YCEA Year in Review | 2023

As the best of a Chamber of Commerce, best of an Economic Development Agency, and best of a Main Street organization, the York County Economic Alliance drives our County’s economic growth by leveraging the collaboration, resources, and expertise needed to create sustainable prosperity.

We are collaborative, knowledgeable, driven, inclusive, and futuristic.

We are YoCo.

Top: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and YoCo Connect Live event with Doceo, in partnership with Buy Local Coalition; Bottom: The 2023 Changemakers

AFFILIATES Economic Development Corporation General Authority Industrial Development Authority BLOOM Business Empowerment Center Redevelopment Authority York Business Improvement District Authority York County Land Bank Authority Chamber of Commerce Downtown Inc YORK COUNTY’S SENSE OF PLACE ENHANCE

FOR ALL PEOPLE CREATE

ENGINES OF PROSPERITY FUEL YoCo Connect Live with Community Progress Council Our work is driven by the York County Economic Action Plan to:

OPPORTUNITIES

THE

CREATE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

BLOOM BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER • WHYYORKPA.COM

• FEDERAL RESERVE PARTNERSHIP • INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDCARE EDUCATION

2023 Recipients of the BLOOM WBCO Grants

The BLOOM Business Empowerment Center offers a suite of small business services, and has raised $6.7 million to support small business education, capital needs, and opportunities.

4

CAPITAL

to 69 businesses $100,000 GRANTS

to 5 businesses $670,000 LOANS

$770,000 disbursed in 2023

BLOOM recipients currently employ 211 full time employees, and will create 125 new jobs in 2024.

$486,000

in grants to date, to 235 businesses

72% Women owned businesses

49% BIPOC owned businesses

Cresha Drayden Owner, Our Sons and Daughters “

THE BLOOM BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER HAS BEEN AN integral ally in providing financial opportunities and guidance.

...the vision is becoming clearer and confidence is gaining towards our dreams.”

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Cresha and Philip Drayden of Our Sons and Daughters LLC

CLASSES

80 entrepreneurs graduated in 2023 from the free BLOOM Business

101, 201 and Spanish speaking 101 Classes

· 44% in business; 56% looking to launch

· 84% BIPOC; 77% Female

· 67% Household income less than $50,000

590 participants to date: Business Series Workshops

BLOOM Business 101 and 201 Classes

Boot Camps

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2023 Graduates of the BLOOM Classes

7 Hey employers! WhyYorkPA.com is a resource for talent attraction and retention. 7 Scan the QR Code to learn more.

FEDERAL RESERVE PARTNERSHIP

PREDICTABILITY IS JUST GONE. IT’S VERY HARD TO OPERATE A BUSINESS IN A WORLD WHERE THERE’S NO PREDICTABILITY. And

so that’s been a bit of a challenge.”

Julie Flinchbaugh Keene

Co-owner, Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm

Source: Bloomberg, 10.2.2023

On October 2, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Philadelphia District President Patrick Harker visited York County to meet with local partners and learn about economic conditions and trends, education and workforce development, and small business growth and access to capital. The relationship with the Federal Reserve has increased through the Reinventing Our Communities Fellowship Program.

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“

Top: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell (2nd from L) and Philadelphia District President Patrick Harker (4th from L) meeting with business owners at Gather256; Bottom: Roundtable Participants

“

AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR ABSENTEEISM IN THE WORKPLACE. ECHO IS THE FIRST STEP IN expanding access to quality, affordable childcare.”

Kim Bracey CEO, YWCA York

Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO) was developed in response to the crisis in early childhood education with over $3M committed annually to address the issues that limit opportunities for families, educators, and businesses. This program is joined by partners WellSpan Health, J. William Warehime Foundation, Powder Mill Foundation, United Way of York County, The Kinsley Foundation, and York County Community Foundation. ECHO will be led by Community Connections for Children and the YCEA.

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Governor Josh Shapiro visits YWCA York to announce the expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to match 100% of the federal credit to help over 210,000 PA families offset the burden of rising childcare costs.

ENHANCE

YORK COUNTY’S SENSE OF PLACE

THE YORKTOWNE HOTEL • BALLPARK COMMONS • CODORUS GREENWAY • YORK COUNTY TRAIL TOWNS

• COUNTYWIDE HOUSING ANALYSIS • STRATEGIC REDEVELOPMENT • DOWNTOWN INC

The historic Yorktowne Hotel was polished up and re-introduced to our community.

