The Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the National Watch and Clock Museum, 514 Poplar St., Columbia. The doors to the museum will open at 6 p.m., at which time members and guests may network and socialize. Supper and drinks will also be available. The meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m.

Keith Lutz, CEDC president, will preside over the meeting, and executive director Bill Kloidt will present a month-by-month activity report for 2023. The event will also feature a list of goals for the next year.

After Kloidt's report, attendees will be addressed by John W. Biemiller, director of business retention and expansion for the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (EDC), who will discuss economic development activity in Lancaster County. Biemiller has worked for EDC for more than 30 years, helping to build the organization from two people trying to attract new businesses to locate in Lancaster County into a 15-person operation focused on helping local companies invest and thrive here. He was also instrumental in developing the EDC Finance Corporation into the nonprofit economic development lending entity it is today. In his roles at EDC, Biemiller has worked with a variety of companies interested in locating new facilities in Lancaster and provided low-cost financing for numerous growing businesses and farmers. He also manages EDC's outward facing business retention and expansion visitation program. Outside of EDC, John serves on the board and is treasurer at Brethren Village; serves on the executive committee and is treasurer of the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board; and serves on the administrative team and is treasurer at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church. John is married to Jennifer and has four children.

The Columbia businesses that received business grants in the past year will also be recognized during the meeting. These businesses include Lancaster Distillers, Columbia School of Music, Homestead Craftsman, Axel Mechanical, Golden Whisk, and Shertzer Enterprises.

The CEDC Director of the Year will be recognized. The executive committee for 2024 will be confirmed by the board, and the next class of directors will be approved for a three-year term.

All members of the CEDC are invited to attend the meeting free of charge. The main sponsor for the event is the National Watch and Clock Museum.

For more information, call Kloidt at 717-201-5134.