Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation

06/22/2026

Big things are happening in Cumberland County and we want you to be part of the celebration! This month, we're proud to recognize two ribbon cutting ceremonies marking exciting new chapters for local businesses.

✂️ Midway Bowl | Renovation Ribbon Cutting
📅 Thursday, June 25 | 6:00 PM
Midway Bowl is turning a new page with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of their recent renovations. This revitalization was made possible with the support of Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation, and we're thrilled to see this community staple refreshed and ready for what's ahead. Come out to tour the new space, offer your congratulations, and celebrate this milestone together.

➡️ Register here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/s90fTCf8tegyda1C3UfR

✂️ Moon Bird Distilling | Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
📅 Monday, June 29 | 4:00 PM
Moon Bird Distilling is officially opening their doors, bringing a craft spirits experience to Cumberland County with an impressive lineup of house-made gins, whiskeys, and premium vodkas. And if that is not enough to get you through the door, they have also added a wood-fired pizza oven to the mix. Moon Bird Distilling mixed CAEDC's funding and financing programs in partnership with Orrstown Bank to create Carlisle's newest craft distillery.

➡️ Register here:
https://business.carlislechamber.org/events/details/ribbon-cutting-moon-bird-distilling-5247678?calendarMonth=2026-06-01

06/18/2026

From family farm to agritourism destination, Destiny Dairy Bar is a shining example of entrepreneurial vision and community impact in Cumberland County, PA.

Owner Amy Brickner returned to her family's preserved dairy farm in 2006 with a passion for agriculture and connecting people to where their food comes from. What started with a pasteurizer and a dream in 2020 is now a thriving farm-based business welcoming thousands of visitors each year, with nearly 70% growth in transactions between 2023 and 2025.

With support from CAEDC's Tourism Product Development Grant, Destiny Dairy Bar received $152,777 to expand its visitor infrastructure, including a food trailer, covered event structure, and an accessible walkway to the calf barn, making the experience more welcoming for families, older adults, and guests with mobility challenges.

Amy's story is a reminder that agriculture and economic development go hand in hand. We're proud to support businesses that preserve Cumberland County's agricultural heritage while building something new for future generations.

🔗 Read the full story:

When Amy Brickner returned home to her family’s preserved dairy farm in 2006, she knew she wanted to continue a farming tradition that had shaped her life. What she didn’t...

06/15/2026

Are you prepared for the insurance trends impacting businesses today?

Join CAEDC and McConkey Insurance & Benefits on August 19th for a Lunch & Learn exploring the latest developments in the insurance market, what they mean for your organization, and actionable steps you can take to stay ahead of potential risks.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow business leaders. Register today using the link below ⬇️

www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-top-insurance-trends-impacting-your-business-tickets-1990786975434?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

06/09/2026

CAEDC is pleased to share that the Real Estate Collaborative, a subsidiary of CAEDC, has been awarded $750,000 through Pennsylvania's Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) to advance environmental remediation at the former Frog, Switch & Manufacturing Company site in Carlisle.

The ISRP loan is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Program.

This funding will support critical cleanup activities, including excavation, hazardous material disposal, soil remediation, and environmental testing, helping prepare the 17-acre former industrial property for future mixed-use development.

The Frog Switch site represents a significant redevelopment opportunity for Carlisle and Cumberland County. By transforming a long-standing brownfield into a shovel-ready site, this project will help attract investment, create new opportunities for growth, and support a vibrant future for the community.

“Cleaning up and transforming former industrial sites creates stronger and healthier communities, and new opportunities for growth,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “This ISRP investment will turn an abandoned manufacturing plant in Carlisle into a space that better services the needs of the community. The Shapiro Administration will continue to support local revitalization, spur economic development, address public health and safety, and provide new opportunities for communities across Pennsylvania.”

This award builds on the previous $10.2 million PA SITES investment secured for the project and reflects the importance of partnerships between state and local organizations working toward economic revitalization.

Learn more here ⬇️

Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) provides services and resources to assist area businesses through all stages of growth.

06/08/2026

Supporting our local business community means sharing resources when they matter most. That's why we're highlighting a new U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance opportunity for eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the freeze that occurred April 19-21.

Businesses and nonprofits in Cumberland County may qualify for financial assistance to help cover working capital needs, including payroll, fixed debts, accounts payable, and other operating expenses affected by disaster-related economic losses, even if there was no physical damage to the business.

Key details:
✅ Loans up to $2 million
✅ Interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits
✅ Terms up to 30 years
✅ No interest accrual or payments due for the first 12 months after disbursement

📅 Application deadline: January 26, 2027

To learn more and apply, visit SBA.gov/disaster or contact the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

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05/27/2026

The CAEDC team had the opportunity to join Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro for a memorable hike along the Appalachian Trail as part of her mission to walk all 229 miles of the trail in Pennsylvania.

Our group began at Scott Farm and hiked 10 miles from Carlisle to Boiling Springs alongside partners from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

It was an incredible day highlighting the natural beauty of Cumberland Valley, the importance of outdoor recreation, and the partnerships that help preserve and promote these community assets. Experiences like this showcase how our region’s trails, parks, and outdoor spaces contribute not only to quality of life, but also to tourism and economic vitality across Pennsylvania.

Thank you to First Lady Lori Shapiro, PADCNR, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for highlighting the value of Pennsylvania’s outdoor spaces and the communities connected by them.

Special thanks to the Pennsylvania State Police for their support and es**rt throughout the hike.

05/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the launch of our 2026 Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail! Attendees were treated to a sweet scoop of ice cream from Faye's Ice Cream Parlor.

Sprinkle on the fun this summer by signing up for the free digital passport, checking in at participating spots, and scooping your way toward prizes. This promotion runs from May 21 through September 8.

Click the link below to learn more & download your free passport 🍦
www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/cumberland-valley-ice-cream-trail/

05/18/2026

We are excited to welcome Lia to the team this summer at CAEDC! 👏

Lia is from Camp Hill and graduated from Camp Hill High School in 2025. She is currently an incoming sophomore at Georgetown University, where she is studying economics and exploring a future career at the intersection of business, economic development, and public policy.

Lia joined CAEDC to gain hands-on experience in economic development and to contribute to the community she grew up in. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the impact she will make this summer!

Last week, Lia and Griffin visited Ark Fitness, a local business that CAEDC has previously assisted through funding support. It was great for her to see firsthand how local partnerships and economic development efforts continue to help businesses grow and thrive in our region.

We’re excited for a productive summer ahead and are proud to support the next generation of economic development leaders!

05/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the Spring Networking Event at Ever Grain Brewing Co.!

It was a great evening filled with meaningful conversations, new connections, and collaboration among our community members. The room was full, the energy was high, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to strengthen relationships across our business community.

Events like these remind us how valuable strong professional relationships are to the continued growth and success of our region. We look forward to seeing everyone again at a future event!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Greg on graduating from Leadership Cumberland this morning! 🎉

At CAEDC, we’re proud to support professional and community leadership development through programs like Leadership Cumberland. Each year, we invest in an employee’s participation because strong leadership helps strengthen our organization, our partnerships, and our region.

Over the past several months, Greg has had the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals across Cumberland County, gain deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities facing our community, and further develop his leadership skills.