York, Pa. (March 5, 2026) — Tec Centro Workforce Network, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), convened federal agency leaders and regional workforce executives today at Tec Centro York for a site visit and multi-agency roundtable focused on advancing workforce development and economic opportunity across Pennsylvania communities.
The convening brought together representatives from multiple federal agencies alongside leadership from Tec Centro centers across the Commonwealth. The event was designed to foster direct dialogue between federal partners and community-based workforce leaders on what is working, where gaps remain, and how collaborative investment can drive long-term economic stability.
The visit began with a guided tour of Tec Centro York, offering federal partners a firsthand look at the organization’s integrated model, which connects skills training, employer demand, and supportive services. Participants then engaged in a working session featuring brief presentations from Tec Centro’s nine regional centers, followed by a facilitated roundtable discussion.
The roundtable, which began at 1:30 PM, focused on key topics including economic and community revitalization, federal workforce and housing tools such as Section 108 financing and Opportunity Zones, and the alignment of federal, state, and local strategies to expand access to career pathways.
“This was an incredible opportunity for our team and for York County,” said AliceAnne Frost, Executive Director of Tec Centro York. “Welcoming federal leaders into our space and showing how this work comes to life every day reinforces what is possible when workforce development is rooted in community needs and aligned with real opportunity.”
Carlos Graupera, President and CEO of Tec Centro Workforce Network, added, “This convening was about more than showcasing our work. It was about strengthening alignment between local impact and federal strategy. When those two things connect, we create real pathways for individuals and real momentum for communities.
“Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Turner, HUD is driving strategic investments that deliver measurable economic impact nationwide,” said Joseph DeFelice, Assistant Deputy Secretary/Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator at HUD. “By aligning federal resources, like workforce development, housing programs, and Opportunity Zones, with local innovation, we are expanding opportunity, strengthening regional economies, and creating jobs that lift up families and businesses.”
Leadership from Tec Centro centers across Berks, Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Philadelphia, and York counties participated in the convening, reflecting the strength and scale of the organization’s regional network.
Federal agencies represented included the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The visit concluded with a tour of Tec Centro York’s new facility, further highlighting the organization’s continued growth and investment in expanding access to workforce training and career pathways.
This convening underscores the critical role of community-based workforce systems in supporting individuals, strengthening families, and driving regional economic growth.
https://www.cpbj.com/york-roundtable-held-to-advance-workforce-development
