This site is the home of both the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) and the Chester Redevelopment Authority (CRA).
For more information, please see ABOUT US
Please contact us by email during the COVID-19 Crisis:
Lisa R. Gaffney, Executive Director lrg@ceda.cc
Jo Ann Ruark, Director of Community Development jar@ceda.cc
Ken Di Pietro, Financial Controller kjd@ceda.cc
Recent Press Releases
Featured Articles
We're very happy to welcome a new business to Chester! The Larimer Beer Company just opened near the Philadelphia Union’s Talen Energy soccer stadium. SEE POSTER FOR LOCATION & HOURS
"Chester Slowly Beginning to Reap the Economic Benefits of Being Home to a Pro Sports Franchise" READ MORE
“Ten Years after Professional Soccer comes to Chester, is this now making an impact? The stadium opened during the great recession and it has taken time for the effects of having key anchor institutions in Chester. New businesses are moving into Chester and the number of new business and residential starts has dramatically increased.” READ MORE
Federal Reserve Bank convenes meeting in Chester on the topic of “Capital for Communities, Revitalization in Chester” READ MORE
Interview with Brett Roe - Drake Nakaishi recently spoke with Brett Roe, owner of Roe Fabricators and Roe Marketing Group. Roe is a nationally known leader in digital large format printing, based in Chester. READ MORE
"Chester Pennsylvania, Looking to Grow" - Business View Magazine's November 2017 interview with Drake Nakaishi, Executive Director of the Chester Economic Development Authority (part of their series on American cities). READ MORE
Springfield Pasta - Springfield Pasta, a family business that dates back over 100 years has moved their production to Chester. READ MORE
Main Line Today Magazine - “The Fight to Bring Chester Back From the Brink“ READ MORE
Invest Philadelphia - article highlights Chester City READ MORE
CEDA's Lisa Gaffney Receives Environmental Leadership Award
On November 1, 2018 the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association (CRC) presented their Environmental Leadership award to Lisa Gaffney (CEDA's Deputy Executive Director) for her leadership in tree plantings along the Chester Creek and being a site leader for their Annual Stream Clean-up.
Lisa Gaffney is the Deputy Executive Director for the Chester Economic Development Authority, responsible for housing programs, grant writing and Redevelopment projects. She also serves as the Deputy Director of the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, a nonprofit membership organization of major Waterfront businesses and institutions. Currently, she administers the Chester Shade Tree Commission and serves on the Board of the Housing Equality Center of PA and served on the Board of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Lisa’s previous experience includes positions at the Chester Community Improvement Project, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
CEDA Executive Director Drake Nakaishi on Jobs and Economic Development
On October, 25th CEDA Executive Director Drake Nakaishi testified before PA House Minority Policy Committee on the topic of Jobs and Economic Development. In his comments to the committee, Mr. Nakaishi outlined six ways Harrisburg could help communities such as Chester. For a full transcript of Mr. Nakaishi's comments see: Minority Policy Committee Transcript on Jobs and Economic Development
Property Listings
Following are two links that may be helpful in finding properties in Delaware County:
Delaware County Public Access (search for property ownership by address or folio number)
Current County Repository Sale List (properties available for sale to the general public)
Available Properties
The following is a list of available properties owned by the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) and the Chester Redevelopment Authority (CRA):
Further information can also be found at:
“The Chamber strongly believes that immigrants serve as an important source for entrepreneurial activity and skilled workforce,” said Rob Wonderling, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “Supporting immigrant population growth and accelerating immigrant integration will continue to attract and retain successful business owners and workers from around the globe to Greater Philadelphia, further strengthening our region’s diverse and vibrant economy. We strongly urge our elected leaders to enact policies and reforms that will support immigration as a critical piece to innovation, company formation, and job growth in our economy.”
The Reason for Reform campaign brings together state business, civic, and cultural leaders to urge Congress to take action on immigration reform. Today’s Philadelphia event coincides with the release of a new report on immigrant contributions in Pennsylvania. The research includes data on the foreign-born population in the state, including tax contributions, spending power, and their role in Pennsylvania’s key industries as leaders and job creators.
“Region’s that lead in the 21st Century must intentionally attract diverse people,” said Peter Gonzales, President and CEO, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. “Becoming a more welcoming place for immigrants provides our region with a competitive leg up on the competition.”
The Contributions of New Americans in Pennsylvania shows that immigrants make up 6.4 percent of the state’s population and contributed more than $7.1 billion in taxes in 2014. That same year, their total income was $25.8 billion, or 7.2 percent of all earnings in the state.
“This report is encouraging and supportive of research already underway within the Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania Department of State Secretary Pedro A. Cortés. “New Pennsylvanians have contributed greatly to the communities and quality of life in Pennsylvania. I look forward to continuing this work through the partnership with NAE and other organizations, with an eye toward economic, civic, and workforce growth.”
Immigrants in Pennsylvania contribute to key industries, such as crop production, computer systems design and services, motor vehicles, and pharmaceuticals and medicines. They make up slightly more than 10 percent of all entrepreneurs in the state and play a large role in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, a major component of U.S. economic growth. These and other key statistics on immigrants in Pennsylvania can be found in NAE’s report here.
The Reason for Reform campaign is launching in all 50 states today to urge Congress to take action on immigration reform. More information can be found at www.RenewOurEconomy.org.
