Who We Are
The Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth
The Blair County Alliance for Business and Economic Growth is a private non-profit 501(c)6 organization whose mission is to grow the economy, attract new investment and improve the quality of life for all Blair County residents. The Alliance serves as Blair County’s leading resource for facilitating economic, community and business development. Through our coordinated economic development financing programs, member services, advocacy, technical assistance, and all things in between, our goal is simple: to ensure Blair County is the best and most competitive community it can be to attract and retain talent, investment, and job opportunities for future generations to come. The Alliance has two-member affiliated entities: The Altoona Blair County Development (ABCD) Corporation and the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.
Alliance Member Organizations:
- 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. For over 60 years ABCD has been dedicated to business growth and wealth creation throughout Blair County. Since our founding in 1946 ABCD has facilitated over 2,000 projects reflecting more than $2 billion in total project costs and the creation/retention of thousands of jobs.
- The Blair County Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1887 as a membership association of businesses and organizations working together to promote, inform, educate, and advocate for the membership and the community. The Chamber now has more than 1,000 members constantly looking for new ways to make an impact. Whether it is a program that we initiate or an event in which we collaborate with others, we get results! Our members’ success is vital to us and that is why the Chamber takes pride in its advocacy role by looking for ways to help our member businesses succeed.
Matthew Fox
VP Business Retention & Expansion
mattf@abcdcorp.org
O: (814) 944-6113 x 2 | M: (814) 418-9205
Marcus Edwards
SBA Program Administrator
& Economic Development Lender
marcusm@abcdcorp.org
Office: (814) 944-6113 x 6
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:
Blair County Administrator
Mark Ickes
Explore Altoona
Nate Kissell
Interim City Manager, City of Altoona
Legal Counsel:
J. Benjamin Yeager, Esq.
Yeager & Eberhardt Attorneys at Law
Board Members:
Josh Baker – Amtran
Kris Baronner – M&T Bank
Robert Bilger – Kish Bank
Andrea Cohen – Blair Companies
Mike Corso – UPMC Altoona
Derek Coughenour – James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Ron Darbeau – Penn State Altoona
Bruno DeGol, III – DeGol Organization
Michael DelGrosso – DelGrosso Foods
Joe Diamond – PA Farm Bureau
Richard Fiore, Jr. – Leonard S. Fiore
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
Kirsten Stratton – KMS Interior Design
Adam Ward – Ward Transport & Logistics
Planning
No one should set a course without a good map. Our mission, goals and the steps needed to achieve them are the result of solid planning effort with community input every step along the way. While our 5-year strategic plan is our north star, the Alliance planning foundation is wide and deep. Below is a planning resource library. Check out a copy – There are no late return fees!
- ABCD Corp. Strategic Plan
- 2023 ABCD Corp. Annual Report
- 2022 ABCD Corp. Annual Report
- Altoona Vision-A Framework for Action
- Ahead of the Curve – Altoona Housing Strategy & Downtown Investment Plan
- Southern Alleghenies Regional Housing Plan – 2023
- Blair County 2030
- Blair County 2021-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan
- Southern Alleghenies Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024
- Alleghenies Ahead – Comprehensive Plan
- Hybrid Workforce Feasibility Study – Southern Alleghenies Region
SITE SELECTION INQUIRIES
Matthew Fox
mattf@abcdcorp.org
814-944-6113 x2
FINANCING INQUIRIES
| Tom Seasoltz toms@abcdcorp.org 814-944-6113 x3 |
Renae Lynn renael@abcdcorp.org 814-944-6113 x5 |
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INQUIRIES
| Jennifer Fleck jfleck@blairchamber.com 814-943-8151 |
