News

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!

With PEDA's spring conferences annually held in the state capital of Harrisburg, we continue the practice of holding our fall conferences in various locations around the state, allowing our members and their communities to be highlighted for all they have to offer.  This October 6th through 8th, PEDA will hold the 2014 Fall Conference at the Hershey® Lodge*!       

 

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!     

 

SPONSOR BENEFITS

 

Recent PEDA conferences have focused on current issues, industries and trends pertinent to economic development and to the regions selected for these events.  As our Conference committee and leadership strive to provide high quality content and venues, we also turn our attention to our members and partners whose participation as sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers allows us to continually improve the experience being offered.

 

As you read about available sponsorship, exhibitor, and advertiser opportunities associated with the 2014 Fall Conference, I encourage you to also consider partners in your own communities who may benefit from sponsoring this or future conferences or from reserving an exhibit booth at one of PEDA's events.  As the statewide association for economic developers, we believe these venues present ideal opportunities to receive continuing education, make new connections, and share best practices.  Please consider raising your own profile or that of a partner by participating as a sponsor for the 2014 Fall Conference.  The registration brochure hits the streets next month, so make your commitment today in order to maximize the benefits you receive!

 

COMMITTED SPONSORS

 

Please join our sponsors who have already committed, including: 

 

 

WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR

 

 

 

SILVER SPONSORS

 

      

 

 

BRONZE SPONSORS

 

      

 

TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR

 

 

 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

 

Room rates for this conference have been negotiated to a discounted rate of $179/night for single or double accommodations and 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 or when the room block reaches capacity - whichever comes first - and identify yourself as an attendee of the 2014 Pennsylvania Economic Development Association Fall Conference room block.  Reservations may be made at the discounted rate by July 27th or until our room block has reached capacity, whichever comes first.  Reservations after such time will be accepted upon availability at prevailing hotel rates.

  

*Hershey® Lodge is a trademark used with permission.

Pennsylvania. Built to Advance.

At PEDA's 2014 Spring Legislative Conference, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) unveiled it's brand new "Pennsylvania. Built to Advance." video.  If you missed it or would like to see it again, please choose one of the following links.

Direct Link HD  /  Direct Link SD /  Download

 

PEDA's 2014 Spring Legislative Conference includes several panel discussions and, as we've done in recent years, we'd like to solicit questions in advance.  By using the following links, you may submit your questions (anonymously if you so wish) for consideration by the presenters.  These surveys will remain open until the week prior to the conference and your feedback is appreciated! 

 

On March 20^th, the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved guidelines for nine grant programs and began accepting applications on March 21^st. These programs provide grants for transportation improvements, greenways, trails and parks, small water and sewer projects, and a variety of other environmental improvement projects.  Guidelines for the following program – as well as the CFA’s Application and Approval schedule – can be accessed by visiting www.newpa.com or the CFA website.    

• Baseline Water Quality Data Program

• Multimodal Transportation Fund

• Sewage Facilities Program

• Watershed Restoration Protection Program

• Orphan or Abandon Well Plugging Program

• PA Small Water and Sewer Program

• Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program

• Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Program

• Flood Mitigation Program

 

Don't miss your last opportunities to earn PDUs this fiscal year! Register today for:

 

• March 31^st Webinar – Bridging the Gap Between Economic Development, Academia & Business    
• April 28^th – 30^th Spring Conference - 2014 PEDA Spring Legislative Conference
• April 28^th Preconference Session – Best Practices in Lender Negotiations & Client Management
• April 28^th Preconference Session – Strategies for Social Media Success in Economic Development
• May 7^th Webinar – Fostering Leadership Competencies