Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is the lead Economic Development Organization (EDO) and official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) in Cumberland County (Valley). As a DMO, CAEDC promotes Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attracts visitors to the area, enhances the visitor’s experience, and encourages and promotes overnight stays. Destination marketing efforts are funded by a county lodging tax that is assessed on each overnight stay in Cumberland Valley. CAEDC’s Tourism Infrastructure Loan Fund (TILF) is used to stimulate tourism investment in Cumberland County and to address tourism infrastructure challenges. CAEDC also offers a variety of Tourism-Specific Grant Programs.

If you have questions about the program or need guidance on an open project, please contact Greg Welker, Economic Development Director, at 717-240-7182 or [email protected].

TILF Guidelines

What the TILF Program Can Finance

  • Land and Building Acquisition
  • Machinery and Equipment
  • Site Preparation and Testing
  • New Construction, Renovation, and Related Engineering

Who Can Borrow

  • Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:
  • locate or be located in Cumberland County, PA;
  • be a for-profit, not-for-profit enterprise, or governmental enterprise;
  • be applying for financing for a non-retroactive project; or
  • be considered a Hospitality Enterprise (as defined by CAEDC) in good standing; including:
    • hotel, motel, short-term rental, or other lodging facilities including bed & breakfast;
    • tourism attraction;
    • outdoor recreation trail or resource;
    • meeting venue or sporting facilities; or
    • visitor amenities including restaurants, shops, spas and other “add-on” experiences.
    • Development and redevelopment of areas with tourism potential (ex: Trail Towns, waterfront development, etc.) may also be considered.

CAEDC Loan Limits

  • $20,000 – $150,000
  • CAEDC investment capped at 50% of total project cost, or $150,000 – whichever is less.

CAEDC Loan Terms

  • Interest rates are 4% below federal prime rate or 2%, whichever is higher, fixed for the life of the loan.
  • 1% origination fee, half due upon execution of financing commitment letter, half due at closing. Annual servicing fees of 0.5% of the outstanding principal.
  • No prepayment penalties.
  • Land/Building – up to 10 years
  • Machinery/Equipment – up to 7 years, or the useful life of equipment, whichever is less.

Past TILF Projects

Wolf Brewing Company (2021) – $100,000 – Creation of a 7,000 square-foot brewery and taproom in Mechanicsburg.

Watershed Pub (2019) – $100,000 – Creation of a restaurant and tasting room with outdoor seating in downtown Camp Hill.

Pat Craig Studios (2016) – $50,000 – Creation of The Pond; three floors of commercial retail and studio space, an exhibit space and courtyard.

Comfort Suites Carlisle (2014) – $203,000 – Renovations and updates to the 105-room hotel.

Rich Valley Golf (2013) – $50,000 – Addition of a mini golf course to their existing facility.