation will greatly improve the prospects for development and business investment in the Commonwealth.

 

Please take a few moments to read the following letter, provided by DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker, regarding HB 1550. 

The successful culmination of the tremendous effort of many at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and our partners at PEDA to enact legislation to create a streamlined, customer-friendly, one-stop-shop for Pennsylvania business financing needs is heading to the governor's desk for signature.

On Tuesday night, the State House of Representatives, by a vote of 192-0 approved House Bill 1550, long-awaited legislation to consolidate five DCED administered loan programs into the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). This vote of approval follows overwhelming support from the Pennsylvania Senate.

The legislation merges the Small Business First (SBF), Community Economic Development (CED), Export Financing (EFP), Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) and Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) programs into PIDA to create a single point of entry to support a number of business growth needs including: site development, infrastructure improvements, machinery and equipment acquisition, and capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

HB 1550 will also transition the governor's Executive Order 2012-12 creating the Pennsylvania Military Community Protection Commission to the Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Commission. This new commission will carry the weight of law and reflects the administration's commitment to the 60,000 Department of Defense employees in Pennsylvania and the significant role the defense sector plays in Pennsylvania's communities and overall economy.

There are countless members of my team, as well as our partners who worked very hard to ensure this important economic development legislation crossed the finish line, and I congratulate and thank everyone for successfully getting the job done. It was a true team effort!

I truly believe Pennsylvania's best days lie ahead!

Under the governor's leadership, Pennsylvania has a much improved tax and regulatory climate; a strategic plan to grow industry including manufacturing, energy, and the life sciences; significant new investment in our transportation infrastructure; and new programs like Innovate in PA.

Now we have a tremendous asset that will transform the way DCED administers and industry accesses our business financing programs, providing access to capital to support business growth, new job creation and economic competitiveness. 

We will continue to provide updates related to the initiative including DCED administration and implementation. We will also provide updates on newPA.com/PIDA.

Thank you again for your hard work in helping to get this important legislation enacted.

C. Alan Walker, Secretary

DCED

The Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee will be holding a Meeting on Tuesday, September 23^rd at 12:30 p.m. in Room 8E-B East Wing to consider SR408 and HB1550.  

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jason R. Brehouse, Esq.,  Executive Counsel & Director to Senator Kim Ward, at either jbrehouse@pasen.gov or 717-787-6063.

 

Please use the following links to submit your questions in advance of 2014 PEDA Fall Conference panels.

• Urban Development Opportunities & Challenges: The Harrisburg Story
  
• Best Practices and New Developments in Business Acceleration
  
• Workforce Development: The Challenge of the Future - What Happens When a Region Runs Out of Workers?
  
• Tourism - The Unexpected Economic Driver
  
• Life Sciences - Linking Resources and Opportunities to Grow a New Industry Cluster
  
• Pennsylvania DCED Update
  

The period for submitting 2015 Spring Legislative Conference session proposals has been extended and we encourage you to share your thoughts with us.  Please use the following outline in submitting your proposals to be considered for the April 20 - 22, 2015 event.

1. Explain your proposed session topic, title and overview.  (1-2 paragraphs)
2. Explain what is innovative about your proposed session and topic(s) of focus. (1 paragraph)
3. Explain your presentation approach / style.  (1-2 sentences)
4. Describe what the key takeaways will be for conference attendees.  (1 paragraph)
5. Provide any information you feel will help us better understand what you want to do as a presenter.
6. Provide name / title / organization for each of the speakers / presenters you're recommending for consideration.

In your submission, please include your name, title, organization, phone number, email address, and mailing address and send via email to PEDA at conferences@peda.org, labeling the Subject line "2015 PEDA Spring Recommendations".  Thank you for your assistance.

Click here to view PEDA's 2014 Fall Conference sponsorship brochure.

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA), you're invited to PEDA's annual Fall Conference coming to Hershey from October 6-8th. A strong program has been developed and we are proud to have attracted some outstanding and widely recognized speakers, including keynote Jim George. 

 

The Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau  reports that Hershey Harrisburg recently placed 5th in Forbes magazine's rankings of "America's Most Livable Cities".  Additionally, the region ranked 13th in RelocateAmerica's "Top 100 Places to Live" and 3rd in last year's rankings of top minor league sports markets by Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal.  And these awards are only the tip of the iceburg.  We hope you'll join us this October and learn more at the conference website!     

Room rates for this conference have been negotiated to a discounted rate of $179/night for single or double accommodations and free parking is included. To make a reservation, please contact the Hershey® Lodge* directly at (717) 533-3311 or (800) 533-3131 on or before July 27, 2014 and identify yourself as an attendee of the 2014 Pennsylvania Economic Development Association Fall Conference room block.  After this deadline - or once capacity has been reached - reservations will be accepted upon availability at prevailing hotel rates.  

*Hershey® Lodge is a trademark used with permission. 

