Abstract
The Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania (EDCNP) was formed in 1964 by business leaders who saw the need for regional approaches to economic development to supplement the work of existing organizations such as chambers of commerce and local industrial development groups. The EDCNP is one of the largest, most active, and most successful organizations today. Its activities include administering revolving loan funds, operating industrial programs, providing procurement opportunities, participating in the Ben Franklin Partnership, energy preservation, and stimulation purchase of locally produced goods. The author suggests that one reason for the success of EDCNP is an organizational structure that provides the opportunity for broad regional participation in setting economic development goals and strategies for the region, and for developing regional consensus around the issues.
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