Registration is Now Open!

Pennsylvania Allies Program: Training for

Local Economic Development Stakeholders

Who Should Participate:

This program is NOT designed for full-time economic development professionals.

Rather, it has been designed for professionals working in roles that actively support economic development organizations and their efforts within PA communities (e.g., board members of economic development organizations, local elected officials, community groups / representatives, chambers of commerce, local government workers and the agencies they represent, etc.). PEDA believes that by providing local economic development stakeholders with an introductory understanding of economic development trends and tools (and their own role in becoming champions within their communities), they will have the background, information and confidence to make informed decisions that can directly – and positively – impact the communities in which they live. With instruction by industry professionals and with the benefit of real-life examples, individuals participating in this program will develop a fundamental understanding of what economic development means, today, and what role(s) they can play in the process.

Register for the 2024 Pennsylvania Allies Program

Program Elements:

• Training: The 2024 version of this program will be presented as 6-part series, delivered via Zoom. Credentials for each Zoom will be provided following the completion of registration.

• Certificate: Participants completing the course will receive a certificate, documenting their achievement. (Participation in all 6 virtual sessions is required to receive the certificate, while participation in the reception is optional.)

• Networking: Beyond the intrinsic value of the program’s sessions, PEDA strongly recognizes the importance of networking. For a fee, registrants of this program will have the opportunity to participate in an evening reception scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel (one of the venues at which portions of the 2024 PEDA Fall Conference will take place and registration information for which can be found here.).



• Communication: Participants will receive communications pertinent to economic development.

Program Session Dates*:

• Wed, 8/28/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - Economic Development in Your Community

• Steve McKnight, President & CEO, Altoona Blair County Development Corp
• Theodore Martin, Director, Office of Community Planning, Pennsylvania DCED

• Wed, 9/4/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - Public Finance Tools: Grants & Local Programs

• Ryan Emerson, Director of Grants, Pennsylvania DCED
• Tom Seasoltz, CFO, Altoona Blair County Development Corp

• Wed, 9/11/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - The Changing Workforce

• Jesse McCree, CEO, SCPa Works

• Wed, 9/18/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - The Economic Impact of Recreational Development

• Nathan Reigner, PhD, Director of Outdoor Recreation, Pennsylvania DCNR
• Silas Chamberlin, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer, York County Economic Alliance

• Wed, 9/25/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - Identifying International Business Opportunities for Local Companies

• David Briel, Deputy Secretary, Office of International Business Development, Pennsylvania DCED
• Jennifer Black, Executive Director, Export Development, Office of International Business Development, Pennsylvania DCED

• Wed, 10/2/24 (10-11AM) Zoom - Supporting & Accelerating Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Your Community

• Ryan Glenn, Director of Statewide Initiatives, Ben Franklin Technology Partners

*subject to change

Recognition of Support:

This Project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DCED.

visitPA.com is the official tourism website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Questions should be directed to Tammy K. Linn at tlinn@wannerassoc.com.