SPC is designated by the U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as the Local Development District and by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the Economic Development District for Southwestern Pennsylvania. SPC members play a lead role in identifying priority needs of local communities by working with their citizens to foster economic development, to target and meet the most pressing needs, and to build community cohesion and leadership.

As the region’s Local Development District, SPC members work together through the Area Development Program to advance a wide range of projects, including education and workforce training programs; Appalachian Highway System Program projects and industrial access improvements; water and sewer system construction; leadership development programs; and, development of healthcare resources to meet the Area Development goals.

In addition to writing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for southwestern Pennsylvania, our Planning and Development department offers a wide range of programs and services designed to help small and medium-sized businesses and local governments.

Broadband Outreach Aggregation: Develops outreach programs concerning the benefits, use and procurement of broadband services.  [ more ]
E-Commonwealth: Educates communities in the importance of broadband access in economic vitality. [ more ]
Energy Savings Program: Seeks to enable local municipalities to more efficiently allocate their utility budget resources through an initial utility bill analysis. [ more ]
Local Technology Assistance Program: Shares transportation knowledge, improves road maintenance and safety skills, and puts research and new technology into practice at the local level. [ more ]
Municipal Technology Assistance Program): Provides computers and technology assistance to local governments.
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Business Retention & Expansion: Outreach specialists visit local companies to help them solve problems and produce growth. [ more ]
Business Finance: If you are a small business or a start-up, SPC can help you find a low-interest Federal or State loan. [ more ]
Business Renewal & Turnaround Assistance Program: Offers companies affordable access to experts who can help them with a variety of complex issues. [ more ]
Export Development: SPC offers a trained staff to diagnose and help solve problems relating to export for businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania. [ more ]
Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZs): Are you looking to start a business in an area with a high "up side"?
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