Economic Development

Would you like to take on a community project and help your community grow? With the help of Penn State Extension’s resources, you can explore the ins and outs of community development and funding opportunities. Learn how to spearhead projects to improve your community, plan, collaborate, write winning grant proposals, and more.

PA Economic Development

Pennsylvania has the sixth biggest economy in the US, at $815 billion as of December 2019. Other positive features of the state are its top-caliber schools, which allow companies to take advantage of the local graduate pool. Almost 50 of the 1,000 largest public and private companies by sales call Pennsylvania their home.

According to Forbes, though, the population' is expected to be amongst the lowest through to 2023. The state fiscal health is also poorly ranked.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s aim is to reassure businesses that the state is worth investing in. To this end, its mission is to support good stewardship and sustainable development initiatives across the commonwealth. Key industries include natural gas, manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, life sciences, and plastics.

Local Economic Development Opportunities

There are many different ways you can make a difference in your community. You could get involved in your local government by running for office yourself or by influencing elected officials to make your local area a better place to live.

If you understand the economic change in your community, there may be an opportunity for you to make a difference by starting a new business. Legal and regulatory considerations are also crucial for any new business, for example, an agricultural business or retail farm market.

Tourism is an area where local people can make a difference, as well. Communities should aim to provide an authentic, high-quality experience that visitors will remember for a long time. Locals can help identify attractions, act as a first contact service when visitors ask questions and help plan for the future.

Community Supported Agriculture has been active in the United States since the mid-1980s. Today, there are between 30,000 and 50,000 US consumers who belong to a CSA. A CSA involves local people by providing them with an opportunity to support a farmer financially and pay for a share of the farm’s production before each growing season. Members can be further involved by visiting the farm and socializing with other members.

Local people are giving an opportunity to influence land use issues by joining a citizen planning commission. Approximately 65% of Pennsylvania governments have a planning commission. These commissions are advisers on matters relating to the development of the local community.

Economic Development Grants and Funding

Local participation is critical for an economic development program to be successful. However, engaging the local community and getting them involved can be challenging. Capturing the attention of donors is also vital.

Most local governments budget for economic development activities using the city’s general fund. Municipal governments also sometimes indirectly pay for local economic development through incentives, including tax breaks for businesses.

However, these are not the only forms of funding available in Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for funding for a business expansion, a community project, or site revitalization in Pennsylvania, the Department of Community and Economic Development offers various programs to help.

When looking for funding, the first thing to consider is whether there is a specific need for which the funds will be used. A successful grant application depends on whether you can identify a need the funds will be used to meet, writing a winning proposal, and partnering with organizations that have a similar mission to yours.

Outputs and outcomes also play an essential part in grant writing. Much of the information required by the funder is easy to define and convey. Outputs and outcomes require a little more understanding.

In this section, find information and advice on grant writing, ideas on local economic development opportunities, and community project management advice from Penn State Extension experts.