YCEA | 2025 Year In Review

Combining the power of a Chamber, Economic Development, and Main Street organization,

the York County Economic Alliance advances economic growth by leveraging partnership, resources, and expertise to create enduring prosperity.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

General Authority

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Industrial Development Authority

York Business Improvement District Authority

DOWNTOWN INC

BLOOM Business Empowerment Center

Land Bank Authority

Redevelopment Authority

Firefly Outdoor + Economics Consultancy

PROUDLY YoCo.

The panel and sponsors of April's Economic Insights featuring early childhood education.

Attendees of the 2025 Changemaker Celebration.

Our work is driven by the York County Economic Action Plan to:

FUEL

THE ENGINES OF PROSPERITY

The 2025 Changemakers.

CREATE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

ENHANCE

YORK COUNTY'S SENSE OF PLACE Ke'Aujonea & Mark Simpson | Ethel's Barbecue.

RHI Magnesita site visit with President Commissioner Julie Wheeler and Senator Dawn Keefer.

Abbi Jo Ferree | Granfalloons Tavern.

Jerri Worley (center), accepting a Downtown First Award.

Dancer from Dance It Forward.

$612

Utz Brands event.

FUEL THE ENGINES OF PROSPERITY

MILLION in capital investment across York County.

$426 MILLION in bond issuances.

$8.4 MILLION+ in LSA grant awards awarded to over 30 projects, while supporting the submission of an additional 44 applications requesting a total of $11.4 million.

WellSpan Health signing event.

$2 MILLION

in a PA RACP grant secured for the Northern York County Regional Police Commission, in addition to 2 prior awards totaling $6.5 million.

There is over $105 million in 28 active projects.

All of this would not be possible without the support of our York County State Delegation.

4

Millbourne Groundbreaking Event.

Tom & Natalie Sibol | White Rose Bar & Grill.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING

Ribbon Cutting for the Northern York County Regional Police Commission.

"York College is grateful to the YCEA for its support and professionalism in serving as the pass-through entity for our 2025 bond issuance.

Their experience and guidance contributed to a smooth and efficient process, allowing the College to successfully access financing that supports our long-term institutional goals."

Michael Doweary, CPA, EA VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE & CFO YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA [ SPRING GARDEN TOWNSHIP ]

Voith event.

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RURAL ECONOMY

Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill's Farmers Breakfast with PA State Rep. Mike Jones, Congressman Lloyd Smucker, and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.

260th Anniversary of the York State Fair visit with Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, Governor Josh Shapiro, and Patrick Ball.

$5.6

MILLION

financed 9 Next Generation Farmer Loans in Hopewell, Peach Bottom, Fawn, and Lower Chanceford Townships.

Pennsylvania Next Generation Farmer Loan program uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a federally qualifying first time farmer’s interest rate to finance capital purchases.

6

$500,000 Federal EPA Brownfield grant secured to complete a countywide assessment and inventory of brownfield sites.

$400,000 Pennsylvania Industrial Development (PIDA) Loan to an agricultural production business in Heidelberg Township.

PENN STATE YORK

Penn State York Future Use Planning Committee.

As Penn State York faces the moment to determine the next best use of the campus and its substantial facilities, the YCEA, on behalf of key stakeholders, Penn State York contributors, philanthropic partners, and our community, launched a process to determine just that: a compelling, economically viable, and meaningful plan for the future.

The process, led by national planning firm Corgan, will: · Document the existing conditions, site constraints, land use options, and legal and legislative restrictions on future use, as well as pathways to seek relief from such restrictions. · Assess the market and engage key stakeholders, elected officials, community members, and potential institutional partners in providing feedback on future use via interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

WHAT'S NEXT? The plan will be completed by May 2026 to align with Penn State University’s internal decision-making process, to lead us to the highest and best use for the campus’ future.

· Develop a realistic proposal for future use(s) of the campus for presentation to PSU leadership.

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EVENTS

Zachary Newby (center) accepting the Ignite Young Professional Award at Showcasing YoCo.

100+ events held,

welcoming over 12,600

attendees.

Myra Gillis (center) honored as a 2025 Changemaker.

“Through my involvement and attendance at YCEA events,

I have witnessed firsthand the meaningful and lasting impact this organization has made across our community.

