Circuit Riders Initiative & Activities

Primary responsibility for municipal economic development planning assistance rests with the Senior Urban Planner.

The Urban Circuit Rider serves the City of Lancaster, and community development organizations that support the city; the Borough Circuit Rider serves the County's 18 borough's and economic development organizations.

The Circuit Riders build local capacity to prepare economic development strategies, to recognize economic development opportunities, to organize and secure resources to undertake economic development, and to complete economic and community development projects.

Together, the Circuit Riders:

(1) Provide technical assistance;

(2) Build local capacity to implement the community and economic recommendations of municipal comprehensive plans;

(3) Leverage public and private funds toward community-based redevelopment strategies;

(4) Assist in the development of downtown revitalization strategies;

(5) Identify the economic development impact of proposed plans and ordinances;

(6) Retain existing businesses;

(7) Support business start-ups, and expansions;

(8) Coordinate access to low cost financing for small businesses;

(9) Identify and structure economic development projects; and

(10) Identify housing and economic development financing strategies.

(11) Assist in the preparation of applications to various funding sources.