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.
Our work is driven by the York County Economic Action Plan to:
$612 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 .
$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 .
"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
$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.
$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.
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.
· Develop a realistic proposal for future use(s) of the campus for presentation to PSU leadership.
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.
events held, welcoming over 12,600 attendees .
“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
York Countians in the workforce are YCEA Members.
1,100+
invest annually, with 62 members celebrated through ribbon cuttings.
100+
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, 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
CUMULATIVE SINCE LAUNCHED IN 2022
$3,200,778 DISBURSED
LOANS:
$2,528,300 to 34 small businesses , creating 188 jobs and retaining 85 jobs.
GRANTS:
$672,478 to 296 small businesses , representing over 724 jobs.
$1.1 MILLION 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
$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.
742 GRADUATES, since 2022, expanded skills in financial stability, marketing, hiring & HR, and legal, through classes and bootcamps.
Currently Operating a Business Looking to Launch a Business of Graduates are Persons of Color of Graduates are Women of Graduates have a Household
showed that YoCo lagged behind state and national averages
York County set forth to change that.
BY 2025, YORK COUNTY SURPASSED STATE AND NATIONAL BUSINESS
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.
PATHWAYS WORKFORCE GRANTS:
$30,000 awarded to nonprofits to better connect individuals with workforce training. This is made possible through funding provided by the York County Community Foundation.
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.
“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 ]
"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."
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
260 new early educator jobs created
76 new teachers through teacher aide training produced
46 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
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.
9 NEW Trail-Friendly Businesses
Trail-Friendly Businesses in total across York County OVER 63
$41.2 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.
secured to market the Trail Town communities thanks to a grant from Explore York.
$150,000 505%
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.
“With the support of York County Trail Towns, Being part of this organization has made us feel right at home as we grow our business in York. ” we have flourished through networking and specialized events.
$30,000 in Welcoming Communities Grants and First Friday Grants to expand cultural events and curate a welcoming Downtown York.
VISITORS WELCOMED
883,000 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
300 YEARS
of history represented in a new mural at the York County History Center, with support from Women's Giving Circle.
$500,000
PA DCNR Grant secured to conduct a Downtown Tree Canopy assessment and replanting.
$500,000+ secured to purchase and install two "Portland Loo" public restroom units .
PLACEMAKING & BEAUTIFICATION
In the first 2 years of the Downtown Clean & Green Team:
18,000+ pounds of litter removed
9,471+ hours spent removing graffiti, weeds, and litter
80+ 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.
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.”
Ali
"For those of us who live, work, and invest here, the impact of Downtown Inc's leadership is visible on every blockfrom revitalized storefronts and thriving local businesses to the growing number of people who now call downtown home."
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 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
Ryan
McKinley
PRESIDENT | STATEWIDE PARTNERS
@YorkCountyTrailTowns
