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IMPACT Across PA | York County

Legacy, a leading designer and producer of collegiate and resort headwear, apparel, fashion accessories and home décor, recently funded the expansion its York County manufacturing facility with a $1.5 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and a $1.5 million Small Business Administration 504 loan. The expansion was realized through the acquisition of adjoining land and construction of a 28,600 square foot building addition. The project is projected to create 20 new positions to the existing workforce of 84. The PIDA loan was accessed through the York County Economic Development Corporation, an affiliated entity of the York County Economic Alliance. The SBA 504 loan was facilitated in partnership with EDC Finance Corporation.

Established in 1992, Legacy has become a nationally recognized brand. From the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, to county artist Blake Shelton - Legacy hats and apparel can be found throughout the country. Legacy shipped thousands of shirts and hats to the victims of Hurricane Harvey this past September.

"Legacy is a true local business success story," states Kenetha Hansen, Director, Economic Development and Financing with York County Economic Alliance. "The business has evolved into a thriving, nationally recognized manufacturer and significant York County employer. The Economic Alliance is thrilled to have facilitated financing tools to support Legacy's expansion."

This story was provided by the York County Economic Alliance.

Chris Gulotta has been the Course Director for the Economic Development Course in Pennsylvania since 2013. Penn State Harrisburg is currently searching for a new course director that can work with Chris during the 2018 course and assume full responsibility in 2019. The Course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and is typically offered the first week in December each year. It has been held at the Eden Resort and Suites in Lancaster for the last 7+ years. The Course is the foundation course for the economic development professional certification through IEDC. 35‐45 individuals typically register for the course each year. Registrants include individuals employed by economic development organizations, community development organizations, and local and state officials, primarily from Pennsylvania.

The Course Director receives a $3,000 stipend and is responsible for:

1. Convening two meetings of the Course Advisory Board each year to discuss course marketing, program content, and scheduling.
2. Recruiting presenters on various topics including business retention and expansion, strategic planning, marketing and attraction, ethics and public/private sector financing.
3. Assisting course presenters with course content to ensure the information is relevant, up‐to‐date, and follows IEDC requirements.
4. Conferring with course administrator on logistics including but not limited to marketing and registration.
5. Attend course sessions (first and last day minimum required) to welcome course registrants, introduce speakers, lead group exercise session, and to hand‐out completion certificates.
6. Represent the course at the annual IEDC Course Director’s meeting (this is part of the IEDC national conference each year).
   

IEDC membership is a plus; however, if you are not a member, the membership fee can be negotiated as part of the position. IEDC membership for the Course Director is a requirement!

By Friday, March 9th, expressions of interest or questions can be directed to:

Michael Behney
Director, Institute of State and Regional Affairs
Penn State Harrisburg
mikebehney@psu.edu

It is with deep sympathy that PEDA informs you of the untimely passing of longtime member and friend, Barry Surma.

Barry was the consummate economic development professional. He could always be counted on for sage advice and guidance and he will be deeply missed. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am Wednesday at St. Demetrius Catholic Church in Gallitzin. Additional information can be found here.

Katrina joined the Erie County Redevelopment Authority in August, 2015.  She serves as the Vice President of Real Estate and Chief Operating Officer.  In her current role she is responsible for all functions of real estate, project and grant development as well as administrative operations including marketing, public relations and human resources.

Prior to joining the Redevelopment Authority, she spent 10 years at DevelopErie ultimately leading the organization as President & CEO where she led economic development efforts for seven organizations.  Katrina also spent three years at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership where she managed the Erie County Business Retention & Expansion Program which was recognized by the Commonwealth as well as the International Economic Development Council as a best practice model.  She also spent three years working in systems improvement project management at the State and County government levels throughout Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, DuBois and Erie. 

Katrina earned an MPA from Gannon University as well as a BA in Politics with a minor in business administration from Messiah College.  She is a 2007 graduate of the Leadership Erie program.  She is Co-Founder of Grady’s Decision, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting premature babies and their families.  She serves as Vice-Chair of the Erie Technology Incubator, and is a member of UPMC Hamot’s Board of Corporators.

Katrina is a proud parent of 9-year old Gianna and 7-year old Gunnar and currently resides in Fairview. 

Click here to read the press release.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the governor of each state to submit a two-year modification of the State Plan outlining the state’s workforce development strategy. Pennsylvania plans to submit a modified Combined State Plan to include the six core programs (Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth, Wagner-Peyser, Adult Basic Education and Vocational Rehabilitation) as well the following optional programs:

• Career and technical education programs authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
• Employment and training programs under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Work programs under Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers Programs
•  Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program
• Senior Community Service Employment Program
• Community Services Block Grant
• Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Program

The Plan is required to be posted for public comment for a minimum of 30 days. Pennsylvania’s WIOA Combined State Plan was posted for public comment on December 15, 2017. Public comment will be accepted until 5 PM on Monday, January 15, 2017. The plan is posted on Labor & Industry’s Workforce Development Plans and Reports webpage and a direct link to the plan can be found here.

Public comment should be submitted, in writing, to RA-LI-PAWDB@pa.gov. It is requested that commenters include page numbers when commenting on specific aspects of the plan to facilitate responses to the comments.

Any questions regarding Pennsylvania’s WIOA Combined State Plan or the public comment process should be directed to RA-LI-PAWDB@pa.gov.

Allentown, PA (October 24, 2017) – During its annual fall conference, held this year at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) honored a number of organizations for their demonstration of outstanding accomplishments in economic development.

Read the full press release here.

Oppose Warehouse Tax in PA

PEDA has been contacted by a number of EDOs regarding the warehouse tax that has been proposed as part of the effort to balance the state budget. As a result, we have created a VoterVoice campaign through which you can contact your legislators and the Governor with a few quick clicks. 

Please visit our Action Center now and click the "Take Action" button to fill in the blanks, using information from your own region, and to send your letter electronically. If any of the text is inapplicable to your community, you may simply delete it.