The relationships built and insights gained along the way have strengthened my leadership and reinforced the power of collaboration in driving positive change."

Margaret Eckles-Ray, MBA, CADC, CRS CEO | RISING QUEENS, LLC | WBCO COUNCIL CHAIR [ CITY OF YORK ]

Dr. Latika D. Davis-Jones (center), Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at May's WBCO Luncheon.

MEMBERSHIP

1 OUT OF EVERY 3

York Countians in the workforce are YCEA Members.

Attendees of Showcasing YoCo, held at Wyndam Garden York.

1,100+ MEMBERS invest annually, with 62 members celebrated through ribbon cuttings.

100+ LEADERS

engaged through our county-wide and Downtown York Ambassador programs.

"Beyond the networking, the YCEA provides a pulse on key initiatives and the developments shaping York,

YCEA Mixer held at Burkentine Builders in Hanover.

from new infrastructure to emerging industry trends.

It's that blend of collaborative relationships and local expertise that makes our membership an essential part of our strategy."

Amy Young VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WAGMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. [ MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP ]

YCEA Mixer held at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown York.

9

WBCO Bloom Grant Recipients.

Marisela's Garden Babysitting Service.

Steph Holmes Artist Studio.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

Panel at June's WBCO Luncheon.

World A Cuts Barber Institute.

10

York Hiring & Resource Fair at WellSpan Park.

ECHO Bloom Grant Recipients.

Amelia Symone Couture Bridal & Evening Wear.

2025 BLOOM Graduates.

IMPACT OVERVIEW CUMULATIVE SINCE LAUNCHED IN 2022

$3,200,778 DISBURSED LOANS:

$2,528,300 to 34 small businesses, creating 188 jobs and retaining 85 jobs.

68%

Women Owned Businesses

65% BIPOC Owned Businesses

3%

Disability Owned Business Enterprise

$672,478 to 296 small businesses, representing over 724 jobs.

Women Owned Businesses

50% BIPOC Owned Businesses

loaned to 16 businesses with an average loan of $86,000 at a 4.2% interest rate

$24,000

granted to 17 businesses with an average grant of $1,400

GRANTS:

77%

$1.1 MILLION

6%

Veteran Owned Businesses

$335,000 secured in funding for BLOOM Loan capital and operations, including first time funders, such as PNC Bank, Harley-Davidson, and the National Association for Latino Community Builders.

BLOOM Capital and Education is available to small businesses across YoCo. 11

52 GRADUATES from BLOOM Classes

2025 BLOOM Graduates in a celebration held at Keystone Kidspace.

742

GRADUATES,

since 2022, expanded skills in financial stability, marketing, hiring & HR, and legal, through classes and bootcamps.

12

Operating a Business 69% Currently to Launch a Business 31% Looking Persons of Color 82% ofareGraduates Women 75% ofareGraduates Graduates have a Household under $50,000 51% ofIncome

THE 2020 ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

showed that YoCo lagged behind state and national averages in business birth rates.

York County set forth to change that.

BY 2025, YORK COUNTY SURPASSED STATE AND NATIONAL BUSINESS BIRTH RATES IN UNDER 5 YEARS

104%

37%

39%

RATE GROWTH

RATE GROWTH

RATE GROWTH

ACTUAL:

ACTUAL:

ACTUAL:

301

328

754

BUSINESSES

BUSINESSES

BUSINESSES

GOAL:

GOAL:

GOAL:

190 New Minority-Owned Businesses in 5 years

270 New Women-Owned Businesses in 5 years

Increase New Business Starts to at least 677 per year

NEW

NEW

NEW

13

PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY

800 JOB SEEKERS attended 5 Hiring & Resource Fairs at WellSpan Park.

They connected with over 60 employers and community resource organizations with the goal of upskilling and advancing their careers.

Attendees of a York Hiring & Resource Fair held at WellSpan Park.

PATHWAYS WORKFORCE GRANTS:

$30,000 awarded to nonprofits to better connect individuals with workforce training.

14

This is made possible through funding provided by the York County Community Foundation.

