Economic Development

Greater Philadelphia is a complex region, covering portions of two states, with hundreds of municipalities responsible for individual development and land use decisions. The region’s economy is similarly diverse with dozens of public– and private– sector organizations seeking to promote or attract a wide variety of sectors and specific interests. DVRPC’s process and strategies strive to address all the challenges and promote opportunities within the region.

While each county and municipality approaches economic development differently, we are all united in advancing common goals: investing in people, creating attractive places, supporting businesses, and transforming infrastructure to meet the needs of a changing ecosystem. Continued coordination across state lines, city and county boundaries, employment sectors, and public and private sectors is essential to maintain a regional perspective.

As the Economic Development District for the nine-county region, DVRPC manages the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Greater Philadelphia region, satisfying provisions of the United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA). The Greater Philadelphia Economic Development Framework was formally approved by EDA as the regional CEDS on September 30, 2009 and recently updated in 2019.

Committee Workshops

An inclusive economic development strategy relies on input and participation from the CEDS Committee.  Staff has compiled the results from the online SWOT analysis and will use the analysis to help inform the next step of developing updated goals.

To take part in the process, staff will be holding three 75-minute virtual committee workshops to discuss the individual theme goals of the CEDS: Economic, Social, and Environment.  Committee members may attend one or all of the workshops. Registration is required.

Workshop Registration Links:

April 17, 2023, 10 am   Economic Goals and Strategies Workshop

April 18, 2023, 10 am  Social Goals and Strategies Workshop

April 19, 2023, 10 am  Environment Goals and Strategies Workshop

If you would like to be part of the CEDS Committee, please email kpcilurso@dvrpc.org.

Background Documents

Please review prior to the workshops. These documents will only be covered briefly.

SWOT Analysis Results (PDF)

Updating Goals for the CEDS: State of the Region (PDF)

FY 2019 Growing Greater Philadelphia: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Greater Philadelphia

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District