Steven McKnight is part of a new generation of young professionals bringing fresh energy to the world of economic and community development. In this first installment of a new series, we follow him as he bikes around Blair County, forging connections and spreading the word about the region he loves.
The community in this Northwestern PA city is rallying together, pushing through the tough transition from assembly line to high tech, from divestment to development, and from frustration to hope.
Wellsboro's Highland Chocolates employs people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Buy their famous pretzel bark or take a factory tour to support their vocational training vision.
Filmmaker Zeke Zelker's innovative new project 'Billboard' tells its story via both a full-length feature — starring indie darling Heather Matarazzo and 'Dark Knight' star Eric Roberts — and a web series. One of the main characters is the Lehigh Valley setting, brought to life via a slate of iconic Pennsylvania products.
The organization's goal is to lead the region to a better economic future by growing early-stage companies, helping manufacturers achieve industry leadership, and promoting a favorable business environment.
When downsizing threatened the Letterkenny Army Depot, an essential institution in Franklin County, the community rallied. Determined not to lose a major employer without a fight, local economic development and county government officials sprang into action, making moves that are still paying dividends 20 years later.
On a college campus in Williamsport, PA, a major industry has found a foothold, while students have found a path to nearly 100 percent employment.
Running September 30 - October 6, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Week spotlights the employment opportunities and economic impact of this essential sector. Keystone Edge chatted with DCED Secretary Dennis M. Davin to learn more.
Blight removal in Bethlehem, a redeveloped Allentown Metal Works, a master plan for the envisioned Da Vinci Science City in Easton, an expanded business incubator at Lehigh University – all these and more are moving forward thanks to new grants from the BB&T Economic Growth Fund.
At the long-abandoned 7,000-square-foot Smith Paint Building in downtown Harrisburg, two men are churning out handcrafted vodka, rum, moonshine and more. They are part of a wave of micro-distilleries across Pennsylvania, spurred by an easing of the state's liquor laws.