BUILDING PATHWAYS OUT OF THE HOUSING CRISIS

THE WHOLE HOME REPAIRS PROGRAM

transformed York County residents into job-ready construction professionals, each equipped with 60+ hours of hands-on training, OSHA, First Aid, and a tool kit to launch their careers. The program has a wait list, with the demand for services increasing as the need for attainable housing grows.

This was done in partnership with Workforce NOW, York County Planning Commission, County of York, and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Participants of the Whole Home Repairs Program.

15

"Going through BLOOM made the purchase of The Front Porch Tea Room a reality.

When traditional funding was not available, BLOOM helped me with funding that was affordable and allowed me to hit the ground running.

The tools that BLOOM provides and the ongoing care about your success is amazing."

Daneen Coller OWNER | FRONT PORCH TEA ROOM [ HALLAM ]

“BLOOM has impacted me and my business in so many meaningful ways.

They connected me with the right people and resources to not only help grow my business, but to expand.

They genuinely believe in entrepreneurs and are deeply invested in strengthening our community.”

Michelle Friend CEO & FOUNDER | LUXE + MANE [ CITY OF YORK ]

16

ECHO, in partnership with Community Connections for Children and philanthropic partners, was created to address access and affordability of early childhood education, contributing to workforce absenteeism weakening economic productivity.

$3.5 MILLION

deployed to support early childcare education, since ECHO's launch in 2024.

1,800+

new childcare spots created

76

new teachers through teacher aide training produced

46

260

new early educator jobs created

existing early education centers increased student capacity

24

new early education centers launched

"BLOOM was super helpful for that business startup piece.

We used those funds to help outfit our classrooms with really high-quality materials, which I would not have been able to do without the funding."

Sabrina Walters FOUNDER | LITTLE BUG LEARNING [ SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP ]

17

Gift Horse Brewing Company.

Ribbon Cutting for The Garden of Edy.

Bloom Kitchen & Bar.

ENHANCE YORK COUNTY'S SENSE OF PLACE

Downtown Clean & Green Team removing graffiti.

The Cycle Works.

18

Railroad Borough Park.

Pink Parasols in Cherry Lane, an initiative of Pink Power York.

Go Green in the City event in Downtown York.

Sunrise Soap Co. Creation Station.

Aerial view of Codorus Creek.

Ruins Hall in Glen Rock.

Zion's Church in Downtown York.

PROJECTS:

$375,000 in demolition grant funding awarded to 4 projects in York County through the Land Bank Authority.

The Land Bank Authority exists to eliminate blight and return vacant property to productive use across all of York County.

$1.6

MILLION

secured for the renovation of the historic Zion Church, adjacent to The Yorktowne Hotel.

Significant progress was made advancing the Codorus Greenway, Glen Rock Ruins Hall, Zion Church, and YoCo Fiber to development phases.

19

9 NEW

Trail-Friendly Businesses Entrée from Table 1837 - Glen Rock Mill Inn in Glen Rock.

OVER 63

Trail-Friendly Businesses in total across York County

$41.2 Owners of Main St. Market and Traveller Coffee Company in Glen Rock.

MILLION

in Total Annual Economic Impact from the Heritage Rail Trail.

37.7%

increase in patronage to Trail-Friendly Businesses since Trail Towns was founded in June 2020.

20

View of the Veterans Memorial Bridge from Wrightsville.

“With the support of York County Trail Towns,

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS

$150,000

secured to market the Trail Town communities thanks to a grant from Explore York.

we have flourished through networking and specialized events.

Being part of this organization has made us feel right at home as we grow our business in York.”

Irina Lawrence Mathias OWNER | FLYING FIBERS [ LOWER WINDSOR TOWNSHIP ]

505%

increase in social media views through influencer and content creation, and the development of local trail guides.

Completion of Seven Valleys Public Creek Access Feasibility Study to amplify the waterway as a public recreational amenity – a key goal of the borough’s Trail Town’s action plan.

13 new wayfinding kiosks installed along the Heritage Rail Trail, and new signage in Wrightsville (Riverfront Park) and Hanover (Moul Field, Hanover Trolley Trail Trailhead).

Phase 2 of York County Signage & Wayfinding Project is underway, with a focus on enhanced mile markers and off-trail directional signage.

21

PROMOTIONS

$30,000 in Welcoming Communities Grants and First Friday Grants to expand cultural events and curate a welcoming Downtown York.

