Membership Spotlight - Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

Founded in 1979, Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a Pennsylvania-based incubator specifically serving the City of Allentown, which is home to more than 124,000 residents. More than 54% of these residents identifying as Hispanic/Latino. AEDC focuses on supporting manufacturing entrepreneurs and small businesses within Allentown. Brittany Butkowski serves as the primary point of contact for AEDC and can be reached via the InBIA Member Directory on MyCompass.

Mission

AEDC’s mission is to make Allentown the best place to grow a manufacturing business. They accomplish their mission through a range of activities:

-incubating businesses and cultivating the entrepreneurial ecosystem

-redeveloping vacant and underutilized industrial sites, returning them to productive use

-managing rehabilitated industrial properties to house the best employers in the city

-actively engaging with the City's manufacturing businesses

-deploying economic development financing programs to drive business growth and physical improvement of the city's manufacturing buildings.

Programs and Services

AEDC has three programs: Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, Urban Made, and Urban Sites. Bridgeworks Enterprise Center is their incubation program that is currently home to 9 clients and 3 anchor tenants. Urban Made is their business and retention program. Urban Sites is the core of AEDC where they rehabilitate industrial properties and buildings for modern manufacturing use.

Distinctive and Unique Aspects

• Their Urban Sites program makes AEDC unique. Redevelopment of urban sites can be challenging and a lengthy process which many private developers shy away from. AEDC doesn't shy away from these projects, some projects have taken 10+ years to complete and/or find a buyer for and our organization doesn't give up.

Partnerships with InBIA

As a longstanding InBIA member and current Association Member, the Allentown Economic Development Corporation has gained invaluable insights and connections that support its mission of empowering manufacturing entrepreneurs. The organization thrives on the shared passion and collaborative spirit fostered within the InBIA network.