About Us

What is BEDCo?

The Barrett Economic Development Corporation (BEDCo) is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It was founded in April of 2025 by Barrett residents to help the Barrett community. Our mission is to strengthen and support the Barrett community by enhancing the local economy and the economic opportunities of town residents. BEDCo is one of many economic development corporations in Pennsylvania that bring together residents, businesses and government officials to strengthen the local business environment and improve the quality of life for everyone.

Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, economic development corporations have facilitated the revitalization of communities such as Hawley, Honesdale and Wilkes Barre. Our aspiration is to build on the many strengths of Barrett Township to make the community an even better place to live, work and play.

Why was BEDCo established?

BEDCo was founded to address long-standing concerns in Barrett Township about the health and vitality of the local economy and the proliferation of neglected properties in the community. The founders of the organization, Michael Allegretti, Karl Weiler and the late Karl Stearns, regularly attended meetings of the Board of Supervisors to engage township officials, business and property owners, and many town residents about ideas to address these concerns. A consensus emerged that it would be beneficial to form a community-based nonprofit organization to focus on economic development initiatives.

What are BEDCo’s goals?

BEDCo has five main goals:

• Advocate for the completion of the buildout of the Barrett Administration and Recreation Complex (BARC)
• Support the revitalization of the Four Corners of Canadensis
• Support existing businesses and attract new ones
• Enhance the Route 390 corridor as a commercial district
• Advocate for township policies that promote the fair and equal enforcement of building code and short-term rental regulations

How will BEDCo achieve these goals?

BEDCo’s Board of Directors has created a five-year strategic plan to fulfill its mission. This detailed, comprehensive plan consists of 22 programmatic and operational goals, 80 initiatives, and 219 action items sequenced over five years from 2026-2030. It shows the start and completion date for each action item, quarter by quarter, each year, and includes information about the entity or individual responsible for each initiative and action item, the cost, the facilities needed, and notes related regarding implementation.

The strategic plan illustrates the path for BEDCo to achieve its five program goals and to build its organizational capacity to pursue these goals. It includes detailed information about how BEDCo will create systems for community engagement, communications, operations and finance. A summary report, which explains the key elements of our strategic plan, can be found on our website.

Who runs BEDCo?

As a nonprofit organization, BEDCo is managed by a Board of Directors. Six Barrett residents currently serve on the Board of Directors: Michael Allegretti, Sarah Aubrey, David Christine, Elliot Dee, Peter Pipolo and Karl Weiler. Biographies of each member of the Board of Directors can be found on our website.

In addition to the Board of Directors, the BEDCo team includes our Business Advisory Board and our Community Advisory Board. The Business Advisory Board consists of business and property owners in Barrett Township who represent the interests of the business community. The Community Advisory Board reflects the broad interests of town residents as a whole. Our team also includes dozens of community residents who support the organization as advocates, advisors and funders.

Who funds BEDCo?

BEDCo receives donations from Barrett Township residents. Dozens of families and individuals from all walks of life have chosen to support our work with a financial contribution. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization all donations made to BEDCo are eligible for a tax deduction. Donations from residents are vital to support our operations.

BEDCo does not receive and will not seek funding from any municipal entity in Barrett Township. In the future, BEDCO plans to apply for funding from state and federal sources such as the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. BEDCo aspires to bring tax dollars to our community, not to take tax dollars from Barrett residents. In addition, BEDCo plans to seek financial support from local foundations.

Who can be involved?

Any Barrett Township resident, property owner or business owner is welcome and encouraged to get involved in our work. Whether you are a fourth generation Barrett resident or someone who just opened a business here, we invite you to be a part of our team to make “Barrett Even Better.” Our volunteer team is instrumental to our ability to achieve our goals. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Business Advisory Board, Community Advisory Board, Finance Committee and Fundraising Committee.

Do you have an interest in one of our initiatives, such as the buildout of BARC or the revitalization of the Four Corners of Canadensis? Join us and take a seat at the table. To learn how, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator (who is also a volunteer), Sarah Kelly at sa***********@***il.com.