883,000 VISITORS WELCOMED to Downtown York, an 18% increase over the last year.

National Accreditation from Main Street America and Pennsylvania Downtown Center received for the first time since 2013.

Reader's Digest recognized Downtown York as one of America's Most Beautiful Main Streets 22

A couple strolling along Market Street in Downtown York.

300 YEARS

of history represented in a new mural at the York County History Center, with support from Women's Giving Circle.

$500,000

$500,000+

PA DCNR Grant secured to conduct a Downtown Tree Canopy assessment and replanting.

secured to purchase and install two "Portland Loo" public restroom units.

Check Presentation from the Women's Giving Circle for creation of a new mural at the York County History Center.

PLACEMAKING & BEAUTIFICATION In the first 2 years of the Downtown Clean & Green Team:

18,000+ 9,471+ 80+ pounds of litter removed

hours spent removing graffiti, weeds, and litter

bags of trash collected weekly

Without the work of our Downtown Clean & Green Team this debris would remain on our streets and in our waterways.

Member of the Downtown Clean & Green Team.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

25

new or expanded businesses in Downtown York.

$1.5 MILLION+ received in Capital Project Grants from public and private sources.

Launched: Merchant Meet Up, featuring 120 merchants from all downtown districts Downtown Investment Guide and Imagine the Possibilities business attraction campaign to recruit new businesses to Downtown York

"I chose to open my business in Downtown York because of its soul.

York welcomed me during a season of change, and the downtown community immediately felt like home.

Downtown York represents growth, revival, and community, and I’m honored to contribute to that energy.”

Nasim Ali OWNER | NASIM & CO. [ CITY OF YORK ]

24

Woof Bar leasing the 43-45 W Market St. property, an early success of the Imagine the Possibilities campaign.

PUBLIC SAFETY

TOWNIE AWARD

from the PA Downtown Center for Best Community Partnership awarded to the Downtown Resource Center, alongside the York City Police Department and York County Community Foundation.

754 "For those of us who live, work, and invest here, the impact of Downtown Inc's leadership is visible on every block -

street light poles audited to establish a replacement schedule

25+

shifts of overtime funded for additional Downtown Officer support

300

attendees at National Night Out at the Downtown Resource Center

from revitalized storefronts and thriving local businesses to the growing number of people who now call downtown home."

Ryan McKinley PRESIDENT | STATEWIDE PARTNERS [ HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP ]

National Night Out event held at the Downtown Resource Center in Downtown York.

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Connect with the YCEA and see how

BLOOM Grant Recipients at YCEA Mixer with Lavender Acres Winery held at Flinchbaugh’s Orchard.

MEMBERSHIP

Sip & Savor tasting event in Downtown York.

EVENTS

@YorkCountyTrailTowns

Economic Insights presentation on Non-profit Resiliency and Capital Campaigns.

WBCO Luncheon with speaker Angela Marick.

Annual Golf Outing at Royal Manchester Golf Links.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING

Legislative Luncheon with elected officials.

we can make things happen together!

View the YCEA Team and Contact Info

@YCEAPA

ECHO press event announcing over $565,000 in early childhood education grants.

@DowntownYorkPA

United Way team with Changemaker TaTyana Abreu.

Jeff Vermeulen (YCEA Board Chair 2022-2023), Sara Parrish (YCEA Board Chair 2026-2027) and Oliver Hoar (YCEA Board Chair 2024-2025)

THANK YOU TO OUR YCEA BOARD MEMBERS! 2025 Executive Committee:

2025-2026 Members of the Board: (*concluded their term in 2025)

Sara Parrish - CampusDoor, Chair

Dr. Thomas Burns – York College of Pennsylvania

Laura Buczkowski – WellSpan Health Vice-Chair & Treasurer Julie Wheeler – President Commissioner, County of York | Secretary

Dr. Todd Davies – West York School District Lauren Days – Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro & Sara Ellen Event Venue

Barry Schoch – KCI Technologies, Inc. Economic Initiatives Chair

Michael Gaskins – UPMC Memorial & UPMC Hanover

Oliver Hoar – Hoar Investments Immediate Past Chair

*Taylor Groff - GroffJulius

Ronald L. Hershner, Esq. – Saxton & Stump | General Counsel

Rev. Dr. Mark Kearse – Cornerstone Baptist Church Katie Kinsley – Kinsley Family Office

