The Collegeville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) was established in June 2003 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in March 2004. The CEDC was created by members of Ursinus College, Collegeville Borough Council and the local community.
- 2003 – CEDC formed. Hired Ginny Simon part-time as first Main Street Manager. Initial funding was provided by Ursinus College and Collegeville Borough. Ursinus College provided a Main Street office, and a basic website and newsletter were created.
- 2004 – Established Collegeville’s first Main Street program. The original focus was on Main Street from the Perkiomen Bridge to Ursinus College.
- 2007 – Became a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Main Street Program.
- 2008 – Received an official Main Street Designation and funding from the DCED as well as a generous donation from Wyeth Corporation.
- 2009 – Hired Linda Flederback as the first full-time Main Street Manager. A former Main Street Manager in Boyertown, Linda served until 2012.
- 2010 – Hired the JGSC Group to conduct surveys of businesses, residents and Ursinus College students and develop a market analysis of the types of businesses the town desired and would support.
- 2011 – Started Collegeville’s first Farmers’ Market with over 20 vendors. The market continued through 2015.
- 2012 – Hired Rachael Morrison as the third Main Street Manager. Expanded our business focus to include all the business districts in the borough
- 2012 – Began the first of our annual promotions and events averaging 10 to 12 family-friendly events a year, including: Community Day, Dinner & a Show, Colossal Collegeville Yard Sale, the Collegeville tree lighting and visit from Santa and more.
- 2013 – Assumed responsibility for the Collegeville Trappe Memorial Day Parade.
- 2018 – Expanded our events programming with Ursinus College to assist with their campus as a destination effort.
- 2018 – Began work with the Borough’s Business Development Committee to promote its revitalization efforts in the borough.
Due to the end of the Main Street grant and other local funding in 2015, the CEDC could no longer pay for a full-time manager and became an all volunteer organization. With the work of dedicated volunteers, and the donations of the regional community and businesses, the CEDC continues its work.