CREDC is thrilled to announce the US Economic Development Association’s (EDA) acceptance of the South Central PA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy!
What’s a CEDS?
A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a unified, regionally focused action plan that provides a framework for an area’s economic growth and community development. The CEDS serves as an economic blueprint for the region and establishes a process that will help create jobs, foster more stable and diversified economies, and improve living conditions. It is a continuous planning process that requires coordination and collaboration. As coordinator of the South Central PA Partnership for Regional Economic Performance (PREP), CREDC is honored to perform in this capacity for the CEDS region.
What does it mean for the region?
Being covered by an EDA accepted CEDS preserves this region’s eligibility to apply for certain types of federal funding, but more importantly it helps the region’s economic development partners find common ground, work together to establish priorities, and guide activities that support the 4 main objectives of the plan for the health and stability of the region’s economy.
Who was involved?
Too many to properly recognize! This was a coordinated effort which required stakeholder engagement from every angle and at all levels. We could never name them all. We extend our thanks to all 9 county economic development organizations that were integral in reaching and adopting the strategy. Those counties include Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry & York. In addition, we thank the additional steering committee members representing Alvernia University, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Millersville University, PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development, PA Manufacturer’s Association, and Penn State Harrisburg.
CREDC led this voluntarily collaborative to achieve a strategy which will cover this region for the next 5 years. We want to extend our appreciation to the team at Thomas P. Miller & Associates, for providing valuable insight and a professional product.
Through this process, the South Central PA CEDS region found its stride working together with a focus on supporting each other and our communities. CREDC also wants to recognize the support of the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development, which through Regional Initiative grant awards within the PREP program helped us secure the assistance of Thomas P. Miller Associates as consultants for this project.
