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
- 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
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.

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:
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
ABCD Partners
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 |
ALL OTHER INQUIRIES
Matthew Fox mattf@abcdcorp.org 814-944-6113 x2 |
Mailing Address: 3900 Industrial Park Drive Altoona, PA 16602 |