ESU to Host Governor Rendell and Team Pennsylvania Regional Economic Development Conference

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will be the site of Governor Edward G. Rendell's Regional Economic Development Conference for Northeast Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 18.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will be the site of Governor Edward G. Rendell's Regional Economic Development Conference for Northeast Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 18. The conference, hosted by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, will be held in the university's Keystone Room, in ESU's Center for Hospitality Management. It will begin with a reception at 9:30 AM and the conference begins at 10 AM. Attendance is by Team Pennsylvania Foundation invitation only.

"We are honored to be hosting Governor Rendell and this important event at the university," said Dr. Robert J. Dillman, ESU president. "Northeast Pennsylvania is experiencing the same economic difficulties as other regions throughout the state. The Governor has been hosting a series of Economic Development Conferences throughout the Commonwealth and programs such as this are important to the regional and state–wide development of ideas for revitalization."

This is the tenth in a series of economic development conferences, which are sponsored by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, a private, non–profit organization developed to foster economic growth and community development throughout the Commonwealth. The purpose of the conferences is to bring together political, business, labor and community leaders to present regional economic needs to the Governor. The Governor hopes this initiative will then spark an effort to reinvigorate economic growth in towns and cities across Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania's economy is facing an uphill, but not insurmountable battle," said Governor Rendell. "Many communities across our state are teetering on the edge of economic despair. Even in the face of a budget deficit, we must develop a comprehensive, statewide economic development program to help revitalize those communities."

Prior to this economic conference with Governor Rendell, a regional committee is expected to meet and develop a clear, unified vision of the economic development needs and opportunities in Northeast Pennsylvania. The group is expected to present to the Governor with their priorities and long–term development needs during the March 18 meeting.

"Team Pennsylvania is committed to making Pennsylvania a national leader in economic development and job growth," Tighe King, co–chair of the TeamPA board of directors, noted. "We look forward to working with Governor Rendell to accomplish that goal for our state."