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:
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Retain and grow existing businesses
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Attract new businesses
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Create and retain jobs
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Develop the workforce
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Generate private and public business investment
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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.
LAURA KURTZ KUHNS
Executive Director
JIM GRAY
Economic Development Manager
TRACI FENNER
Office Manager/HR Admin
TINA WARGO
Chief Technical Officer
MISTY HILTABIDEL
Workforce Development
Specialist
LORI SCOTT
Business Development Coordinator
BEN SIEBART
Loan Program Coordinator
TWILA KENDALL
Contract Administrator
BRENDA SAPIC
Accountant (AP)
SANDY McCLELLAND
Administrative Assistant
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
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