What Chester County Economic Development Council does

Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is a private, Pennsylvania-incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1963 and headquartered at the Eagleview Corporate Center in Exton, PA, with a secondary Business Resource Center in Coatesville. The organization operates four integrated service lines — Financing Solutions (SBA 504/7a and USDA loans via its affiliate Seedcopa, the PA Catalyst Loan Fund, tax-exempt financing, and other public/private loan programs), Business Expansion Services (retention, site identification, and community revitalization), Workforce Development (Industry Partnerships across manufacturing, agriculture, energy, healthcare, and IT; Project RECONNECT; HireOne; K-12 STEM programs), and Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Ideas x Innovation Network / i2n, New Business Champions, and free Business Resource Center coaching). It maintains more than 10 affiliated brands and sector-specific industry partnerships, plus the Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors international trade program.

CCEDC is funded through a tiered Investor Program (Premier, Legacy, Strategic, Development, Growth, Goodwill), federal and state grants, event sponsorships, and ancillary facility rental income at its Eagleview conference center, with an explicit $6 million operating budget and 44 professional staff overseen by President & CEO Michael Grigalonis (succeeding long-tenured leader Gary W. Smith in 2023). The organization was certified as a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Treasury in February 2026 alongside a $2 million Commonwealth grant, and operates alongside the Chester County Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) and Seedcopa as wholly controlled affiliates. Cumulative reported impact since 1976 includes over $13.5 billion in brokered commercial financing, $2+ billion in loans closed, 175,000+ jobs created, 190,000+ jobs retained, and 8,000+ businesses established, though these figures are largely attributable to the Smith tenure.

CCEDC's business model is fundamentally non-commercial — most core services (entrepreneur coaching, industry partnership programs, STEM events) are delivered free of charge to Chester County businesses and residents, with costs recovered through diversified public grants and private investor contributions. Its geographic reach is concentrated in Chester County and Southeastern Pennsylvania, with targeted multi-county activity (Berks, Montgomery, Delaware Counties) and an international advisory function through the Global Business Advisors program. The organization explicitly does not market or sell a technology product and has no public AI/ML capability.

Name

Chester County Economic Development Council

Legal name

Chester County Economic Development Council

Website

https://ccedcpa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chester County Economic Development Council is a 60+ year-old Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers financing, business expansion, workforce development, and innovation services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry sectors across Chester County and Southeastern Pennsylvania, operating a $6M budget with 44 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Exton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Investor Program: CCEDC raises funds from businesses of all sizes through its Investor Program. Companies support the organization through tiered investment levels (Premier, Legacy, Strategic, Development, Growth, Goodwill) to contribute to the economic health of the region.
2. Financing Programs Administration: CCEDC administers various loan programs including SBA 504, 7a, PIDA, Tax-exempt financing, PA Catalyst Loan Fund, and USDA programs through its affiliate Seedcopa. Through its 60-plus year history, CCEDC has closed over $2 billion in loans utilizing federal, state, and local loan programs.
3. Facility Rental: CCEDC Conference Center rental at Eagleview Corporate Center provides revenue through meeting room rentals including Conference Center ($430 full day, $280 half day), Hankin Board Room ($350 full day, $250 half day), and Studio Classrooms ($315 full day, $230 half day).
4. Grant Funding: CCEDC receives grant funding from federal, state, and local sources including PA Department of Labor & Industry, Chester County Workforce Development Board, and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
5. Event Sponsorships: Revenue generated from sponsorships of signature events including Golf Classic, TECH360, GETT, Stakeholders Breakfast, and Economic Outlook.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1963 that delivers economic development services to businesses in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its core offerings include business financing, business expansion assistance, workforce development, and innovation/entrepreneurship programs delivered through affiliated entities such as Seedcopa, i2n (innovation), and ITAG.

Product overview

CCEDC is a private, non-governmental economic development organization that has served Chester County, PA for more than 60 years, operating as a portfolio of distinct service lines rather than a single unified product. The organization provides four core service areas: Financing Solutions (including SBA financing via its Seedcopa affiliate, the PA Catalyst Loan Fund, and other loan programs), Business Expansion Services (site identification, retention, and community revitalization), Workforce Development (industry partnerships, Hire One, Project RECONNECT, and K-12 STEM programs), and Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Ideas x Innovation Network/i2n, New Business Champions, and Business Resource Center coaching). These services are delivered through affiliated organizations and industry-specific partnerships including AgConnect (agriculture), ITAG (information technology), Smart Energy Initiative (energy), Health Care Connect (healthcare), and Manufacturing Alliance MACC/DC (manufacturing), plus the international trade advisory Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors and the Chester County Economic Development Foundation 501(c)(3). A facility rental program also operates from the Eagleview Corporate Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seedcopa: SBA Certified Development Company specializing in SBA 504, 7A, and USDA financing for small businesses. One of the largest SBA Certified Development Companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• i2n (Ideas x Innovation Network)
• Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG)
• Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties (MACCDC)
• Smart Energy Initiative (SEI)
• AgConnect
• Health Care Connect
• HireOne
• Economic Development Partners Initiative (EDPI)
• Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors (GBA)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2 billion in loans closed over 60+ years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, premier investor, legacy investor and strategic investor.

