News

Click here to review Governor Corbett's 2014-15 Proposed Commonwealth Budget as presented today.

House Democratic Policy Committee (PUBLIC HEARING)   

Hearing on link between education & economic development

TUESDAY - 1/21/14

1:00 p.m., Yorktowne Hotel, 48 East Market Street, York

Public hearing on the link between education and economic development

 

 

House Democratic Policy Committee (PUBLIC HEARING)   

Hearing on economic development

WEDNESDAY - 1/22/14

3:00 p.m., Southern Market Center, Lancaster

Public hearing on economic development

Governor Tom Corbett announced the awarding of 58 RACP projects totaling over $133 million. These projects are expected to create or sustain nearly 45,000 Jobs in 24 counties across the commonwealth. Please click here to download a listing of the RACP projects awarded by Governor Corbett. Please click here to download the press release associated with these awards.

Please mark your calendar for these upcoming PEDA and PEDI opportunities and visit our website, where important information on new offerings is regularly being added.  Sessions marked with an asterisk are also recognized by the EDP certification program of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA).

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: BEST PRACTICES IN PARTNERSHIPS* Webinar! Registration is open!

January 29, 2014 ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Workforce Development)

 

WHEN SMALL COLLEGES CONNECT, BIG THINGS HAPPEN!* Webinar!

March 26, 2014 ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Entrepreneurship)

 

BEST PRACTICES IN LENDER NEGOTIATIONS & CLIENT MANAGEMENT* (Hilton Harrisburg - Preconference)

April 28, 2014 ● 3.00 organizational PDUs (Finance)

 

STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT * (Hilton Harrisburg - Preconference)

April 28, 2014 ● 3.00 organizational PDUs (Marketing)

 

2014 PEDA SPRING LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE (Hilton Harrisburg)
April 28 - 30, 2014 ●PDU information is forthcoming.

 

FOSTERING LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES* Webinar!

May 7, 2014 ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Organizational Management)

 

BEST PRACTICES IN EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSES*Webinar!

September 10, 2014 ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Marketing)

 

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EB-5 FINANCING & THE ANATOMY OF A DEAL*

ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Finance)

 

REVISITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPER'S TOOLBOX*

ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 2.00 organizational PDUs (Finance)

 

REDEVELOPING BLIGHTED PROPERTIES: FINANCING SOLUTIONS*
ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Finance)

 

MEASURING IMPACT TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS*
ON DEMAND WEBINAR  ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Marketing / PR)

 

BEST DATA SOURCES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH*

ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Marketing / PR)

 

REDEVELOPING BLIGHTED PROPERTIES: TOOLS AND STRATEGIES*

ON DEMAND WEBINAR ●1.50 organizational PDUs (Real Estate Development / Redevelopment)

 

LENDING IN GREENER PASTURES: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LENDING*
ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Finance)

 

TRENDS IN ONLINE SITE SELECTION & GIS TECHNOLOGY*
ON DEMAND WEBINAR ● 1.50 organizational PDUs (Real Estate Development / Redevelopment)

 

With the holidays just around the corner, registration is now open for our first webinar of 2014!  Please follow the link below to learn more, to view the registration brochure or to register! 

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: BEST PRACTICES IN PARTNERSHIPS* Webinar

Preparing today’s workforce for in-demand jobs is a key component in the fight to rebuild Pennsylvania’s economy. Strong partnerships between industry and organizations focused on workforce development are essential if the workplace needs of employers and employees are to be effectively met.

This program will address common challenges and pitfalls associated with building and maintaining strong partnerships in the world of workforce development while laying out a step-by-step blueprint through which the successful development of multi-organization partnerships can be achieved. This approach, which is based on best practices utilized by successful Pennsylvania economic development organizations, will include the use of case studies as well as discussion of several key elements ranging from the identification of partners to relationship building and definition of roles to strategic planning and, of course, information sharing and communication. In line with the motto of our presenters, practitioners must plan, implement, fine tune and then repeat in order to consistently meet the needs of our community’s workforces.

Professionals who will benefit from this session include, but are not limited to, economic development professionals, individuals whose responsibilities include any aspect of workforce development such as consensus-building, educational or industry partnerships, relationship management, etc. Also benefiting are those interested in gaining a stronger understanding of best practices in this area of subject matter or simply finding new value for clients.

This session is recognized by PEDA, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute and by the EDP certification program of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA).

With one week remaining until our last training of CY 2013, registration has also opened for our January 29th webinar, Workforce Development: Best Practices in Partnerships.  Please read the below overviews and click on the provided links to view the registration brochures or to register!

