Pennsylvania significantly cut funding for the Department of
Community and Economic Development (DCED) in the Commonwealth's
2011/2012 budget. Overall, DCED experienced a 35 percent decrease
in funding-which will impact the availability of and result in
greater competition for economic incentive funds. Companies seeking
to take advantage of economic incentive programs should develop
targeted strategies that will set themselves apart from other
applicants.
Some DCED programs have been combined into a single economic
incentive program labeled "Pennsylvania First." The
purpose of the consolidation is to streamline operations and make
the programs more efficient. But the funding allocated to
Pennsylvania First represents more than a desire to make programs
more efficient-it also signals a sharp decline in the availability
of economic incentives themselves. For example, the Opportunity
Grant Program and the Infrastructure Development Program, two prior
programs that will