• Seedcopa (South Eastern Economic Development Company of PA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC's SBA-Certified Development Company and affiliate specializing in SBA 504, 7A, and USDA financing for small businesses. One of the largest SBA Certified Development Companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. Manages staff of 8 professionals, interacts with over 35 banking partners, and manages relationships with 14 State-Wide Economic Development Agencies.
• West Chester UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with CCEDC and Kutztown University SBDC to create Business Resource Center in Coatesville, PA to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners with free business coaching services.
• Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with CCEDC and West Chester University to create Business Resource Center in Coatesville, PA to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners with free business coaching services.
• Mosaic Development PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC partnered with Philadelphia-based real estate development company Mosaic Development Partners to revive Cheyney University (oldest HBCU in US) through a public-private partnership to expand internship and workforce opportunities.
• Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties (MACC/DC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative that promotes manufacturing industry growth through workforce and economic development services. Brings together private and public sector partners to develop technical skills of workforce and provide growth opportunities.
• AgConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative linking farmers and agricultural business owners with business resources, training, and financing to grow their businesses and promote agricultural economic development in Southeastern PA.
• Health Care Connect (HCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative addressing workforce and business development needs within the local healthcare delivery system, established in 1998 with members from hospital systems, long and short term care facilities, urgent care, and healthcare affiliated employers.
• Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative founded in 1998 bringing together private employers, educators, and public partners to promote information technology, communications, and technological processes. Focuses on workforce training, youth career exploration, cybersecurity, and networking.
• Smart Energy Initiative (SEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative founded in 2007 supporting the region's smart energy industry by providing comprehensive workforce and business development services to partnering energy organizations.
• Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEDC initiative supporting start up businesses in life sciences, energy, and information technology. Provides entrepreneurs with resources, knowledge, and funding to become commercially viable enterprises.
• Pennsylvania Global Business Advisors (GBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class private sector B2B advisory board for regional and international companies looking to expand imports, exports, foreign direct investment, and international partnerships. Serves agriculture, finance, health care, life sciences, energy, tourism, logistics and higher education industries.
• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing programs including PIDA loans, Keystone Communities Program, and KIZ Tax Credit Program. CCEDC serves as KIZ coordinator for Chester and Delaware Counties and state-certified CEDO.
• PA Department of Labor & IndustrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing Industry Partnership grants and workforce development funding. CCEDC works with the department on Next Generation Industry Partnerships model.
• Chester County Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner providing workforce development funding and oversight for programs including HireOne, Project RECONNECT, and Industry Partnerships.
• Chester County Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Economic Development Partners Initiative (EDPI) bringing together planning commission and CCEDC's Redevelopment Committee to bring rateables and jobs to targeted corridors of opportunity.
• CCRES (Chester County Restaurant Enterprise)premier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor in CCEDC's investor program supporting economic development activities.
• Chester County IDApremier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor and affiliated Industrial Development Authority working with CCEDC on tax-exempt financing through Chester County IDA, Central and Western Chester County IDA, and Uwchlan Township IDA.
• Hankin Grouppremier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor and commercial real estate development partner, with Board Chair Michael J. Hankin leading CCEDC Board.
• PECO (Exelon Corporation)premier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor and energy utility partner providing support for economic development activities in the region.
• United Way of Chester Countypremier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor and nonprofit partner supporting community development initiatives.
• Penn State Universitypremier investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier investor and educational partner providing workforce development and research collaboration through Penn State Great Valley.
• Bentley Systemslegacy investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy investor and technology company partner supporting regional economic development.
• Chester County Industrial and Investment Councilstrategic investorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic investor and economic development partner with representation on CCEDC board.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pittsburgh Regional Alliance: PRA is a privately funded regional economic development organization serving the Pittsburgh metro. While serving a different PA geography, the structure and public-private partnership model directly parallel CCEDC's Investor Program.
• Select Greater Philadelphia: Select Greater Philadelphia is the regional business attraction organization covering southeastern PA counties including Chester. It is comparable in employer-attraction/regional-marketing mission and partly overlapping staff lineage (Matthew Cabrey previously at Select).

Broad incumbents

• Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce: GPCC is a broader regional business membership organization serving the Greater Philadelphia area including Chester County. While not a direct EDC competitor, it overlaps with CCEDC's investor/member programs and employer engagement work.

Direct peers

• Lancaster County Economic Development Corporation: LCEDC operates a near-identical model of investor-supported business retention, workforce partnerships, and SBA-style financing for a single PA county. Direct peer given geographic, structural, and service-line parity to CCEDC's Chester County focus.
• Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation: LVEDC delivers investor-funded regional economic development, including marketing, workforce, and business-attraction services for PA counties. Comparable to CCEDC in its public-private partnership structure and Investor Program model.
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania: Ben Franklin Technology Partners provides capital and technology-based economic development services across southeastern PA, including Chester County. It is a direct peer through i2n-style startup funding and innovation support, overlapping with CCEDC's entrepreneurship mandate.
• Greater Berks Development Council: Greater Berks is a PA county-level economic development council providing investor-driven services similar to CCEDC, including business retention/expansion, workforce, and SBA lending support. Direct peer at similar county-level scale.
• Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): PIDC is Philadelphia's primary economic development finance non-profit offering SBA 504, gap financing, and site-selection services - the most directly comparable peer to CCEDC for SBA lending and business retention work, just at city-scale versus county-scale.

Emerging players

• Bridgeway Capital (CDFI): Bridgeway Capital is a PA-based CDFI providing SBA, USDA, and below-market financing to small businesses in underserved communities. Comparable to CCEDC's Seedcopa/PA Catalyst financing activities, especially in light of CCEDC's newly minted CDFI status.

Others

• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED): DCED is CCEDC's primary state-level funding/oversight body, providing PIDA, KIZ, and Keystone Communities programs. While a government entity rather than a peer, it sits in the same economic development ecosystem and administers overlapping programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChescoEDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chester-county-economic-development-council
• Xx.com/ChesterCoEDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chester County Economic Development Council