It’s a good time of year to talk about vision.

Here at the beginning of the year, we have the beautiful vantage point of seeing a fresh, clean path ahead of us. Beyond our precious eyesight, vision has a deeper meaning. According to the Oxford Dictionary, vision can also refer to “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.”

Thankfully, we are blessed with talented Boards of Directors behind each of the three organizations under our Alliance umbrella. These community members provide their imagination, wisdom and time, while guiding our organizations for the benefit of Adams County’s economic prosperity and quality of life.

Throughout 2024, our staff and board members have been charting a new course for the Alliance, developing a strategic plan, led by Patrick Ball of CBY Professional Services, based in East Berlin.

And now… we are excited to share this new vision!

Join us on Friday, January 31 for VISION 2025! Here are some highlights:

  • You’ll witness the unveiling of the Alliance’s new strategic plan, nearly a year in the making
  • The plan includes new mission and vision statements, plus core values to guide Adams County’s forward growth
  • Learn how Adams County’s economy dovetails with the big picture of regional and state economic development plans
  • Keynote Speaker Lisa Riggs of Team Pennsylvania will outline progress tied to the state’s economic development strategy, highlighting key areas of opportunities for Pennsylvania to strengthen its competitiveness

We are thrilled to feature Lisa Riggs and we know everyone in attendance will be hanging on her every word. As Team Pennsylvania’s Senior Managing Director for Economic Growth Strategy and Partnerships, she brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to our Commonwealth. She’s previously served in economic development roles in Lancaster County and Baltimore.

Team Pennsylvania, founded in 1997, works together for all Pennsylvanians in public-private partnership, to accelerate the commonwealth’s long-term economic future. A non-profit organization, Team Pennsylvania convenes cross-sector collaboratives on the most transformative economic opportunities in Pennsylvania: agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, with plans to launch future collaboratives in life sciences/biotech and innovation/tech. Each collaborative includes the commonwealth’s top policy-makers and business leaders, as well as leaders of labor, academia, and nonprofits. Together, Team Pennsylvania tackles issues that no one sector can address alone to position Pennsylvania as a leader among states and a competitor among nations, maximizing impact for the commonwealth while creating equity and economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.

Additional important details about VISION 2025:

  • Date: Friday, January 31
  • Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Location: The Barn Resort, 75 Cunningham Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
  • (We are thrilled to spotlight and applaud the adaptive reuse of the former Boyds Bears attraction!)
  • Cost: $50 per person
  • RSVP deadline: Friday, January 17
  • Your ticket includes a delicious lunch at one of Adams County’s newest restaurant attractions!

Here’s how to RSVP:

  • By email: [email protected]
  • By phone: 717-334-0042
  • Payment may be made via check or PayPal

VISION 2025 serves as the Annual Membership Meeting for our Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), celebrating our 36th year assisting Adams County businesses with retention, expansion, attraction and workforce development—all for the greater good of Adams County’s quality of life. Join us on January 31st, as we step into the next phase of our organization’s exciting evolution!

Robin Fitzpatrick is President of Adams Economic Alliance, which comprises three organizations: The Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), the Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) and the Adams County General Authority (ACGA). Follow us on Instagram (@adamscountypa) Twitter (@AdamsAlliance), Facebook (Facebook.com/AdamsAlliance) and LinkedIn (Adams Economic Alliance).

This column originally published in the Gettysburg Times, in January 2025.