Economic Development Council of Central PA ... a regional economic Development PartnershipRegional Map
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The role of the Economic Development Council of Central Pennsylvania (EDC) is to create a system for voluntary inter-county cooperation among the Industrial Development Corporations, counties and other economic development stakeholders of this region. The Council will be a mechanism to increase efficiency, maximize resources and eliminate duplication of economic development activity. The Council’s purpose is to establish, implement and coordinate joint strategies that support and grow the region’s industrial/wealth-generating economic base.

Mandate of the Economic Development Council of Central Pennsylvania

By design, the mandate of the Council is not limited and may include any project or initiative related to the enhancement of county and regional economic development. The mandate of the Council will predominately be “pro-active”, seeking opportunities that will mutually support and benefit member counties and enhance the overall business climate and economic conditions in the region. The mandate will be inclusive of those initiatives and activity approved by the Council membership through consensus.

Specific areas included as part of the Council’s mandate, ranging from short to long-term, include the following:

  • Economic Development Planning: The Council recognizes that in order for counties to mutually support economic activity there must be alignment of economic development planning and integration of strategies.
  • Business Retention and Growth: The Council will explore multi-county strategies for assessing needs and developing joint strategies to facilitate the retention and growth of the region’s existing key industries and competitive industry clusters.
  • Business Attraction & Marketing: The Council will develop progressively integrated attraction strategies that promote positive net regional economic outcomes.
  • Industrial Infrastructure: The Council membership is keenly aware of the cost/benefit of infrastructure development. The mandate of the council will at a minimum seek to ensure that infrastructure management and development is complimentary throughout the region with the possibility of creating joint ventures in future infrastructure planning.
  • Small Business Development: The Council believes that while attraction and retention are vital components of a regional strategy, there must also be a continual effort to promote and support new small business development in the region.
  • Workforce Development: Workforce development is viewed as critically important to the Council and is therefore clearly within the mandate of activities and initiatives of the Council.
  • Quality of Life: “Quality of life” is increasingly becoming a vital component of economic development. The quality of our region is a factor in attracting and retaining companies as well as in maintaining a workforce. The Council sees within its mandate activities and strategies that will both promote the strengths of the region as well as address weaknesses that may impact on our long-term growth. Quality of life issues include, but are not limited to: access to health care; availability and quality of primary, secondary and post-secondary education system; recreational opportunities; arts and culture; diversity; housing factors; and access to transportation.
  • Other Mandated Areas: As stated previously, the Council does not seek to limit or restrict any activities related to regional economic development.

For more information, call Jim King at 1-800-326-9211 or contact the Chamber.