ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOES REGIONAL

BIDA and RBI partner to become Regional Economic Development Group

​Berwick, PA - Berwick Industrial Development Association and Rural Business Innovation Corporation have teamed up to create a regional economic development group for the North Central Pennsylvania region.  The counties covered include but are not limited to: Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northumberland, Montour, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan and Union.

           Steven Phillips, Executive Director of BIDA stated, “In today’s global economy and need to create and retain jobs, the need for services and access to resources is greater than ever.  RBI brings the small business aspect to our organization as well as access to resources for existing business and industry; while allowing for the organic growth of small business to develop and grow into our existing industrial parks and complexes”. 

BIDA has been a leader in economic development for the Greater Berwick area for almost sixty (60) years, with having first purchased the existing BIDA complex in 1962 which evolved from a single manufacturing firm to now housing a nearly twenty (20) businesses that substantially contribute to Berwick’s economic vitality.

            Kelly O’Brien Gavin, Executive Director of RBI stated, “This partnership truly creates a regional organization that can redefine the geographic area that we can operate in and the services that we can provide our clients.  This provides the smaller business clients that we deal with a direct connection to larger more sustainable companies for potential partnerships and growth related projects.  This also allows RBI to now evolve its services to better serve larger companies and provide them with access to our larger partners for research & development for growth and job retention.”

RBI’s partners include: Bloomsburg, Bucknell and Susquehanna Universities, Geisinger Health Systems, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, First Columbia Bank and Trust, First Keystone Community Bank, Mid-Penn Bank, M & T Bank, Hutchison Insurance and now BIDA. 

The combined mission of both organizations it to foster job creation, recruitment and retention.  BIDA and RBI see a larger vision of economic development cooperative growth that cannot be limited by geographic boundaries.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kelly O'Brien Gavin at 570-245-0096 or email at kelly@ruralbusinessinnovation.org.