This October, we have an exciting opportunity to put Adams County in the spotlight as economic development professionals from across Pennsylvania come to Gettysburg.
Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association’s (PEDA) Fall Conference, taking place October 26–28 at the Wyndham Gettysburg. I hope our local businesses, organizations and community leaders will consider joining us as we welcome colleagues from across the Commonwealth to our community.
PEDA is Pennsylvania’s statewide organization for economic development professionals, bringing together people working every day to grow businesses, strengthen communities, develop our workforce and create new opportunities across the Commonwealth.
For those of us who do this work in Adams County, having PEDA choose Gettysburg for its Fall Conference is particularly exciting. We spend a lot of time talking about what makes our community special and working to move it forward. This conference gives us the chance to share that story with colleagues from across Pennsylvania — while learning from what is working in their communities.
We are especially pleased to welcome Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding as a keynote speaker. Agriculture is such an important part of Adams County’s identity and economy that having Secretary Redding join us makes this year’s conference especially meaningful. He will be joined by other leaders shaping Pennsylvania’s economy, including Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, bringing perspectives on economic growth, investment and the trends affecting communities across the Commonwealth.
Throughout the conference, attendees will hear from professionals working in economic and community development, workforce development, business financing, commercial and industrial development, utilities, transportation and other fields that play a role in building strong local economies.
But you certainly don’t need “economic development” in your job title to participate.
If you own a business, serve in local government, work with a community organization, help develop our workforce, finance projects or simply care about where Adams County is headed, there is value in being part of these conversations.
We have a great story to tell in Adams County. Agriculture may be one of our most recognizable industries, but it is only part of the story. We manufacture products here. We welcome millions of visitors. We have entrepreneurs taking chances on new ideas, small businesses investing in our towns and employers creating opportunities for local families.
We also face challenges. Housing, workforce availability, infrastructure and preparing the next generation for careers here at home are not issues unique to Adams County. Communities across Pennsylvania are wrestling with many of the same questions.
For three days, some of the people working on those challenges will be right here at the Wyndham Gettysburg.
That gives us an opportunity to learn from one another, build relationships and bring new ideas home with us. It also gives us the chance to show our visitors what Adams County has to offer.
Registration is open, and I encourage our local business and community leaders to take advantage of having this statewide gathering in our own backyard. Come meet people doing this work across Pennsylvania. Share what is happening here. Ask questions. Make connections. And help us show our guests why we are proud to call Adams County home.
This October, Pennsylvania’s economic development community is coming to Gettysburg.
Let’s give them a great Adams County welcome.
