Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation

09/17/2026

👀 Curious about where automation and robotics are headed in Central Pennsylvania?

The Manufacturers’ Association of Central PA is opening its doors on September 23 for an Open House featuring its new BAE Systems Automation Training Center and Weldon Solutions Robotics Lab.

Guests can stop by anytime from 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. for a self-guided tour, live demonstrations, and a closer look at the technology, training, and opportunities available to today’s manufacturing community.

📅 September 23, 2026
⏰ 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
📍 3405 Board Road, York, PA

Registration is required. Find the details and reserve your spot here:

https://macentralpa.org/event/open-house/

If you work in manufacturing, technology, workforce development, or economic development, consider sharing this with someone who should attend!

We are opening our doors to Central Pennsylvania manufacturers and the community, and we want you to be a part of it.

09/14/2026

🚧 This week, September 14-18, is National Construction Appreciation Week.

Construction is often associated with job sites, orange cones, and traffic delays. Its actual scope is far larger. Homes, highways, hospitals, and the transportation, manufacturing, and commerce sectors here in Cumberland County, PA all depend on it directly.

This week, we're recognizing all the women and men who build the infrastructure our economy depends on. Their work goes far beyond the job site, and it deserves to be seen.

We also want to give a special shoutout to the construction partners who invest in the CAEDC Partnership: RLS Construction Group, LLC, Pyramid Construction Services, LLC, and Weidner Construction Services. Thank you for your ongoing support!

09/10/2026

🗣️ 📢 LSA Statewide Grant applications currently open. The Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide grant is now open for applications, and interested non-profits can apply through CAEDC.

✅ Non-profit organizations
✅ Economic Development or Tourism component
✅ Projects must be at least $25,000, and the maximum grant request is $1 million
✅ Connect with CAEDC to apply

Eligible uses include:
▶️ Real Estate Acquisition
▶️ Construction
▶️ Demolition
▶️ Infrastructure
▶️ Purchase of vehicles, machinery, and equipment (excluding uniforms, protective equipment, consumable supplies, and furniture)
▶️Planning, Consulting, and Design Costs

Read more here:

Mechanicsburg, Pa. (September 9, 2026) – The Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide grant is now open for applications, and interested non-profits can apply through the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation...

08/27/2026

🚀 The Big Idea Contest is officially open! Got an idea that could change an industry? Compete for $50,000 in prize funding, mentorship, and connections from Ben Franklin Technology Partners CNP.

Apply by October 16 → cnp.benfranklin.org/bigidea

We’re on a mission to make Pennsylvania the best place to age—and we need your ideas! Whether it’s a startup, a concept in development, or just an idea, share your vision for improving the lives of seniors.

08/25/2026

🚧 CAEDC staff were in attendance as Volvo Construction Equipment welcomed community leaders, legislators, and industry partners to see the transformed Shippensburg facility firsthand.

This expansion, which will produce over 50% of Volvo CE's North American machine supply, is a great example of manufacturing growth taking root in our region, and we are grateful to support Volvo CE's continued success alongside our partners.

Learn more about the expansion here 🔽
https://www.volvoce.com/united-states/en-us/about-us/news/2026/volvo-construction-equipment-rolls-out-first-us-built-excavators-and-large-loaders/

08/20/2026

Insurance trends don't wait, and neither should your business strategy.

A big thank you to the McConkey Insurance & Benefits team for sharing practical, real-world strategies to help local businesses stay ahead and make proactive decisions in a changing environment.

Great turnout, thoughtful conversation, and even better takeaways for the Cumberland County, PA business community.

Interested in future events like this? Sign up for our newsletter!
https://cumberlandbusiness.com/enewsletter-signup/

08/12/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Executive Director, Janet Anderson, for being featured in the 2026 CPBJ300 by Central Penn Business Journal!

Janet was honored in the Economic Development category, recognized alongside the region's most influential business leaders shaping Central Pennsylvania's economy. The CPBJ300 spotlights 300 exceptional professionals across 28 categories who are driving growth throughout our region.

With 39 years of economic development experience, Janet leads business expansion, tourism promotion, grant funding, business lending and marketing efforts across Cumberland County. Beyond managing our operations, staff and budget, she serves as CAEDC's primary public voice with businesses, government and community partners.

The Economic Development category recognizes "the region builders, recruiting employers, backing entrepreneurs, and doing the work that keeps Central Pennsylvania a place where opportunity is always within reach," and nearly four decades of Janet's leadership embody that description.

Join us in congratulating Janet on this well-deserved recognition!

https://www.cpbj.com/cpbj300/economic-development/janet-anderson/

08/10/2026

On Friday, CAEDC’s Executive Director, Janet Anderson joined Secretary Shirley of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Carlisle Mayor Sean Shultz, Bill Miller of Carlisle Events, and Jill Gaito to speak on the re-development of brownfield sites in Carlisle.

The event celebrated the transformation of the former IAC/Masland property, as well as the Tyco and Carlisle Tire & Wheel properties, from vacant, contaminated industrial sites into thriving mixed-use destinations featuring housing, retail, a hotel and a restaurant. The milestone highlights how the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, combined with strong partnerships among local, state and community leaders, can transform dormant land into a lasting asset for Cumberland County.

08/07/2026

🗣️📢 Five Cumberland County projects have been awarded funding through Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), totaling $3,850,000.

The approved projects include the Camp Hill Downtown Development ($500,000), which will transform a former Market Street business into a full-service restaurant; Carlisle Community Improvements' renovation of the Carlisle Country Club clubhouse ($1,000,000); an expansion of the Goddard School's early childhood education space ($600,000); a new Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Department station ($1,250,000); and new athletic facilities at West Shore Christian Academy ($500,000).

CAEDC, through its partnership with the Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority, assisted with the application process for the Camp Hill Downtown Development project.

"Downtown Camp Hill continues to attract reinvestment, and this project is a great example," said CAEDC Economic Development Director Greg Welker. "CAEDC, working alongside Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority, supported this application because it strengthens the borough's business district."

These investments reflect the continued growth and reinvestment happening across Cumberland County's business districts, education, public safety, and community infrastructure.

Learn more:

Mechanicsburg, PA – Recently, the Pennsylvania Governor’s office announced the approval of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding throughout the Commonwealth, and five of those are projects from Cumberland...

08/06/2026

CAEDC is seeking a community-minded individual to join our Board of Directors, filling a vacant position for the remainder of a 3-year term running September 2026 through February 2028.

We're looking for candidates who live in Cumberland County or work for a business based here, with professional experience or genuine interest in hospitality management, tourism and destination marketing, business ownership, or the restaurant and food service industry. Nonprofit governance knowledge is a plus, and previous board experience helps, but isn't required.

To apply, submit a letter of interest and resume to [email protected], or mail materials to 230 S. Sporting Hill Road, Suite 100, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

Applications are due Thursday, August 17th, 2026. Questions can be directed to 717-240-7197.

Learn more about the CAEDC Board of Directors here:

Get to know the leadership team and board of directors behind CAEDC and their mission to enhance business and tourism in the region.