Altoona-Blair County Development

What Altoona-Blair County Development does

Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation (ABCD Corp) is a private economic development organization and chamber of commerce headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania, founded in 2012 to serve Blair County. ABCD acts as the county's primary intermediary for business attraction, retention, and expansion, administering state and federal financing programs including PIDA loans, SBA 504 loans, KIZ tax credits, NAP tax credits, CHIRP grants, SSBCI funding, and micro-loan programs for entrepreneurs. It also operates the Blair County Chamber of Commerce (with boards agreeing in May 2023 to merge into a unified Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth), the Discover Blair County destination marketing platform, the Move To Blair County relocation assistance program, talent and education pipeline coordination with Penn State Altoona, St. Francis University, and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and the Blair County Convention Center.

ABCD's core products and services span four functional areas: economic development services (site selection, building listings, financing application assistance, permitting coordination through Enterprise Zone and Keystone Opportunity Zone designations); talent and education programs connecting employers with regional workforce pipelines; community and healthcare coordination with partners such as UPMC Altoona; and destination marketing through Discover Blair County's tourism platform. Notable program and project outcomes include $35 million in capital investment and 700 jobs created in 2017, $31 million in investment and 300+ jobs in 2019, a 35.5-acre Keystone Opportunity Zone land sale to A. Duie Pyle, a 15-year $1.85M PIDA loan for Yerty Auto Service, and the 2026 Gable's Building acquisition for downtown historic redevelopment. The organization is led by President and CEO Steve McKnight with a small professional team including CFO Tom Seasoltz, Director of Business Expansion Matt Fox, and Operations and Marketing Director Morgan Koziar.

ABCD's revenue model combines recurring chamber membership fees, state and federal grant funding, and fees from administered financing programs, with go-to-market executed through direct enterprise field sales to businesses considering relocation or expansion, supplemented by event-driven engagement (annual meetings, ribbon cuttings, PEDA conferences, State Chamber Day). No revenue figures are publicly disclosed. ABCD has received industry recognition including a 2014 Site Selection Magazine #1 ranking for Altoona, a 2019 CDFA Excellence Award to CEO Marty Marasco, and 2022 PEDA leadership election of Steve McKnight. The organization does not disclose equity funding, is not venture-backed, and has no identified parent company or institutional investor control.

Name

Altoona-Blair County Development

Legal name

Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation

Website

https://abcdcorp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation is a private economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Blair County, Pennsylvania, administering state and federal financing programs, attracting and retaining businesses, managing the Discover Blair County tourism platform, and coordinating workforce and community development services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses) (531120), Land Subdivision (23721)

SIC

Real Estate (6500), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Loan Brokers (6163)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business expansion assistance
• Commercial financing programs
• Chamber of commerce
• Destination marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Altoona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Chamber Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from businesses joining the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, providing access to networking, advocacy, and member benefits
2. Government Grants and Programs: State and federal economic development funding including PIDA loans, KIZ tax credits, NAP tax credits, CHIRP grants, and various state-funded programs administered by ABCD for local projects
3. Financing Program Administration: Administration of loan programs including PIDA loans, SBA 504 loans, micro-loans, and other financing vehicles for local businesses

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation is a private economic development organization serving Blair County, Pennsylvania. It provides business attraction and expansion assistance, administers commercial financing programs (PIDA loans, SBA 504, micro-loans, KIZ and NAP tax credits), offers site and building listings, and operates the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Blair County destination marketing platform to recruit, retain, and grow businesses in the region.

Product overview

Altoona-Blair County Development (ABCD) Corporation is an economic development organization offering a comprehensive suite of services focused on business growth, community development, talent acquisition, and regional promotion. The organization operates the Discover Blair County tourism platform, manages economic development and financing programs, coordinates with the Chamber of Commerce, provides talent and education pipeline services, supports healthcare and community initiatives, and assists with relocation to Blair County. These services work together to attract businesses, retain talent, and promote Blair County as the 'First Frontier' destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Discover Blair County: Official destination marketing organization for Blair County, PA, promoting tourism and quality of life.

Products and services

• Economic Development Services Core economic development services for Blair County, Pennsylvania, including business attraction, expansion assistance, site and building listings, financing program administration (PIDA, SBA 504, micro-loans, KIZ and NAP tax credits), and permitting coordination for companies considering relocation, expansion, or new investment in the region.
• Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business membership organization providing networking events, advocacy, workforce development roundtable discussions, annual meetings, and member services for Blair County businesses; operated jointly with ABCD Corporation with boards agreeing in May 2023 to merger discussions forming the Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth.
• Blair County Convention Center Meeting and event planning services at the Blair County Convention Center, hosting corporate events, conferences, and community gatherings for Blair County.