 

EB-5 FINANCING & THE ANATOMY OF A DEAL* Webinar

 

You’ve probably heard the term at economic development conferences. Maybe you’ve seen the headlines in economic development and financing blogs. Or maybe you’ve heard that Pennsylvania leads the nation in EB-5 financing projects. Now you can find out how EB-5 financing can work for you in getting your next big project off the ground.  Here’s what it is and how it works:

 

Overseen by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides foreign nationals the opportunity to become conditional permanent residents for two years upon making an investment of $500,000 in a qualifying project that will create at least ten new, direct or indirect jobs for U.S. workers. EB-5 investors must submit an immigration application to the USCIS with a comprehensive business plan that is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that the investment project meets the job creation requirements of the EB-5 Program.

Investment Structure

EB-5 Program qualifying investments are typically made through newly formed limited partnerships that make an interest-only loan to a job creating project or business for a five-year term. Information regarding the investment and the job creating enterprise are presented to investors through a private placement offering and to the USCIS as an integral part of each investor immigrant’s application.

Benefits of EB-5 Financing

• Source of Capital for government agencies and private businesses at competitive, below-market fixed interest rates; no cost to taxpayers
• Creative Financing Vehicle for private lender financing during a period when credit is restricted and economic development programs have been cut
• Source of Job Creation in the United States during time when the economy is weak and national unemployment rate is high
• Supported by Government Authorities on a state, regional and local level
• Promotes Economic Development in economically challenged areas

Since 2001, the State of Pennsylvania has had an approved regional center in partnership with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and CanAm Enterprises, a leading promoter of EB-5 Investment Funds. As economic development professionals, you need to know about this burgeoning financing opportunity for your next project.

Click on the session title above to learn more.
 

This session is recognized by PEDA, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute and by the EDP certification program of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA).  

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: BEST PRACTICES IN PARTNERSHIPS* Webinar

Preparing today’s workforce for in-demand jobs is a key component in the fight to rebuild Pennsylvania’s economy. Strong partnerships between industry and organizations focused on workforce development are essential if the workplace needs of employers and employees are to be effectively met.

This program will address common challenges and pitfalls associated with building and maintaining strong partnerships in the world of workforce development while laying out a step-by-step blueprint through which the successful development of multi-organization partnerships can be achieved. This approach, which is based on best practices utilized by successful Pennsylvania economic development organizations, will include the use of case studies as well as discussion of several key elements ranging from the identification of partners to relationship building and definition of roles to strategic planning and, of course, information sharing and communication. In line with the motto of our presenters, practitioners must plan, implement, fine tune and then repeat in order to consistently meet the needs of our community’s workforces.

Professionals who will benefit from this session include, but are not limited to, economic development professionals, individuals whose responsibilities include any aspect of workforce development such as consensus-building, educational or industry partnerships, relationship management, etc. Also benefiting are those interested in gaining a stronger understanding of best practices in this area of subject matter or simply finding new value for clients.

Click on the session title above to learn more.

This session is recognized by PEDA, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute and by the EDP certification program of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA).

WEDNESDAY – 12/4/13

Senate Democratic Policy Committee

2:00 p.m., HACC Harrisburg Campus, International Room, Cooper Student Center, One Hacc Drive, Harrisburg  Roundtable discussion on workforce development and job training with special focus on training for individuals entering the workforce and matching them with today’s real-world jobs

Please be advised that the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee will be holding a meeting/hearing on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. in Room 8E-A East Wing (Main Capitol Complex, Harrisburg, PA).

 

The meeting portion will be to consider SR183 [Yaw] (A Resolution recognizing the economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and Pennsylvania), to be followed by a hearing. The hearing portion is for the purpose of looking at the subject of tourism in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to evaluate where Pennsylvania is currently positioned (including in comparison to other states) and headed with regard to tourism and the marketing of tourism (both at the state and local level) given that this industry is an important and integral part of Pennsylvania’s economy (i.e. tax revenues, jobs, overall economic impact, etc.).  It will also provide an opportunity to discuss the Pennsylvania Tourism Partnership (PTP) initiative, other tourism initiatives (proposed or otherwise) and issues of import in relation to the upcoming Budget Process (Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015).

 

Please see the enclosed agenda.

 

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.

Recent conferences hosted by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) have addressed such topics as regional transformation, energy, brownfield revitalization, job creation and retention and legislative issues.  The content of these events has been carefully planned to ensure its timeliness, impact and value to our members and partners.  Our success, however, also hinges upon the support we receive from our sponsors, whose generosity allows us to continue to offer high quality conferences while maintaining a steady cost structure. 

 

We appreciate your involvement in economic development efforts within the commonwealth and respect your need to develop budgets several months in advance.  To assist you in your decision-making process, PEDA is currently offering a 10% discount to organizations committing to serve as sponsors at BOTH of the next two consecutive conferences.  This offer provides you with a platform to reach the economic development community and its partners at a lower, more cost-effective rate.   

