About

    What is a CEDS?

    The Economic Development Administration defines the CEDS as a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. A CEDS is the result of a regionally-owned planning process designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. It is a key component in establishing and maintaining a robust economic ecosystem by helping to build regional capacity (through hard and soft infrastructure) that contributes to individual, firm, and community success. The CEDS provides a vehicle for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about what capacity building efforts would best serve economic development in the region.

    • Executive Summary
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Background & SWOT Analysis
    • Action Plan
    • Performance Measures
    • Appendices

    An approved CEDS is necessary for The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission to retain its designation as an Economic Development District and for regional projects to be eligible for US Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding to build infrastructure, support planning and technical assistance, and establish revolving loan funds.The CEDS framework also allows economic development stakeholders to better leverage limited regional

    What is Recovery & Resiliency?

    The US EDA notes that economic resilience includes “three primary attributes: the ability to recover quickly from a shock, the ability to withstand a shock, and the ability to avoid the shock altogether.” Resilience is achieved through planning with the intent to prevent loss and evaluate unavoidable impacts; anticipate and build capacity to withstand change; recover from disruptions quickly; and ultimately improve overall economic conditions.

    Board of Directors

    • Ann Losey, Cameron County Commissioner, 1st Vice Chair
    • Lori Reed, Cameron County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Cliff Clark, Cameron Co. Planning Representative
    • Dennis McKimm, Cameron County Industry Rep., Emporium Hardwood
    • Dave Glass, Clearfield County Commissioner, 2nd Vice Chair
    • John Sobel, Clearfield County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Jodi Brennan, Clearfield Co. Planning Representative
    • Kristy Smith, Clearfield County Industry Rep., United Electric
    • Matt Quesenberry, Elk County Commissioner
    • Joe Daghir, Elk County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Tracy Gerber, Elk County Planning Representative
    • Eric Wolfe, Elk County Industry Rep., Horizon Technology Inc.
    • Padaric McGrath, McGrath CPA, LLC, Secretary/ Treasurer
    • Jeff Pisarcik, Jefferson County Commission
    • Scott North, Jefferson County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Jamie Lefever, Jefferson Co. Planning Representative
    • Jim Sleigh, Jefferson County Industry Rep., ProChem Tech International
    • Carol Duffy, McKean County Commissioner
    • Tom Kreiner, McKean County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Richard Fry, McKean Co. Planning Representative
    • Susan Zook Wilson, McKean County Industry Rep., Zook Motors Inc.
    • Nancy Grupp, Potter County Commissioner, Chair
    • Paul Heimel, Potter County Commissioner, Alternate
    • Will Hunt, Potter County Planning Representative
    • Doug Morley, Potter County Education Rep.
    • Abbi Peters, At-large – PA Wilds
    • Carolyn Newhouse, At-large – Bradford Area Alliance
    • Dr. Jill Martin-Rend, At-large BC3@Brockway

    Executive Committee

    • Jeff Pisarcik, Jefferson County Commissioner
    • Carol Duffy, McKean County Commissioner, Past Chair
    • Nancy Grupp, Potter County Commissioner, Chair
    • Ann Losey, Cameron County Commissioner
    • Dave Glass, Clearfield County Commissioner
    • Matt Quesenberry, Elk County Commissioner
    • Scott North, Governance Committee
    • Padraic McGrath, Audit and Finance Committee
    • Will Hunt, Vice-Chair, RPO Transportation Committee
    • Dr. Jill Martin-Rend, Vice Chair CEDS Committee

    The makeup of the North Central Board of Directors is in full compliance with EDA Regulations regarding Board Composition according to Section 304.2(c) and includes representatives of private sector, public officials, community leaders, private individuals, representatives of workforce development boards, institutions of higher education.

    CEDS Committee

    Planning Representative: Cliff Clark, Cameron County IDA

    Economic Development Representative: David Greene, Northern Tier Community Action Corporation

    Industry Representative: Tina Johns-Solak, Cameron County Chamber of Commerce

    Planning Representative: Jodi Brennan, Clearfield County Planning

    Economic Development Representative: Janie French, Headwaters Charitable Trust

    Industry Representative: Paul McCloskey, Clearly Ahead Development

    Planning Representative: Tracy Gerber, Elk County Planning

    Economic Development Representative: Tina Gradizzi (Chair), City of St. Marys

    Industry Representative: Tom Detsch, SGL Carbon

    Planning Representative: Katie Donald, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

    Economic Development Representative: Jamie Lefever, Jefferson County Department of Development

    Industry Representative: Jill Martin-Rend (Vice Chair), BC3@Brockway

    Planning Representative: Richard Fry, McKean County Planning Commission

    Economic Development Representative: Kate Kennedy, Kane Area Development Center

    Industry Representative: Anita Dolan, Bradford OECD

    Planning Representative: Will Hunt, Potter County Planning Commission

    Economic Development Representative: Ellen Russell, Potter County Community Development

    Industry Representative: C. Robert Wicker, Potter County Education Council

    • Department of Environmental Protection: Erin Wells, Local Government Liaison
    • Governor’s Action Team/PA Department of Community + Economic Development: Kim Thomas, Northwest Regional Director
    • PA State Representatives:
      • Rhonda Race, Office of the Honorable Mike Armanini (R- District 75)
      • Jill Grosch, Office of the Honorable Martin Causer (R-District 67)
      • Tracy Clark, Office of the Honorable Brian Smith (R- District 66) PA
    • State Senator: Zachary Ankeny, Office of the Honorable Cris Dush (R-District 25) United States
    • Department of Agriculture: Gary Reed, Area Director (Western Region)
    • Workforce Solutions for North Central PA: Pamela Streich, Executive Director
    • Lumber Heritage Region: Holly Komonczi, Executive Director
    • McKean County Economic Development: Robert Veilleux, Economic Development Liaison
    • North Central PA LaunchBox: Bradley Lashinsky, Program Director
    • PA Wilds Center: Hannah Brock, Branding and Licensing Partnerships Manager
    • Ridgway Borough: Michael Handley, Borough Manager
    • Ridgway Township: Michelle Bogacki, Secretary

    Resilience Sub-Committee

    • Amy Kessler, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission
    • Sherry Dumire, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission
    • Jodi Brennan, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
    • Tina Gradizzi, City of St. Marys, Pennsylvania
    • Pam Streich, Workforce Solutions for North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission
    • Jill- Martin Rend, BC3@Brockway
    • Katie Donald, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

    The makeup of the CEDS committee is in full compliance with EDA Regulations regarding Board Composition according to Section 304.2(c) and includes representatives of private sector, public officials, community leaders, private individuals, representatives of workforce development boards, institutions of higher education. The members have several roles and activities including but not limited to providing guidance on regional economic issues, periodical updates and amendments of the CEDS document (input, draft reviews, and adoption), guidance, direction, and advice concerning grant opportunities.