Many cities and towns face the challenge of recruiting and keeping businesses in their regions to help fuel economic growth.

About 70 economic development executives from throughout the Keystone State learned the keys to successfully recruiting companies to their regions at an economic development seminar sponsored by PPL Corporation on July 13 in Harrisburg.

“For PPL, developing and strengthening the communities we serve is a top priority,” said Don Bernhard, manager of community and economic development for PPL. “One way we can contribute to a strong and healthy economy is by giving communities the tools they need to effectively address the economic development priorities of their regions.”

The seminar’s keynote speaker, Dennis J. Donovan of Wadley-Donovan-Gutshaw Consulting, has been advising corporations on office and industrial facilities locations for 33 years. He offered his insights on recruitment trends, development strategies and methods for how Pennsylvania’s cities can stay competitive in today’s increasingly global market.

His remarks highlighted the importance of communities working together in a regional approach to attract companies and new jobs.

Attendees of the seminar, held at Harrisburg Area Community College, also learned about deregulation of the electric utility industry and how that affects electricity prices and regional economic development.

“PPL has a long track record of excellence in promoting regional cooperation,” said Teri MacBride, executive director of economic development marketing at the Department of Community and Economic Development in Harrisburg. “Workshops like this give us an opportunity to learn from national and international experts like Dennis Donovan and to share the latest news about the good things happening throughout the state.”

The seminar was one of three sponsored by PPL throughout the year as part of the company’s ongoing support of initiatives to bring new jobs and development opportunities to Pennsylvania communities. The next seminar will be held in September.

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls more than 11,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to more than 4 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.