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About DCED

Department of Community & Economic Development

The goal of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is to foster opportunities for businesses and communities to succeed and thrive in a global economy, thereby enabling Pennsylvanians to achieve a superior quality of life. Led by Acting Secretary John Blake, the Department ensures growth and development in our businesses and communities across Pennsylvania.

Business Assistance

Pennsylvania wants business to prosper. Because of that, DCED and the Commonwealth offer business assistance to help organizations fund their projects or start a business, find a location, expand their business, or stay in Pennsylvania. One significant sign of Pennsylvania’s commitment to growth is the Economic Stimulus Package signed into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell in 2004. Hailed as the most comprehensive and flexible package in the country, the $2.8 billion program has introduced a vast number of projects aimed at expanding the Commonwealth’s economy.

Overall, Pennsylvania has also taken a very sophisticated approach to economic development. It all begins with The Governor’s Action Team (GAT), a group of professionals chosen to help businesses with every aspect of expansion or relocation projects. GAT works with individual companies to provide "one-stop shopping" for any relocation or expansion needs. The team members provide liaison with local governments, subcontractors, and utility companies. They identify available grants, loans, and other financial incentives. And they help find the best place to locate the business.

Community Development

Pennsylvania is committed to developing and enhancing its communities - from downtown revitalization, to helping the individual citizens of low economic means to weatherize their houses against the chill of winter. Pennsylvania's focus on physical and economic infrastructure improvements produce significant change for the betterment of a community. Pennsylvania has a variety of assistance programs that enhance a community’s quality of life through improved housing, water and sewer infrastructure, public facilities and economic assets.

Technology Investment

Pennsylvania is a leader in technology-based economic development, with a comprehensive Infrastructure in place to assist companies at every stage of the business life cycle. Thousands of technology companies, from large corporations like Johnson & Johnson and Harley Davidson, to emerging companies like Renal Solutions and NanoHorizons have chosen to make the Commonwealth their home. Through innovative initiatives and an unparalleled economic stimulus package, Pennsylvania is providing the support technology companies need to transition through every stage of the business life cycle.

International Business

As the 18th largest economy in the world, Pennsylvania is no stranger to the international market. In an increasingly global economy, international opportunities abound. And with the largest international network of offices and representatives and more cross border projects than any other US state, the Commonwealth is uniquely poised to succeed. Pennsylvania is also the nation’s fastest growing exporter, and is home to nearly 6,000 foreign-owned businesses, employing nearly 250,000 people.

Principles for Growth, Investment & Resource Conservation

The Governor’s Economic Development Cabinet adopted a set of principles and criteria that will be used by state agencies to guide investment and support local growth and economic development across the commonwealth. The principles and criteria realize Governor Edward G. Rendell’s vision that the state needs to offer vibrant, clean and beautiful communities if families and businesses are going to call Pennsylvania home. The principles and criteria were developed over two years by the Interagency Land Use Team, a working group of the Economic Development Cabinet. Agencies will implement the principles and criteria by applying them to significant programs over the next six months and eventually expand their application to all relevant programs.

The 10 principles are:

Redevelop first -- Support revitalization of Pennsylvania’s many cities and towns and give funding preference to reuse and redevelopment of “brownfield” and previously developed sites in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Provide efficient infrastructure -- Fix it first: use and improve existing infrastructure. Make highway and public transportation investments that use context sensitive design to improve existing developed areas and attract residents and visitors to these places. Require private and public expansions of service to be consistent with approved comprehensive plans and consistent implementing ordinances.

Concentrate development -- Support infill and “greenfield” development that is compact, conserves land, and is integrated with existing or planned transportation, water and sewer services, and schools. Foster creation of well-designed developments and neighborhoods that offer healthy life style opportunities for Pennsylvania residents.

Increase job opportunities -- Retain and attract a diverse, educated workforce through the quality of economic opportunity and quality of life offered in Pennsylvania’s varied communities. Integrate educational and job training opportunities for workers of all ages with the workforce needs of businesses. Invest in businesses that offer good paying, high quality jobs, and that are located near existing or planned water & sewer infrastructure, housing, existing workforce, and transportation access (highway or transit).

Foster sustainable businesses -- Strengthen natural resource based businesses that use sustainable practices in energy production and use, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, recreation and tourism. Increase our supply of renewable energy. Reduce consumption of water, energy and materials to reduce foreign energy dependence and address climate change.

Restore and enhance the environment -- Maintain and expand land, air and water protection and conservation programs. Conserve and restore environmentally sensitive lands and natural areas for ecological health, biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

Enhance recreational and heritage resources -- Maintain and improve recreational and heritage assets and infrastructure throughout the commonwealth, including parks and forests, greenways and trails, heritage parks, historic sites and resources, fishing and boating areas and game lands offering recreational and cultural opportunities to Pennsylvanians and visitors.

Expand housing opportunities -- Support the construction and rehabilitation of housing of all types to meet the needs of people of all incomes and abilities. Support local projects that are based on a comprehensive vision or plan, have significant potential impact (e.g., increased tax base, private investment), and demonstrate local capacity, technical ability and leadership to implement the project.

Plan regionally, implement locally -- Support multi-municipal, county and local government planning and implementation that has broad public input and support and is consistent with these principles. Provide education, training, technical assistance, and funding for such planning and for transportation, infrastructure, economic development, housing, mixed use and conservation projects that implement such plans.

Be fair -- Support equitable sharing of the benefits and burdens of development. Provide technical and strategic support for inclusive community planning to ensure social, economic, and environmental goals are met.