September 16, 2026

Dear Stakeholders,

I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and enjoyed time with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 23rd Annual Golf Classic. We enjoyed hosting you and are grateful to the many sponsors who make that event possible. Some great photos from the day are below.

This month, we're especially excited to celebrate two impactful local projects made possible through our PA Catalyst Loan Fund. First, we highlight Shoot360, which has brought a second innovative basketball training concept to the region. Check out the feature that was done by 6ABC to learn more! And we’re equally proud of our Catalyst Fund providing the financing needed to bring a community-owned grocery store to the Borough of West Chester. The West Chester Co-op opened its doors last month! 

You'll also find information below on funding opportunities, including a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture grant for fruit growers and a new Local Share Account funding round.  Please connect with us so we can help you navigate the application process. Plus don't miss the chance to provide valuable feedback in the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey.



Finally, we share news from our CCEDC family as we congratulate MaryFrances McGarrity on her retirement, we welcome Diana Cox to the SeedcoPA + SeedcoDE team, and we introduce five new board members.

With appreciation,

Mike

Catalyst Loan Fund Borrower, Shoot360, Featured on 6ABC

Last year, CCEDC partnered with Mosaic Development Partners and Cheyney University to bring Shoot360, a state-of-the-art basketball training facility, to Cheyney's campus. This was made possible, in part, through a $400,000 loan from CCEDC's Catalyst Loan Fund.

Shoot360's owners recently expanded with a second location in Norristown and were featured on 6ABC News. The Catalyst Fund was used again to make this project a reality!

West Chester Cooperative Now Open

The West Chester Co-op opened in August with a 2,800-square-foot retail space in the heart of the West Chester borough - 204 W. Market St. - and is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days/week.

CCEDC was proud to utilize its Catalyst Fund program to help finance this important project. Other financing was provided by member-owners, Propell Credit Union and Brandywine Valley HVAC.

Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey Now Open

CCEDC is partnering with the Federal Reserve and the Greater Philadelphia Growth Partnership to conduct a survey to gather insight on small business credit trends. Data will be available on a regional and county-specific basis.



The survey is open through November 13 to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential.

We would be grateful if you took a few minutes to complete the survey.

Pennsylvania Announces Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Recovery Grant

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering up to $10 million in relief to Pennsylvania fruit growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21, 2026.

Eligible specialty crops that produced 30% less than expected due to freeze damage may qualify for this program.

Applications for Local Share Account (LSA) Program Now Open

The new LSA grant funding round window has opened and will close on November 30. Eligible projects must improve the quality of life of citizens in the community and must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Non-profit organizations can apply with a sponsoring municipality or with CCEDC as the eligible applicant. Contact Kate Baganski, Redevelopment Grants Coordinator, to learn more or discuss your project.

CCEDC Elects Five to Board of Directors

CCEDC is pleased to announce the election of five new board members - Greg Black, Enterprise Account Executive, TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods; Kimberly Brumbaugh, Founder and Managing Partner, Brumbaugh Wealth Management, LLC; Ronan Gannon, President and CEO, LCH Health and Community Services; Thomas King, Regional Vice President, NVR, Inc.; and Chris Palumbo, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Citadel Federal Credit Union. Concluding their term on the board of directors are: Steve Figgatt, Founder and CEO, Sycamore International Inc.; Bill Hostetter, CEO, Hostetter Grain; Todd Pohlig, Principal, Pohlig Builders; and Greg Reaves, CEO and Co-founder, Mosaic Development Partners.

Mike Grigalonis Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer

CCEDC's President and CEO, Mike Grigalonis, was recently featured in a Philadelphia Inquirer article.

The Inquirer talked with Mike about his transition from intern to the top job at CCEDC and about the current economic landscape of Chester County.

MaryFrances McGarrity Retirement Party

CCEDC recently hosted a retirement party for MaryFrances McGarrity. She was celebrated and honored with well wishes, including an Irish toast, and some great beach gear to help her enjoy carefree days down the shore. We wish her the best of luck in this new, relaxed chapter of her life!

Seedcopa Welcomes Diana Cox to the Team

Diana Cox has been named Operations Specialist at Seedcopa + SeedcoDE. "Diana brings a deep knowledge of commercial lending – from origination to closing and servicing – as well as experience working directly with borrowers, appraisers and title companies,” said Seedcopa + SeedcoDE President Sherwood Robbins. “Seedcopa borrowers and lenders will appreciate her expertise translating complex lending workflow into systems that clients can use. We’re excited to have her on the team.”

CCEDC Hosts 23^rd Annual Golf Classic

It was a beautiful day at French Creek Golf Club when 128 golfers took to the links for CCEDC’s sold-out 23^rd Annual Golf Outing. A special thanks to this year's two Title Sponsors - Howell Engineering, Surveying & Environmental and Meridian Bank, and to all our other generous sponsors!

Click the button on the right to read a recap and view photos from the event.