Pennsylvania: Open for Business

A Luncheon Featuring Keynote Speaker, Secretary C. Alan Walker

PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)

Secretary Walker will present the new DCED agenda under Governor Tom Corbett.  The Secretary will provide insight on the economic development policies undertaken by the Corbett administration to create a more business friendly environment capable of fostering business growth, investment, and job creation/retention.  The Secretary will also take questions from the public.

Moderated By RJ Harris of WHP 580

When: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 11:30AM to 1:30PM

Where: Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill, PA

Cost: $50 per person, $400 per table

Sponsorship Opportunities Are Still Available

Click here for program agenda

For registration and sponsorship information please contact CCED at (717) 240-7180 or judith@cumberlandbusiness.com

The mission of CCED is to be a catalyst for job creation; entrepreneurship; and business attraction, retention, and expansion on behalf of the citizens of Cumberland County and South Central Pennsylvania

Cumberland County Economic Development (CCED) has provided financing for two energy efficiency projects in Lower Allen Township.  Funds were awarded to the Lower Allen Business Center LLC and The Storing Crew.  The Lower Allen Business Center, which houses nine area businesses, received a $250,000 loan that helped with the construction of a 200.64kw solar energy system and other energy efficient upgrades.  The Storing Crew received a $191,460 loan, which  helped them purchase and install a 179.52 KW grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) electrical generating system as well as replacing other inefficient lighting and equipment systems.

CCED was able to fund these projects through the Cumberland Revolving Energy Loan Fund (CRELF), which was created last year thanks to a $441,460 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  Funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and leveraged  an additional $1,744,460 in private sector investment into Cumberland County's economy. 

"This was our flagship solar project and was a major undertaking for our organization. CCED, at all levels, worked with us every step of the way to ensure that we met all deadlines and properly completed applications for the grants and loans that were available to our business. The project turned out great and provides us with a means to further our development and also a future means to bring additional businesses to our projects within Cumberland County," remarked Steve Werner, Construction Manager at the Lower Allen Business Center.

"We worked in close partnership with CCED in developing our new roof-mounted solar system on Westport Drive in Mechanicsburg," stated Jeff Grubb, a controlling partner of The Storing Crew.  "Their low-cost financing solutions combined with their business insights were important ingredients in the success of this project.  We knew that this project would be good for us and good for our customers who would ultimately have to share in the pain of future electric rate increases.  The energy the system has generated to date is equivalent to more than 7,300 gallons of gasoline.  In one year it will reduce over 2,911 metric tons of CO2, which is equivalent to the electric used by 363 homes in one year.  The fact that the system is environmentally responsible is the icing on the cake," concluded Mr. Grubb.

Omar Shute, Executive Director of CCED said, "the success of this program was a total team effort that involved DOE, Cumberland County, the borrowers, and our organization.  Special thanks goes to Kirk Stoner (Director of Planning for Cumberland County), and the professional staffs of DOE and CCED for their hard work.  Since 2005, CCED has helped generate more than $87 million of private sector investment into Cumberland County's economy, which has resulted in the creation and retention of hundreds of county jobs." 

For more information on business financing contact Angela Aldrich at (717) 240-7183 or visit www.cumberlandbusiness.com.

The mission of CCED is to be a catalyst for job creation; entrepreneurship; business attraction, retention, and expansion on behalf of the citizens of Cumberland County and South Central Pennsylvania.

CCED awards its first loan using the Small Business First program
Loan expected to be the first of many as a state certified Area Loan Organization

Carlisle, PA – Cumberland County Economic Development (CCED) has awarded its first $200,000 Small Business First (SBF) loan to John and Diane Stamy.  This loan will allow the Stamy’s to purchase a new farm and expand their agricultural business.

Thanks especially to overwhelming support from the business community, chambers of commerce, economic development service providers, and county as well as municipal governments, CCED became a certified Area Loan Organization (ALO) in January of 2010.  As such, CCED became authorized by the Department of Community and Economic Development to process state backed economic development loans throughout Cumberland County, PA.  Loan programs available to ALO’s include among others Small Business First and the Community Economic Development program or CED.

“This loan symbolizes a milestone and represents a huge win for CCED and its supporters”, said Omar Shute, Executive Director of CCED.  “Our goal is to be the number one economic development lender in Cumberland County and we are on pace to accomplish that goal by the end of 2010.  We continue to attract investment to Cumberland County, help create as well as retain jobs, and deliver results for citizens and businesses in Cumberland County and the region”, concluded Shute.

The financing deal for the Stamy’s was accomplished thanks to the participation of Orrstown Bank.  Orrstown Bank is a very successful Cumberland County based full service financial institution with 21 branches throughout the region. In addition, Orrstown Bank has been a longtime partner of CCED and was a lending partner in the very first lending program developed by CCED – Cumberland Business First.  “Orrstown Bank continues to provide lots of small business financing through this challenging time and having CCED to partner with on Small Business First loans will help Orrstown do even more economic development deals in Cumberland County” said Jeff Gayman, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer of Orrstown Bank. Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ORRF.

The Small Business First loan program provides low-interest financing for land and building acquisition, construction, machinery and equipment purchases, and working capital.  Through Small Business First, CCED can provide loans for up to $200,000 and depending on the transaction rates can be fixed for as many as 15 years.  To check for eligibility and for further information regarding Small Business First and other financing programs available through CCED, visit our website at www.cumberlandbusiness.com or contact Don Coffee at 717.240.7181 or at don@cumberlandbusiness.com

The mission of CCED is to be a catalyst for job creation; entrepreneurship; business attraction, retention, and expansion on behalf of the citizens of Cumberland County and South Central Pennsylvania.