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ABOUT FAY-PENN

Designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO)

Fay-Penn was incorporated in 1991 to assist in the economic development revitalization efforts in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  We are  a membership based organization, designated as a tax-exempt, nonprofit under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Our funding comes from revenue generation by Fay-Penn operations, various local, public and private contributors and foundations, and grant and loan support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and federal government for specific projects.  All contributions are used to support economic development revitalization efforts throughout Fayette County, including providing assistance to other economic development organizations and initiatives.

As part of our mission, we are committed to providing comprehensive business development services to make our clients more competitive in a global marketplace. 

Fay-Penn strives to create a supportive environment for business start-up, expansion and attraction by implementing programs to:

 

  • Retain and grow existing businesses

  • Attract new businesses

  • Create and retain jobs

  • Develop the workforce

  • Generate private and public business investment

  • Enhance quality of life amenities and services

SITE SELECTION

Fayette County has a great location, low cost of doing business, workforce attracting amenities, and all the incentives and support you need to compete in today's global marketplace.

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Fay-Penn collaborates with local, regional and state partners to offer a plethora of business amenities aimed at helping your business succeed.

FINANCING

Fay-Penn provides loan financing with low rates and loan fees to small businesses. We also coordinate the lending process with various partners to provide complete, seamless financing packages.

WORKFORCE

We combine efforts with our partners and local educational institutions to provide comprehensive workforce development services designed to have direct impacts  for employers.

OUR TEAM

Fay-Penn employees are dedicated to making a positive difference in Fayette County, Pennsylvania through their work. Everyone on our staff is accountable not only to their individual areas of involvement, but also to the overall impact our organization has on our region. 

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

LAURA KURTZ KUHNS
Executive Director

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

JIM GRAY
Economic Development Manager

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

TRACI FENNER
Office Manager/HR Admin

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

TINA WARGO
Chief Technical Officer

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

MISTY HILTABIDEL

Workforce Development
Specialist

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

LORI SCOTT
Business Development Coordinator

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

BEN SIEBART
Loan Program Coordinator

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

TWILA KENDALL
Contract Administrator

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

BRENDA SAPIC
Accountant (AP)

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

SANDY McCLELLAND
Administrative Assistant

Friendly Fay-Penn staff

KIM WYDA
Accountant (AR)

EARL MILLER
Real Estate Services Manager

BOARD OFFICERS

Chair  Mark Fike, Account Executive, Sprowls Insurance Group

1st Vice Chair  Dan Gearing, President, Specialty Conduit & Manufacturing, LLC.

2nd Vice Chair  Todd Casteel, CEO, Compass Technologies

Treasurer  Lawrence Kiefer, Treasurer, Somerset Bank & Trust/Mid-Penn Bank

Secretary  Greg Parsons, Owner. Parsons Insurance Services, LLC

Assistant Secretary  Steve Neubauer, President/General Manager, Neubauer's Flowers, Inc.

Assistant Treasurer  William Blaney

Past Chair  James Foutz, Zodiac Management Services, LLC

BOARD MEMBERS

Ed Balling

Deborah Fox

Wayne Freed

Michael George

Max House

Judy Lynn-Craig

James Nicola

Rusty Smalley

James Stark

Ted Stilgenbauer

Devan White

OUR HISTORY

Founder of Fay-Penn, Mr. Robert E. Eberly, Sr.

Robert E. Eberly, Sr.

In 1990, Robert E. Eberly, Sr. and a number of state and local elected officials garnered a $500,000 Economic Revitalization Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that led to the formation of Fay-Penn on January 16, 1991 to assist in growing the economy of Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Eberly was Fay-Penn's original Board Chair and served from 1991 - 2001.

Throughout the years, Fay-Penn administered, created, and merged with a number of local industrial and economic development organizations having a similar purpose.  Fay-Penn is the only organization in Fayette County designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO).

With strong leadership and support, Fay-Penn continues to thrive and maintains a reputation as one of the most well-respected economic development organizations not only in the Commonwealth but across the country.

Although the organization's primary mission has remained constant, its strategies continually expand and evolve.  Our progressive attitude and adaptability to external economic drivers have been key factors in us creating or retaining over 10,000 jobs and generating $1.7 billion in business investment in Fayette County.

Fay-Penn is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9420

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