Location Services: CCEDC has worked with Cheyney University and Mosaic Development for three years on a public-private partnership that helps to identify opportunities for companies to locate to CheyneyвЂ™s campus and provide students with on-campus career exploration, training and internship opportunities.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship: CCEDCвЂ™s initiatives and programs supported 105 local startups, held 15 events including EntrepreneursвЂ™ Roundtables and Open Pitch Coaching sessions and invested $867,938 in KIZ funding.

Workforce Development: During the 20th anniversary year of Girls Exploring TomorrowвЂ™s Technology (GETT), the one-day program was re-engineered during the pandemic to an eight-month virtual experience with hands-on activities for a global audience.

Seedcopa was able to support even more borrowers this year with an increase of 53% over last yearвЂ™s loan volume.

Financing Solutions: Seedcopa, CCEDCвЂ™s regional financing affiliate, was named #1 SBA 504 Lender in Eastern Pennsylvania by the U.S.

In addition, to these milestones, CCEDC highlighted the following developments in its four core service areas in fiscal year 2020-21: All the while, CCEDC has strived to serve and to make a difference on these issues and many others, while advancing the economic health and prosperity of Chester County and the region.вЂќ вЂњAs the global pandemic stretched into a second year with widespread health and economic impacts, there was a renewed focus and urgency in our nationвЂ™s ongoing dialogues on race, justice and equality. вЂњThis year and moving forward is devoted to building a strong, inclusive and prosperous Chester County,вЂќ said CCEDC President and CEO Gary W. With this foundation of research, examination and heartfelt discussion, CCEDC is set to begin execution of the organizationвЂ™s DE&I plan in 2021-2022.

Created Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force composed of 17 thought leaders from across the regionД¬CEDCвЂ™s newly formed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force began an exploratory process that included surveys and interviews with CCEDC staff, board and minority- and women-owned businesses.

2,411 career exploration activities for young people.

4,573 participants in workforce development programs via CCEDCвЂ™s industry partnerships and STEM initiatives, 904 companies engaged in workforce programs.

$5,845,000 in COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) grants.

$9,959,500 in Chester County Main Street grants.

$86,634,534 in COVID-19 assistance to area businesses.

Record year in loan volume, with 61 SBA 504 loans totaling more than $56 million.

$78,891,964 in total funding for 76 economic development projects, 29 in Chester County, 47 more throughout the Commonwealth.Highlights of CCEDCвЂ™s milestones for the fiscal year 2020-2021 include: More than 150 local business and community leaders attended, including partners, investors and volunteers spanning every major county industry.

This was just one of the Chester County Economic Development CouncilвЂ™s milestones for the fiscal year, showcased at the 11th Annual StakeholdersвЂ™ Breakfast held at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern on Friday, Nov. EXTON - Twenty-nine new economic development projects were funded in Chester County for the fiscal year 2020-21, in which loan volume hit a record high totaling more than $56 million.

R i s e program philadelphia