News

2015 Fall Conference session proposals are being accepted and we encourage you to share your thoughts with us.  Please use the following outline in submitting your proposals to be considered for the October 26-28, 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 Fall Recommendations".  Thank you for your assistance.

Click here to view PEDA's 2015 Spring Conference sponsorship brochure.

Please use the following links to submit your questions in advance of 2015 PEDA Spring Conference panels.

• Regaining Pennsylvania's Economic Mojo
• Attracting International Investment (and Reinvestment): Maximizing Partnerships & Opportunities
• Successfully Working with Coalitions for Advocacy
• Benefits and Challenges of Economic Development Zones
• Supporting Supply Chains: Tools for Analysis & Business Development
• Marcellus Shale - Impacts Going Forward
• A Comprehensive Update on Act 161

Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1550, PN 4270 (Milne, Chester, R-167) into law as Act 161 of 2014.  The legislation represents the successful culmination of the collective efforts of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA), the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the General Assembly, which passed it unanimously. 

Recently, at a ceremonial bill signing at the offices of GasBreaker, Inc., a Malvern-based company that sells its proprietary products in forty-seven states and twenty countries around the world, PEDA President Dave Black remarked, “The intent of this legislation is to better assist and respond to the financial needs of the PA business community and to expand upon PA's economic competitiveness.  It recognizes that economic development is a partnership between state government, economic development organizations and the private sector and is designed to strengthen that partnership.”

Black was joined by Rep. Duane Milne, the legislation’s main sponsor, DCED Secretary Alan Walker and his legislative and policy staff, and PEDA Executive team members Laura Goodrich-Cairns, PEDA Economic Development Committee Chair, Vito G. Gallo, PEDA Advocacy Committee Chairman, and Josh Skopp, PEDA Executive Director. Following the bill signing, attendees toured facilities at GasBreaker, Inc. a growing company that will benefit from the legislation. 

HB 1550 will create a streamlined, customer-friendly, one-stop-shop for Pennsylvania business financing needs.  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 the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (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.

Each year PEDA undertakes a rigorous process to determine its legislative priorities for the year.  The PEDA Advocacy Committee initiates the process, with the PEDA Executive Committee and Board giving final approval.  Vito G. Gallo, AVP for Government Relations at Lehigh University, who leads the committee, stated, "We are proud to celebrate the success of one of our top legislative priorities for 2014, especially one that will benefit PEDA members greatly and improve the business climate in Pennsylvania." 

Members of the PEDA team are working with DCED on the implementation of HB 1550, which contains certain sections that take effect immediately. PEDA will continue to provide updates related to the initiative, which can also be viewed at newPA.com/PIDA.

Would you like to earn a free conference registration?  When you refer a new member of PEDA, they have an option to identify you as their "sponsor".  The PEDA member who sponsors the most new members between now and spring can earn a free registration to PEDA's 2015 spring conference.

PEDA just wrapped up its annual fall conference at the Hershey® Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania!

On Monday, preceding the Welcome Reception held at Tröegs Brewing Company, a PEDI pre-conference session (Introduction to Tax-Exempt Financing) 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 an entertaining keynote presentation by Jim George - Founder and President of All About Hershey - focusing on Milton Hershey's legacy, the Hershey Idea, and the uniqueness of the thriving company town that Milton Hershey established. Throughout subsequent sessions, attendees participated in trainings focusing on such topics as urban development opportunities and challenges, best practices and new developments in business acceleration, workforce challenges, tourism as an economic driver, and the cultivation of the life sciences. The conference closed with our semiannual DCED Update. A list of speaker bios is available here.   

During Tuesday's lunch, PEDA Membership Awards were presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in economic development and significantly contributed to the well-being of their communities. Additionally, three President's Awards were given to recipients who have done exceptional work in advancing economic development efforts in Pennsylvania. Information on this year's award recipients can be accessed here. 

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 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!

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

 *Hershey® Lodge is a trademark used with permission. 

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