*Bev Mackereth – Mackereth Consulting Christina McCullough – Stewart & Tate Construction Sam Miller – Wolfgang Confectioners Bruce Newell – Mantec Aneury Perez – Fulton Bank Christopher Rockey – PNC Bank Ashana Taylor – Fire Life Yoga & Realtor *Jeff Vermeulen – York College of Pennsylvania Ronesha Willis – TE Connectivity

GOLDSBORO · RED LION · NORTH YORK · THOMASVILLE · DOVER · NEW FREEDOM WARRINGTON · YORK HAVEN · WE YOCO · BROGUE · HELLAM · LOWER WINDSOR MOUNT WOLF · SPRINGETTSBURY · DALLASTOWN · FAWN GROVE · NEWBERRY WELLSVILLE · LEWISBERRY · DILLSBURG · STEWARTSTOWN · HANOVER · ETTERS WINTERSTOWN · FAIRVIEW · CROSS ROADS · LOWER CHANCEFORD · MONAGHAN AIRVILLE · FRANKLINTOWN · PORTERS SIDELING · WASHINGTON · GLEN ROCK · YOE EAST PROSPECT · SPRINGFIELD · LOGANVILLE · CODORUS · SEVEN VALLEYS · PENN WE YOCO · SHREWSBURY · PEACH BOTTOM · WINDSOR · YORK NEW SALEM · DELTA YORK · MANCHESTER · CONEWAGO · EMIGSVILLE · SPRING GARDEN · PARADISE MANHEIM · JACKSON · SPRING GROVE · HOPEWELL · WEST YORK · RAILROAD · ETTERS CONEWAGO · JEFFERSON · NEW PARK · JACOBUS · WRIGHTSVILLE · CRALEY · FELTON CARROLL · GLENVILLE · GOLDSBORO · RED LION · NORTH YORK · DOVER THOMASVILLE · NEW FREEDOM · WARRINGTON · YORK HAVEN · CHANCEFORD BROGUE · HELLAM · LOWER WINDSOR · MOUNT WOLF · WE YOCO · DALLASTOWN FAWN GROVE · NEWBERRY · WELLSVILLE · LEWISBERRY · DILLSBURG · STEWARTSTOWN

YCEAPA.ORG HANOVER · ETTERS · WINTERSTOWN · FAIRVIEW · CROSS ROADS · LOWER CHANCEFORD MONAGHAN · WE YOCO · FRANKLINTOWN · PORTERS SIDELING · WASHINGTON GLEN ROCK · YOE · EAST PROSPECT · SPRINGFIELD · LOGANVILLE · CODORUS SEVEN VALLEYS · PENN · HEIDELBERG · SHREWSBURY · PEACH BOTTOM · WINDSOR YORK NEW SALEM · DELTA · YORK · MANCHESTER · CONEWAGO · EMIGSVILLE SPRING GARDEN · PARADISE · MANHEIM · JACKSON · SPRING GROVE · WE YOCO WEST YORK · RAILROAD · ETTERS · CONEWAGO · JEFFERSON · NEW PARK · JACOBUS WRIGHTSVILLE · CRALEY · FELTON · CARROLL · GLENVILLE · GOLDSBORO RED LION · NORTH YORK · THOMASVILLE · DOVER · NEW FREEDOM · WARRINGTON YORK HAVEN · CHANCEFORD · WE YOCO · HELLAM · LOWER WINDSOR · MOUNT WOLF SPRINGETTSBURY · DALLASTOWN · FAWN GROVE · NEWBERRY · WELLSVILLE LEWISBERRY · DILLSBURG · STEWARTSTOWN · HANOVER · ETTERS · WINTERSTOWN FAIRVIEW · CROSS ROADS · LOWER CHANCEFORD · MONAGHAN · AIRVILLE FRANKLINTOWN · PORTERS SIDELING · WASHINGTON · WE YOCO · EAST PROSPECT SPRINGFIELD · LOGANVILLE · CODORUS · SEVEN VALLEYS · PENN · HEIDELBERG · YOE