On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Technology Council of Central PA (TCCP) facilitated an important milestone conversation for our region — the Central Pennsylvania Digital Economy Workshop. Bringing together more than 20 public-sector leaders, association partners, and regional stakeholders, the session focused on exploring a collaborative, practical approach to advancing technology modernization across Central Pennsylvania.

Why This Conversation Matters Now

Local and regional governments across Central PA face growing pressure to modernize aging technology systems while navigating limited budgets, staffing constraints, and evolving cybersecurity risks. At the same time, emerging opportunities in digital services, broadband expansion, data analytics, and secure technology platforms offer powerful tools to improve efficiency, strengthen service delivery, and drive economic outcomes.

Too often, communities pursue these efforts independently, resulting in duplicated work, uneven progress, and missed opportunities to scale solutions that are already proving successful elsewhere. The Central Pennsylvania Digital Economy Workshop created space for leaders to step back, share perspectives, and explore what regional collaboration could look like in practice.

A Collaborative, Practical Approach

The workshop was designed around a simple but powerful premise: collaboration should support — not replace — local decision-making. Participants explored how a regional approach could help governments learn from peers, better understand proven technologies, reduce risk through shared knowledge, and improve readiness to engage with state and federal programs.

Importantly, the initiative is envisioned as vendor-neutral, implementation-focused, and inclusive of communities of all sizes and resources. It is not intended to serve as a sales forum, regulatory body, or replacement for existing associations — but rather as a collaborative framework that strengthens local capacity and confidence.

Promising Engagement and Early Momentum

More than 20 individuals came to the table for this important conversation, and the results were incredibly promising. Participants demonstrated strong engagement and a shared interest in exploring a coordinated, regionally driven approach to digital modernization.

This workshop represents an exciting milestone for TCCP as we continue expanding our support and collaboration within the public sector. Facilitating conversations that bring diverse stakeholders together around shared challenges and opportunities is core to our mission, and we are encouraged by the momentum already building around this effort.

Gratitude to Our Partners

We extend sincere thanks to Eric Rensel of Rensel Consulting — who also leads TCCP’s SPARK Committee — for coordinating and helping shape this important event. We are equally grateful to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) for hosting the workshop and providing a welcoming space for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The February 12 workshop marked an important starting point. Participants worked to confirm shared interest, align on guiding principles, and identify potential next steps toward launching a regional collaboration later in 2026.

TCCP is excited to remain actively involved in supporting this initiative as it continues to evolve. By working together across organizations and communities, Central Pennsylvania has an opportunity to build a stronger, more connected digital economy — one that reflects local realities while positioning our region for future success.