NewPA – Pennsylvania’s Business Retention and Expansion Program
What is it?
BREP is a statewide program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) that encourages firms to stay, grow and create more jobs in the Commonwealth. Through the program, economic development professionals visit businesses to access their needs and offer assistance whenever necessary. The assistance is provided through an extensive network of service providers throughout Pennsylvania.
How does it work in Monroe County?
Business liaisons (interviewers) from PMEDC and Monroe County CareerLInk conduct face to face interviews with business leaders. These business liaisons ask a series of questions addressing various issues. If the business liaison identifies a specific need for assistance, the business is referred to an appropriate service provider for help. As each visit is conducted, the results of the visit are entered into an online system that is managed statewide by DCED. DCED then has tangible data on what is happening with businesses throughout the state and is able to analyze and compare business trends, opportunities and challenges.
Why does the program exist?
The PA Business Retention and Expansion Program has been recognized nationally as the most comprehensive business retention effort of its kind and complements the Governor’s Action Team’s focus on business attraction and expansion. Business Retention and Expansion are DCED’s focus for the following reasons:
- 80% of jobs and capital investment come from existing businesses.
- Customer retention is both the most cost-effective and time-efficient economic development strategy.
- Good retention leads to good business recruitment because one of the major ways that CEOs evaluate a community for investment is by talking to local CEOs.
- It provides an opportunity to thank business owners and CEO’s for doing business in Pennsylvania.
The Results
By working together as a team, we have created an unprecedented level of communication and cooperation among local and regional economic, workforce, and community development organizations and other service providers to better serve the business community.
What is in it for Monroe County businesses?
This program is way to communicate issues affecting your business and get connected with services that can help you grow in Pennsylvania. Click here to to request a visit or call our office at (570) 839-1992 and we will come to you!
