Established in 1849, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania is located between Pittsburgh, PA; Erie, PA; Cleveland, OH; and between New York, NY; and Chicago, IL, along the PA / OH border. Our county seat, New Castle, serves as the epicenter for a trade area of one million residents.
Lawrence County is home to approximately 90,000 residents and is a transportation mecca. Interstates 76, 79, and 376 cross the county, and Interstate 80 runs along the county’s northern border. New Castle, located in the County’s center, is 43 miles north of the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and 103 miles east by southeast of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Two Class 1 and two Class 2 railroads provide service to our businesses.
In 2017, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence County Chamber Foundation, and the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation merged together to create the Lawrence County Regional Chamber of Commerce (LCRCC). The oldest entity of the three is the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. Prior to the merger, the LCRCC was D/B/A the Greater New Castle Chamber of Commerce, founded around 1904. Today, while all three organizations are legally and financially separate, the Regional Chamber’s staff strives to work as a single entity focused on providing needed organized economic, community, and leadership development programs meant to create opportunities capable of transforming the lives of Lawrence County’s residents.
Our Combined Mission Statement:
To be the driving force enhancing economic growth and opportunity throughout Lawrence County while serving as the voice of business and industry and promoting excellence in leadership, collaboration, and development activities.
Vision Statement:
To transform the lives of Lawrence County’s citizens through the promotion and execution of a unified countywide plan by: raising the standard of living throughout Lawrence County; facilitating the creation and retention of jobs that pay family-sustaining wages; expanding the tax base of local governments so higher quality essential services may be provided; providing business and industry a voice by advocating for pro-growth public policies, and preparing promising leaders of tomorrow for business, government, and civic positions of responsibility.
Critical Goals and Scope of Work:
- Advance the Local and Regional Economy
- Attract, recruit, and retain new business and industry within Lawrence County
- Empower local companies to realize their full growth potential.
- Promote pro-growth and pro-business public policy to our local, state, and federal elected representatives.
- Work with Commonwealth, County, and municipal governments to expand infrastructure needed to promote orderly growth and development.
- Partner to promote economic development and environmental sustainability activities focused on redevelopment/reuse of brownfield sites.
- Ensure our membership has the greatest chance for business success.
- Ensure a strong and sustainable organization capable of maintaining and expanding programming opportunities.
- Connect our membership to the resources they need to succeed, including clients, capital, talent, and critical information.
- Work with our partners to collaboratively market our county, our region, and the businesses that operate within its borders.
- Advocate locally and beyond for the needs of our membership and partners.
- Provide data to our membership on ever-changing market trends and continuing education and development opportunities to further advance their skills and abilities.
- Develop Attract and Retain Qualified Talent
- Work with government leaders to develop talent related incentives.
- Collaborate with partners and education institutions to ensure necessary programming is offered in Lawrence County that reflects workforce needs.
- Provide educational programing in civic leadership to ensure an adequate supply of prepared and knowledgeable leaders in Lawrence County.
- Collaborate with partners to ensure necessary amenities are maintained and developed to attract top talent.
- Work with partners and developers to increase the availability of quality market rate housing in Lawrence County.