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The Yorktowne Hotel is the market leader in occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), shown through weekly/monthly Smith Travel Research (STR) reports. In 2023, the hotel saw over 21 sellout weekends, 24,401 total rooms rented, and hosted 144 events.

$94 million in immediate and direct economic impact

Now employing 84 employees and re-introducing the Yorktowne to a new generation of York Countians and guests.

UP NEXT

Phase two of the Yorktowne Campus redevelopment is Zion Church, sitting adjacent on Duke Street. The project has been awarded a grant through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to conduct engineering assessments, masonry & structural assessments, environmental, historic and project planning.

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BALLPARK COMMONS

Developing a new Northern entryway into the City of York, and completing the original stadium district vision from 2005. Demolition has occurred and a project developer will be named in early 2024.

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Top: Ballpark Commons possible redevelopment rendering; Bottom: Demolition at 319-335 N George St

A first step in a 100 year journey, demolition began on the Bascule Gate Dam on the Codorus Creek to reduce flooding, improve water quality, promote public safety, and prepare for construction of the Codorus Greenway.

UP NEXT

Project permits will be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers in March 2024 to begin construction on 1.4 mile Codorus Greenway. $26.1M committed to fully-fund Phase One which will commence in 2025.

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Bascule Gate Dam demolition along the Codorus River

In partnership with the Cultural Alliance of York County, $100,000 was successfully secured through the PA Council on the Arts to install public art throughout our Trail Towns.

“

THE YORK COUNTY TRAIL TOWNS PROGRAM HELPED TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF OUR GONDOLA CAR THAT WE USE FOR OUR BIKE-ABOARD EXCURSIONS.

THE DESTINATION MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE HELPED to attract more visitors to the community.

We’re excited to see the program continue to grow and expand for years to come.”

Ashley Zimmerman Executive Director, Northern Central Railway

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Trail Towns public art announcement at Ruins Hall in Glen Rock

3 years of success

16 new businesses started across the Trail Towns

Fresh Food Markets / Micro Grocers

Book Stores ∙ Event Venues

Restaurants ∙ Retail Stores

Breweries ∙ Coffee Shops

Over 50 businesses have been designated as Trail-Friendly, to drive visitors of the Heritage Rail Trail into the adjacent trail communities to spend dollars and boost economic impact.

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Left: Glen Rock Mill Inn, Glen Rock; Right, Top: Trail-Friendly Business designation of The Wild Batch Bistro, Wrightsville; Right, Bottom: AleCraft Brewery, Railroad

COUNTYWIDE HOUSING ANALYSIS

KEY ACTION ITEM OF EAP

Conduct a Needs and Conditions Assessment on Housing, along with raising profile of workforce housing and improve pathways to ownership.

Convened over 30 housing partners

(Developers, non-profits, employers, government, real estate, etc.)

Key findings:

· Nearly 50% of all renters, and more than 25% of all households are cost burdened by housing.

· Median household income has increased by 24% since 2011, but median homes have increased by 131% in that time.

· 30% of residents aged 20-34 are neither homeowners or renters, delaying first time home ownership.

· Most new residents come from surrounding PA counties (Lancaster, etc.) – not Maryland.

· Overall market demand exists for 16,000 new housing units in YoCo.

UP NEXT

Implement key priority actions that support partner goals, from emergency shelter to workforce development to employer-supported housing.

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STRATEGIC REDEVELOPMENT

Governor Josh Shapiro, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, and Ben Kirshner, Chief Transformation Officer selected YoCo’s PennAir to launch the creation of the Commonwealth’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in nearly two decades. PennAir, led by CEO Seth Bray, supports manufacturing and construction industries with pneumatics, hydraulics, and automation.

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Over $700,000 raised in philanthropic efforts for Downtown York in 2023.

· $340K - Downtown York Destination Marketing & Data Tracking

· $278K - Placemaking - Clean & Green

· $37K - Public Safety

· $50K - Small Business Grants to 25 downtown businesses

An enhanced clean up crew was launched to mitigate litter, weeds, graffiti, and ensure quality curb appeal to improve everyone’s experience in the Downtown. They remove a monthly average of 800 lbs. of trash, as well as leaf and graffiti removal. This initiative was accomplished by fundraising over $125,000 in corporate and philanthropic support thanks to the Powder Mill Foundation and the York County Solid Waste Authority.

