Future of economic development subject of summit

MILFORD — The Pike County Economic Development Authority (EDA) will hold its Economic Development Summit Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Resort, located at 205 Route 507 in Hawley.

The agenda will include discussions about economic development since the last summit in February; changes in the local economy, like the unemployment rate over the past few years; and plans for the immediate future, including a recent effort to solicit targets in New England.

Former state Senator Michael Brubaker will be the guest speaker. He is the past chair of the Rural Affairs and Senate Finance Committee, and is now the CEO of the Blackford Ventures, LLC, one of Pennsylvania’s top venture capital investment firms. Brubaker will discuss the role of venture capital and how it might be used in Pike County.

Five new businesses will receive the 2015 EDA Economic Development Award for their contributions to the local economy. The award is granted to companies who have made significant investment and created new jobs in Pike County. Recipients will receive a special trophy.

The program will also focus on key issues that either enhance or inhibit EDA efforts to attract thoughtful and desirable growth to the county. Discussions will include how low Pennsylvania personal income tax rates, high corporate tax rates, and lack of infrastructure are used to attract certain classifications of businesses to Pike County.

This meeting especially targets landowners, engineering firms, bankers, legal firms, real estate agents, builders, public officials, members of the media, and anyone else interested in the economic future of Pike County.

The evening will feature a buffet dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 0 per person. To RSVP call Tammy Savarese at the Pike County Economic Development Office at 570-296-7332.