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.

08/05/2026

🎉 CAEDC, through the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, has awarded $1,121,472 in tourism grants during the program's Q2 application window, bringing 2026 year-to-date awards to nearly $1.9 million.

Q2 Tourism Product Development Grants include $500,000 to Keystone Trails Association to update the historic Scott Farm farmhouse into a visitor center along the Appalachian Trail, $239,945 to Ashcombe Mansion Property for its new Tavern 1891 gastropub, $187,875 to Carlisle Golf Group for renovations to Carlisle Country Club's event spaces, and $32,433 to the Army Heritage Center Foundation for an electric tram along the Army Heritage Trail.

Additional grants support multi-day events like the World Downhill Skateboarding Championships, Carlisle Comic Con, the USS Long Beach reunion, and POWER's Women's Sports Program, along with community projects including the Cumberland Drive-In Theatre, Cumberland Youth Cycling Development, Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, and Village Artisans Gallery.

The next Tourism Grant application window is open now through September 4, 2026. Interested applicants can contact Ashley Kurtz at [email protected].

Learn more:

Cumberland Valley, Pa. (August 5, 2026) – The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), through the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, is excited to announce it is awarding $1,121,472 in tourism grants...

07/30/2026

🚂 Last month, CAEDC had the privilege of joining the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, Inc to celebrate a milestone 125 years in the making: the anniversary of Steam Locomotive No. 643.

Built in Altoona in 1901, No. 643 ran the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad and later spent four decades at work in Harrisburg's steel mills. When the mill closed and the locomotive was found tucked away and forgotten, it was WGHSEA that stepped in, restored her, and has kept her active for more than 60 years since. Of an estimated 25,000 locomotives once operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad, No. 643 is the only one still running today, and she calls Cumberland County home.

The celebration also marked America's 250th birthday, making it a fitting moment to recognize this piece of industrial history and the volunteers who refused to let it fade away.

We were proud to present WGHSEA with a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of CAEDC, joined by PA State Senator Dawn Keefer, Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger, and a representative from Senator Greg Rothman's office.

Congratulations, WGHSEA, on this incredible milestone!

07/28/2026

CAEDC is throwing a speakeasy-style celebration for the launch of the 2026/27 Cumberland Valley B**r Trail, and you're on the list!

📍 Hungry Run Distillery
📅 September 17th
🕒 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Sign up for the trail at the event and enjoy a drink on us. Word on the street is that certain officials aren't thrilled about this gathering, so keep it quiet. Loose lips sink ships, and we'd hate for the fun to get shut down before it starts.

Come toast to another year of craft beverages, local business, and the kind of community spirit that's worth protecting. Just don't tell anyone we told you.

RSVP and discover the password to enter here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/202627-cumberland-valley-beer-trail-launch-party-tickets-1994882533358?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true