CONTACT

Who We Are

The Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation (ABCD) is a private non-profit 501(c)3 certified economic development corporation. We work as a catalyst for business expansion in Blair County, Pennsylvania and through regional partnerships along the I-99 Innovation Corridor. For over 60 years ABCD has been dedicated to business growth and wealth creation throughout Blair County.

ABCD has twice been named the “Large Agency of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association and was awarded the project of the year by the Northeastern Economic Development Association. Since our founding in 1946 ABCD has facilitated over 1,000 projects reflecting in excess of $2 billion in total project costs and the creation/retention of thousands of jobs.

What We Do

Through our economic development financing programs, development services, and all things in between, our goal is simple: to ensure Blair County is the best and most competitive community it can be so we can attract and retain talent, investment and job opportunities for future generations to come.

Investing in ABCD Corp.

Over the past several decades, ABCD has served thousands of businesses providing more than $500 million in financing. This investment has enabled local firms to start-up, expand and create new employment opportunities for Blair County residents. The economic impact of these efforts exceeds $2 billion in both direct and indirect benefits on the local economy. Individuals and corporations can invest in ABCD Corp. to ensure we build upon our success and ensure a vibrant and economically sustainable economy for generations to come. Your investment allows us to implement our strategic operational objectives and maximize local economic impact. ABCD’s detailed strategic plan can be found by clicking here. For individuals, please click on the ABCD Economic Growth Fund button below, and for corporate contributions click on the ABCD Capital Campaign Fund button.

ABCD ECONOMIC GROWTH FUND (Individual Investors)

ABCD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN (Corporate Investors)

Stephen McKnight
President & CEO

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 1
Mobile: (814) 312-5251

Matthew Fox
Director of Business Expansion

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 2
Mobile: (814) 418-9205

Tom Seasoltz
Chief Financial Officer

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 3

Rachel Prosser
Accountant

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 4

Renae Lynn
Economic Development Loan Specialist

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 5

Marcus Edwards
SBA Program Administrator
& Economic Development Lender

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 6

Colleen Carruthers
Executive Assistant

Office: (814) 944-6113 x 7

Board Members

Executive Committee:

Ron McConnell, Chair
Operation Our Town

Ann Benzel, 1st Vice Chair
Benzels Bretzel Bakery

Mark Ritchey, 2nd Vice Chair
Curry Rail Services

Mike Settimio, Secretary
S&T Bank

Troy Campbell, Treasurer
Altoona First Savings Bank

Phil Freeman, Asst. Sec./Treasurer
Reliance Bank

Dan Hoover, Asst. Sec./Treasurer
Roaring Spring Blank Book

Joe Sheetz, Asst. Sec./Treasurer
Sheetz, Inc.

Clark Stapelfeld, Asst. Sec./Treasurer
New Pig Corp.

Advisory Members:

Nicole Hemminger

Blair County Administrator

Joe Hurd
Blair County Chamber

Mark Ickes
Explore Altoona

Rex Metz
Metz Sales, Inc.

Omar Strohm
City Manager, City of Altoona

Legal Counsel:

J. Benjamin Yeager, Esq.
Yeager & Eberhardt Attorneys at Law

Board Members:

Robert Bilger – Kish Bank
Josh Baker – Amtran
Kris Baronner – M&T Bank
Andrea Cohen – Blair Companies
Derek Coughenour – James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
James Crowder – Penelec
Ron Darbeau – Penn State Altoona
Bruno DeGol, III – DeGol Organization
Michael DelGrosso – DelGrosso Foods
Bruce Erb – Blair County Commissioner
Bryan Fisher – First Commonwealth Bank
Jan Fisher – UPMC Altoona
Nick Gates – First National Bank
John Horell – GAEDC Chair
Brian Irwin – Irwin Financial
Frank Montecalvo – St. Francis University
Matt Pacifico – City of Altoona
Eric Palmer – Greater Altoona Career & Tech Center
Bo Pratt – Rockland Manufacturing
John Russell – InspectionGo
George Sidney – McLanahan Corp.
Adam Ward – Ward Transport & Logistics