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Left: Royal Square District mural; Right: Clean Up Crew member in Downtown York

NEW PLANTERS IN THE WeCo DISTRICT

As well as the creation of the WeCo Action Plan

32 New or Expanded businesses in Downtown York

UPDATED WAYFINDING SIGNAGE Among other Placemaking improvements

SOLD OUT EVENTS

October’s Sweetest Pint

Downtown First Awards

5 creative crosswalks, designed by local artists, were installed to increase pedestrian safety, beautify public spaces, and enhance the Rail Trail experience throughout the Downtown.

The project was completed with partners:

York County Trail Towns, City of York Highway Bureau, City of York Bureau of Health, and Annalisa Gojmerac.

19 Market Street creative crosswalk installation

8 million impressions via Google ads

3 million impressions via Facebook and Instagram ads

Influencers utilized in family friendly, couples, and trail users for an earned media value over $150,000

DOWNTOWN INC HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING MERCHANTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THEIR DEDICATION TO PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, ENHANCING THE AESTHETICS OF OUR STREETS, AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH OF YORK CITY. We are thankful for their partnership and the positive influence!” Elizabeth Bower Owner, Refillism “ $265,000 invested in targeted marketing to

in

PA, Philadelphia, and

Maryland

20 Destination Downtown York through funding via Explore York

travelers

Central

Northern

.

. WOW! I HAD

to

Comment by DC-based resident on Influencer Post Top: Ads as seen in Philadelphia Magazine At the intersection of classic Americana and hip happenings, Downtown York embodies the vibe of “Historically Edgy.” The city’s central business district is home to unique locations where visitors can explore local flavors, interact with artists and creators, and experience history – all within a few blocks’ radius. Extend your time with a stay at the Yorktowne Hotel, a newly-imagined Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel complete with rooftop bar. Start planning your next getaway at DowntownYorkPA.com “

NO IDEA YORK WAS SO CLOSE AND HAD SO MANY AMAZING THINGS TO DO! We’ll be adding York to our places

explore!”

THE ENGINES OF PROSPERITY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING • RURAL ECONOMY

• MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS

27 active RACP projects spanning application to disbursement, with an estimated total of $160M in economic investment

FUEL

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Top: York County History Center construction; Bottom, Left: YWCA Team; Bottom, Right: Keystone Kidspace

NOT ONLY DID THE YCEA PROACTIVELY REACH OUT TO EDUCATE US ABOUT A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE STATE’S RACP GRANT PROGRAM, THEY ALSO WALKED US THROUGH THE APPLICATION AND HELPED US WITH GRANT MANAGEMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT.

Over $32 million in PA RACP Grants were awarded to York County projects at the end of 2022 leveraging total project investment of over $75 million. “

The support and staff were amazing, and most importantly our project was successfully funded and is impacting our neighbors through our beautiful new facility.”

Eric Saunders Executive Director, New Hope Ministries

$5.6 million in financing small business start up or growth. This includes traditional lending, such as SBA, one Next Generation Farmer loan was closed, and three BLOOM loans were closed.

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Crispus Attucks African American History Museum rendering

RURAL ECONOMY

A key focus area of the Economic Action Plan is supporting the rural economy in York County, specifically our rural municipalities, agriculture, and businesses at large in these regions of our community.

Together with regional partners Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Lancaster Chamber, and the U.S. Chamber, we provided an advocacy update in D.C. to Congressman Lloyd Smucker and House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson.

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Rural Economy Roundtable event with Congressman Lloyd Smucker (11th)

“

YCEA HAS GIVEN D.E. GEMMILL INC. many opportunities to network and showcase our products. There

is a lot of value in being a member.”

MEMBERSHIP

1,099 members invested annually Celebrated 48 Ribbon Cuttings

Colleen Gemmill Vice President, D.E. Gemmill Inc.

24 Top: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Level Up Beauty Academy; Bottom: Economics Club event

& EVENTS

85 events were hosted throughout YoCo connecting over 6,000 individuals in attendance. The 3rd Annual Changemaker Celebration, held at Investment Real Estate (IRE), honoring individuals making a difference in our community received record breaking attendance.

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Top: Changemaker Celebration event; Bottom: Roth Preap (center) accepting the Ignite Young Professional Award at Showcasing YoCo

Connect with the YCEA and see how we can make things happen together.