Quantifiable outcome

• $31 million capital investment and 300+ jobs in 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Gable's Building (Agreement of Sale)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026ABCD Corporation entered into Agreement of Sale to acquire the Gable's Building in downtown Altoona after more than a decade of planning with external ownership groups, placing future redevelopment efforts under ABCD leadership for historic building revitalization
• Jeff Long ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJeff Long Construction announced redevelopment of the former Penn Central Building, an historic anchor building in downtown Altoona, with construction officially beginning on the historic renovation project
• A. Duie PylecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner101-year-old family-owned logistics provider purchased 35.5-acre property in Pennsylvania Keystone Opportunity Zone through ABCD Corporation support for major expansion
• DelGrosso FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlair County Born food production company with multiple expansions supported by ABCD including sauce plant expansion and latest expansion project
• Yerty Auto Service, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlair-based business approved for 15-year $1.85M PIDA loan through ABCD to acquire and renovate 126,008 sq ft industrial facility in former Lumax building
• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding, tax credits, and programs that ABCD administers for Blair County projects including NAP, KIZ, PIDA, and CHIRP programs
• Penn State AltoonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-year Penn State campus in Altoona serving as talent pipeline and partner in economic development initiatives and innovation programs
• St. Francis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university with Curry Innovation Center providing educational programs and serving as economic development partner
• Pennsylvania Highlands Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college with Blair County Center providing workforce training and educational opportunities for local talent development
• UPMC AltoonamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health center maintaining Blair County campus as top healthcare resource for Central Pennsylvania, serving as major employer and healthcare provider
• Blair County Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce operating jointly with ABCD Corporation, with boards agreeing to merger discussions in 2023 to form unified Blair Alliance for Business and Economic Growth
• Contour AirlinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEssential air service provider connecting Blair County Airport to Philadelphia International Airport enabling regional connectivity
• InspectionGo (iGo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTyrone-based inspection company that relocated and expanded bringing employees from out of state, creating 25+ jobs with ABCD support
• Crowsnest Broadband LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-speed internet provider bringing connectivity to rural Blair County communities, addressing broadband access vital for economic growth

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chester County Economic Development Council: County-level Pennsylvania EDO combining business attraction, financing program administration, and workforce initiatives; operates under a similar public-private model serving a defined PA county geography.
• York County Economic Alliance: Integrated chamber + economic development organization in York County, PA; one of the closest peer models because it already combines Chamber membership with EDO functions and financing — directly comparable to ABCD's planned Alliance merger.
• Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC): Pennsylvania county-region EDO running site selection, business attraction, financing program administration, and marketing for a multi-county footprint; directly comparable business model to ABCD within the same state program ecosystem.
• Greater Reading Chamber Alliance: Combined chamber/economic development body in Berks County, PA; relevant comparison as another Pennsylvania alliance-style EDO + chamber consolidation pursuing the same unified growth strategy ABCD is moving toward.
• Discover Lehigh Valley (DMO): Pennsylvania destination marketing organization affiliated with the regional EDO; directly comparable to ABCD's Discover Blair County sub-brand in mission, funding model, and tourism promotion scope.
• Lancaster County Economic Development Foundation: County-level Pennsylvania economic development foundation providing business retention/expansion, financing referrals, and workforce support; comparable scope and rural-Pennsylvania context to ABCD's Blair County operations.

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): Pennsylvania's largest public-private economic development corporation; comparable for its mix of business financing, real estate development, and workforce/equity programs — a scaled-up analog to ABCD's blended EDO/chamber/development model.
• Pittsburgh Regional Alliance: Regional economic development organization serving the broader Pittsburgh metro; comparable as a Pennsylvania-focused EDO that recruits/expands businesses, administers state programs, and markets its region to outside investors and site selectors.

Regional players

• Scranton Chamber of Commerce / The Chamber (NEPA): Regional chamber/EDO hybrid serving Lackawanna County and NE Pennsylvania; comparable in blending chamber and economic development services within a rural Pennsylvania geography.
• Erie County Industrial Development Authority: Pennsylvania county industrial development authority administering financing programs and development projects; comparable as a state-credentialed PA development authority, but serving a different region (Erie, NW PA).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DiscoverBlairCounty
• Facebookfacebook.com/discoverblaircounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/discover-blair-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/discoverblaircounty
• Xx.com/altoonablairedc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Altoona-Blair County Development