Columbia Economic Development Corporation Annual Meeting
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Join us on November 12, 2020
Pennsylvania State Senator Ryan Aument will be the keynote speaker at the Columbia Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020.
The meeting will be held at Columbia Crossing located at 41 Walnut Street. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. Due to the state mandate of indoor gatherings, only 25 invitees will be permitted to attend in person. Others who wish to attend can participate by Zoom.
The Event Schedule
The meeting will commence at 6:30 PM with an Invocation provided by Deacon Henry Reese of Holy Trinity Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz will make remarks, followed by CEDC President Keith Lutz who will review the activities of the Corporation over the past year, and will also present awards. Vice President Jeff Seibert will follow and present the slate of board members who will be nominated to serve for another 3 years. Senator Aument will then address the gathering on legislation pending in Harrisburg and opportunities for small businesses. The Senator will close out the evening with a question and answer period.
CEDC Executive Director Bill Kloidt will serve a Master of Ceremonies.
Businesses that wish to attend the meeting through Zoom must register by emailing columbiaedcorp@gmail.com. Call in instructions will then be emailed back to the business.
Sign up below for event details!
Keynote Speaker
Meet Ryan Aument
After two productive terms in the state House of Representatives, Senator Ryan P. Aument was selected by voters in November 2014 and again in November 2018 to represent northern Lancaster County residents in Pennsylvania’s 36th Senatorial District. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as part of the Senate Republican leadership team as Caucus Secretary, where he is responsible for leading the Senate’s review process of nominations for a variety of different Cabinet positions, as well as numerous boards and commissions.
Throughout his legislative career, Ryan has been a strong advocate for government transparency, accountability, and reform. As a state senator, Ryan played a key leadership role in establishing the Office of State Inspector General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through legislation signed by Governor Wolf as Act 29 of 2017, the Office of State Inspector General is tasked to “deter, detect, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, misconduct, and abuse in the programs, operations, and contracting of executive agencies.” Such an office helps to hold the executive branch and executive agencies accountable for their actions and decisions and allow for transparency and accountability. He also introduced legislation, signed into law by Governor Wolf as Act 160 of 2018, which promoted stronger restrictions and penalties on the misuse of the SNAP program across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
During his time as a Senator, Ryan has been proactive in establishing a government that is efficient and sustainable. He is currently participating as chairman of the Nuclear Energy Caucus to establish sustainable energy measures in both nuclear energy and other forms of energy. He previously served as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Ryan also supports transformation of legislative benefits to reflect those available in the private sector.
Before his election to the state House, Ryan served as the Lancaster County Clerk of Courts, where he was responsible for maintaining criminal court records. He gained insight into state government while serving as the chief of staff for Rep. Bryan Cutler. He also gained experience working with a legislative body as a member of the Quarryville Borough Council.
Ryan served as a captain in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, briefly commanding an infantry company of 150 soldiers after his company commander was wounded in action. He also served on battalion staff as a civil affairs officer. During his military career, Ryan earned several awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Parachutist Badge. After returning from Iraq, he applied the skills he learned in leading a unit as a shift manager and production supervisor for ICI Paints. He is a graduate of The Citadel military college in South Carolina.
Ryan resides in Mount Joy with his wife, Kate, and their children, Jack and June. He is a member of the Mountville VFW Post No. 8757, the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation, the Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, and Grace Church at Willow Valley.
Support Columbia EDC in November!
Who We Are
Founded in 2005, The Columbia Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) is a local not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to promoting business development and expansion within Columbia, Pennsylvania.
What We Do
The Columbia Economic Development Corporation works as a bridge between business, government and the community. We actively promote community development and encourage business investment within Columbia. We can help find a location for your business, assist in financing and work to fulfill your needs as a member of the business community.