 

Among benefits available to sponsors are banner placement, guest passes to attend evening networking receptions, ad space in the conference program book, customized signage and special recognition before, during and after the conference, in addition to others.  Please consider the following, which are detailed in the enclosed sponsorship brochure:

 

• Platinum Level Sponsorship (Exclusive)
• Monday Reception Sponsorship (Exclusive)
• Tuesday Reception Sponsorship (Exclusive)
• Gold Level Sponsorship
• Silver Level Sponsorship
• Bronze Level Sponsorship
• Additional Sponsor, Exhibitor and Advertiser Opportunities (as outlined in the enclosed document)

Conference attendees will come from PEDA’s membership and from partners in government, business and industry to learn from each other and from experts in the field.  The 2014 Spring Conference, annually held in Harrisburg, will focus on legislative issues while the 2014 Fall Conference will be held in Hershey and will address current issues affecting economic development and industry.

 

Pennsylvania is faced with many opportunities now and, as we strive to do our part to grow out state and regional economies, PEDA appreciates your sponsorship consideration.  If you would like to submit a completed sponsorship application, feel free to contact my office at 717-441-6047.  Thank you for your support and dedication to the economic well-being of our commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Joshua L. Skopp | Executive Director

Pennsylvania Economic Development Association

Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute

908 North Second Street | Harrisburg, PA 17102

Phone: 717.441.6047 | Fax: 717.236.2046

www.peda.org | ~Upcoming Events ~

PEDA just wrapped up its annual Fall Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown!

On Monday, preceding the Welcome Reception, a PEDI preconference session (Economic Development Financing: Deal Structuring), a tour of the Historic Carrie Blast Furnace, and a series of committee meetings were held, ending with the Fall meeting of the PEDA Board of Directors.

The event officially kicked off on Tuesday morning with a thought-provoking keynote presentation by Bill Flanagan, Executive Vice President - Corporate Relations - for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, focusing on the story of the transformation of the economy of Pittsburgh over 30 years. Throughout subsequent sessions, conference attendees were treated to informative presentations focusing on such timely issues as Pennsylvania's competitive edge in additive manufacturing, utilization of water assets for economic development, a variety of shale gas related issues, the impacts of the film industry and tourism on the commonwealth and the latest with regard to all issues DCED. A full slate of speakers is available here.

During Tuesday's lunch, PEDA Membership Awards were presented to organizations that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in economic development and significantly contributed to the well being of their communities. This year's award recipients included:

• 2012 Economic Development Agency of the Year - Franklin County Area Development Corporation
• 2012 Economic Development Project of the Year - Volvo Construction Equipment, Inc.; Headquarters for the Americas
• 2012 Economic Development Partner of the Year - Catalyst Connection
• 2012 Economic Development Program of the Year - Berks County Industrial Development Authority

This event could not have been so successful without the help of many individuals and organizations dedicated to economic development, beginning with our sponsors, whose generous support allowed for the development of a truly top-notch event. A special thank you is also extended to our exhibitors, advertisers and Conference Committee members (recognized later in this email) for their involvement. Finally, many thanks to our presenters for sharing their time and expertise and to all of our attendees who were a part of this year's event.

 

Photos from the conference will soon be available on PEDA's Facebook page, where we welcome you to "Like" us. Conference attendees will also be receiving a link to a brief survey in the coming days and they are encouraged to take a few minutes to provide valued feedback. Thank you in advance!

 

Please join us at the Hilton Harrisburg from April 28 - 30, 2014 for our annual Spring Legislative Conference (hotel block information is available now) and at the Hershey Lodge from October 6 - 8, 2014 for our annual Fall Conference.

Thank you to our 2013 Fall Conference Sponsors, Exhibitors and Supporters!

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

attendee gift SPONSOR

Exhibitors & Supporters*

Team Pennsylvania Foundation

Centre County Industrial Development Corporation

Business & Community Financing Solutions

Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County

SSM Group, Inc.

Moody & Associates

Buchart Horn, Inc.

Langan Engineering

Regional Development Funding Corporation

ESRI

Cohen & Grigsby

First National Bank

Houston Harbaugh

Members of PEDA's 2013 Fall Conference Committee include (in alphabetical order) Donna Bates, Emily Buka, Cecelia Cagni, Mike Coonley, Gary Dovey, Deb Eckelberger, Juan Garrett, Dana Kendrick, Howard Lieberman, Betsy Lockwood, Barry Surma, Mary Stollar, Art Tintori (Chair) and Dick Wallace.

*Exhibitors and advertisers not mentioned in metal level sponsorships

Joshua L. Skopp | Executive Director

Pennsylvania Economic Development Association

Pennsylvania Economic Development Institute

908 North Second Street | Harrisburg, PA 17102

Phone: 717.441.6047 | Fax: 717.236.2046

www.peda.org | ~Upcoming Events~