 

PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION

 

The Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute (PEDI) is also offering a pre-conference workshop entitled Introduction to Tax-Exempt Financing, which will be led by Jonathan Cox of Rhoads & Sinon and Kenetha Hansen of the York County Economic Alliance.  Separate registration is required.

 

SPONSORSHIP / EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES

 

PEDA and our valued sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers look forward to seeing you in Hershey this fall!  And please note that sponsorships, exhibit space and advertising options are still available!

 

Thank you to our 2014 Fall Conference sponsors, exhibitors and supporters!

 

 

PLATINUM SPONSOR

 

 

 

 

WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR

 

 

 

 

SILVER SPONSORS

 

    
                

BRONZE SPONSORS

  

 

 

TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR

 

 

 

EXHIBITORS & SUPPORTERS

 

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

 

Quandel    ESRI

 

Centre County Industrial Development Corporation

 

Team Pennsylvania Foundation

 

 

Young Professional Scholarship Opportunity

 

Click here to access the Young Professional Scholarship Request Form.  This scholarship opportunity is made available through the generosity of FirstEnergy Corp.  

 

Other Upcoming Events

 

Please be sure to register for these two September events, for which registration has just been opened!

 

Event	Date	Location
Best Practices in Effectively Utilizing Economic Impact Analyses	9/10/2014	Webinar
Credit Analysis 201: Applied Methods & Techniques	9/17/2014	Harrisburg

9.10.14 – Webinar - Best Practices in Effectively Utilizing Economic Impact Analyses

9.17.14 – Live – Credit Analysis: Applied Methods and Techniques

10.6.14 – Live Preconference – Introduction to Tax-Exempt Financing

10.6.14 – 10.8.14 – 2014 PEDA Fall Conference

SEDA-COG has been awarded a grant through the DCED Discovered and Developed in PA Program to convert our internal financial analysis and risk rating system to a web-based system to be used by DCED as well as the State’s Certified Provider network.  The name of the system is the Financial Analysis and Credit Tool System (FACTS).  The intention was to develop a system to help standardize the financial analysis of a borrower and risk rating not only for an initial loan application to DCED, but to be able to analyze the performance of a borrower throughout the life of their loan.  This would lead to better speed and efficiency of the financial analysis capability of DCED staff when reviewing a loan request as well as enhance the ability of Certified Providers to review their existing portfolio.  FACTS can be used for any loan program that a Certified Provider provides, whether it is a DCED loan program or an internal revolving loan fund.  DCED has already begun using FACTS and they are quite pleased with the results so far.

On Tuesday, June 17^th, from 10:30 to 12:30, SEDA-COG will be holding a training opportunity on FACTS and how it can help your loan department.  It will be located in the DCED building (Commonwealth Keystone Building) in Harrisburg.  Despite the short notice, I hope as many of you as possible can attend this event.  For more information on FACTS, please visit www.efactspa.com or contact John Reichard at reichard@seda-cog.org.

Dear PEDA Member: This is a call to action from Vito Gallo, PEDA Advocacy Committee Chair and David Black, PEDA President. Legislation designed to streamline the application process for business financing programs is moving in Harrisburg. PEDA has created this action alert so that you can make legislative contacts quickly and simply. To send the letter below to your legislators – customizing it if you so wish – click on the link to “take action now”, enter your address, and send the sample letter of support for HB1550 as it was amended in the House Commerce Committee on June 4th. We’re hopeful that the bill will come before the full House next week and are asking that you please contact your Representatives to express your support for the amended HB1550 today or tomorrow while they are in their districts. A link to the bill can be found at http://bit.ly/1obtkQqand more detailed information on this legislation can be viewed at http://www.peda.org/legislativenews. Based on the House Commerce Committee’s unanimous passing of the bill as amended, please be encouraged to submit your questions and comments to PEDA. Thank you for your participation and please look for additional PEDA action alerts in the coming weeks pertaining to other advocacy priorities.

Dear Representative:

Issue: House Bill 1550 – Business Financing Programs Application Streamlining

Position: Please support the amended HB1550.

House Bill 1550, sponsored by Rep. Duane Milne, was amended and unanimously passed by the House Commerce Committee on June 4.  At that time, an amendment, developed in concert with DCED, House staff, and PEDA, was offered, and adopted.  The purpose of the bill is to provide businesses with a one- stop -shop for financing that better leverages assets and provides for future projects through reinvesting loan repayments.  The bill simply consolidates existing programs, AND IS REVENUE NEUTRAL.  It is a “good government” initiative, and should become law, in time to be implemented with the coming budget.  In summary, the benefits of the amended bill are as follows.

• Loan application process will be streamlined and create a “one-stop shop” for businesses.
• Program revisions will make these financing programs more useful to businesses and more responsive to an ever changing economy.
• Program consolidation will result in more efficient management of these financing programs and allow Pennsylvania to compete with financing programs offered by other states.

Thank you for supporting job creating programs.

Click HERE to take action now!