Our Mission
We are the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity.
Our Values
Inclusive – We seek to create an organization and community where everyone feels that they belong.
Data Driven – We root our evaluation and activities in data.
Collaborative – We convene and connect leaders in our business and community to move us forward.
Positive – We are unapologetically, relentlessly positive storytellers about our work and region.
“For 140 years, through different names and different eras, this organization has served as a convener, an advocate, and, most importantly, a catalyst.”
Ryan Unger, President & CEO
Almost every day, I take a walk along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. If you’ve seen me, it may look like my 60-plus-pound rescue doodle Harrison is taking me for a walk. Along our route, we pass a historical marker at Front and Muench Streets that tells the story of Mira Lloyd Dock and Harrisburg’s City Beautiful movement.
On that marker, it notes that on December 20, 1900, Dock addressed the Harrisburg Board of Trade and catalyzed what became one of the most transformative civic movements in our city’s history. Her vision reshaped our parks, our riverfront, and our sense of place. More than a century later, her work remains part of what makes our capital city a great place to live and recreate.
The Harrisburg Board of Trade was the predecessor to today’s Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. For 140 years, through different names and different eras, this organization has served as a convener, an advocate, and, most importantly, a catalyst.
That word matters to us. It defines our awards program. It anchors our refreshed mission statement:
We are the region’s catalyst for economic prosperity.
And it shapes how we measure success.
In 2025, we saw record performance across our work. We welcomed 123 new members. We hosted 60 events with more than 5,600 attendees. CREDC facilitated $12.5 million in low-interest financing, generating a $92 regional return for every $1 invested. We supported catalytic projects through RACP and Local Share Account grant funding, leveraging tens of millions in public and private investment across our region. Helping nonprofits and businesses thrive.
These outcomes are the result of an exceptional team, deeply engaged volunteers, committed investors in our CREDC campaign, and business leaders who choose to step up for our region. The data reflects it. The impact confirms it.
But our work is never about a single year’s numbers.
What drives us each day is a larger question: what is the next “City Beautiful” movement for Harrisburg and our region? What is the next idea, investment, or partnership that will reshape our economy and strengthen our communities for generations?
Our role is to catalyze it.
We are proud of the year reflected in this report. And we are even more energized by what comes next.
By the Numbers
In 2025 we:
Policy & Advocacy
Convened Leaders
Hosted 10 Policy Pulse Speaker Series events featuring cabinet officials, advocates, and elected leaders.
Advocated in Washington
Led a multi-chamber advocacy trip representing 7 counties to meet with members of Congress and federal agency leaders.
Advanced Policy Solutions
Supported legislative progress on child care access, permitting reform, and energy development.
Expanded Communication
Launched the Policy Pulse Bi-Weekly Newsletter.
Accreditation
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber is the only Chamber of Commerce in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties to earn the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 5-Star Accreditation.
This distinction is held by just 1 percent of chambers nationwide and reflects strong governance, financial stewardship, and high-quality programs that benefit the region.
Capital Access & Financing
CREDC facilitated $10.5 million in low-interest financing in 2025 to support business growth, retention, and expansion across the region.
By the Numbers
Project Highlights
Local Share Account Statewide (LSA) Grants
CREDC supported organizations through the competitive Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) Grant Program, helping nonprofit applicants prepare strong submissions and navigate state requirements.
By the Numbers
Local Share Account (LSA) Supported Projects
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grants (RACP)
RACP is a Pennsylvania state-funded reimbursement grant program that supports regional economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects. CREDC assists businesses with the application process and provides guidance.
Project Highlights
“Partnering with CREDC through the LSA and RACP programs has been instrumental in advancing the YWCA’s capital projects. Their team understands the complexity of state funding programs and provided steady guidance, strategic insight, and hands-on support throughout the process. CREDC helped ensure we were positioned for success and made what can often feel overwhelming much more manageable.”
Mary Quinn, President & CEO of YWCA Greater Harrisburg
Impact Harrisburg Initiative
To build capacity within MBE, WBE, and DBE businesses to secure contracting opportunities, increasing equity and opportunity for our region’s business owners. 2025 was the launch year for this initiative funded by Impact Harrisburg.
South Central PREP Program
The South Central PREP Program (Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance) is a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development initiative that coordinates regional economic development partners. As the coordinator of the PREP program, we seek to align services and strategies to support business growth and investment across the 8-county region of South Central Pennsylvania.
Special Partner Project
Looking Ahead
Together, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC will continue to support business growth, advance catalytic projects, strengthen partnerships, and deliver measurable economic impact across the Capital Region.
