From its inception in September, 2007, the SEI has grown to include more than 300 companies from around the region! Offering public education programming, incumbent worker training, and a host of other business-related services, the SEI has become a key resource for the energy community.

For more information, please visit SmartEnergyPA.org or contact:

Jim Lauckner, Partnership Director at 610.458.5700 x 313 or jlauckner@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Will Williams, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x259 or wwilliams@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG) -

ITAG’s mission is to promote Information Technology, Communications, and Technological Processes, to all companies and individuals in Southeastern Pennsylvania as a means to become more effective in an increasingly sophisticated global marketplace. This is accomplished by working closely with and servicing participating ITAG companies, economic development agencies, and education/training partners to develop the tech workforce and help businesses succeed by using technology effectively. TechiesDay, TechTrek, and G.E.T.T. are examples of ITAG programs.

For more information, please visit www.itagpa.org or contact:

Jim Lauckner, Partnership Director at 610.458.5700 x313 or jlauckner@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Will Williams, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x259 or wwilliams@cceconomicdevelopment.com

The mission of the Chester County Health Care Partnership is to facilitate networking and sharing of information with local businesses, health care organizations and educational facilities.  This partnership will aid in collaboration for funding to develop more efficient and cost effective work place training and recruitment to benefit the health care industry.

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) received funding from the Chester County Workforce Investment Board through the Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Project, part of the State of Pennsylvania's effort to proactively address critical workforce shortages in key occupations within the state's target industry sectors, and the State Activities Training Fund to implement and provide Industry Partnership Activities within the Health Care Industry.

The funding received by CCEDC will continue the efforts of the Chester County Health Care Task Force.  The Chester County Health Care Task Force was originally formed in 1998 at the Chester County Work Force Summit to address workforce development needs within the local health care delivery system.  The Task Force has now become the Chester County Health Care Partnership.  The group now includes more than 30 organizations: hospitals, continuing care facilities, acute rehabilitation facilities, educational institutions, and county development offices.

Training for current health care employees and outreach to recruit and retain health care workers are both integral parts of the Chester County Health Care Partnership's mission.  Outreach programs include, but are not limited to:

• Presentations about nursing and allied health careers at Chester County high schools and other organizations upon request
• Health Care Career Showcases held each spring at area health care facilities and educational settings to provide students with a close look at how the health care organizations and their employees operate.
• Health Care Career Awareness Day held each November, along with the PA CareerLink, Chester County Department of Community Development, the Chester County Economic Development Council, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and the Chester County Workforce Investment Board, to promote health care career opportunities.

For more information about the Chester County Health Care Partnership, visit its website at www.chestercountyhealthcare.org or contact:

Laura Heikkila, Program Consultant at 610.458.5700 x 312 or lheikkila@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Patti Van Cleave, Project Coordinator at 610.458.5700 x212 or pvancleave@cceconomicdevelopment.com

The mission of the Southeastern PA Agriculture Partnership is to build the capacity of farmers and their supply-chain partners to meet the growing demand for local, fresh foods in the region through investment in business training and workforce development.

As an integral part of this mission the Partnership is dedicated to addressing the following needs in the region:

• Promoting and elevating the perception of farming as a viable livelihood to youth and second career entrants.
• Increasing availability of local processing for meat and dairy producers.
• Advancing regional farmers' retail marketing skills and ability to meet local markets.

For more information about the Southeastern PA Agriculture Partnership, please contact:

Suzanne Milshaw, Partnership Director at 610.458.5700 x 239 or smilshaw@cceconomicdevelopment.com

Karen Costello, Program and Marketing Coordinator at 610.458.5700
x 219 or kcostello@cceconomicdevelopment.com