Williamsport, like a handful of other small Pennsylvania cities, has been experiencing somewhat of a renaissance in recent years. This picturesque city nestled in the heart of Central PA saw more than $300 million in economic development in 2008, with palpable results in the form of crime reduction and a resurgent downtown.

In fact, 2008 was a big year for Williamsport, with a new, eight-screen movie theater opening downtown, the completion of the Market Street Bridge over the West Branch Susquehanna River, and the introduction of "First Fridays" to downtown, during which businesses, restaurants and shops display local photography and artwork, often with live music, to draw foot traffic downtown.

In addition to these developments, Williamsport has seen an increase in entrepreneurial activity in recent years, helped along by the Williamsport/Lycoming Keystone Innovation Zone, a state program that assists local entrepreneurs and startups focused on manufacturing or information technology.