Lisa Riggs, a former president of both the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball club, and the former James Street Improvement District, was named president today of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (EDC).

“Lisa’s experience in leading economic and community development make her the optimal choice to continue our tradition of promoting business development and expansion,” said John Cox, Chairman of the EDC Board of Directors, and President of Turkey Hill Dairy.

A private, not-for-profit organization, EDC brings together business resources, capital, and government to support sustainable economic growth in Lancaster County’s commercial, industrial and agricultural communities. Along with its sister organization, EDC Finance Corporation, EDC actively works with community development and urban investment projects. It markets aggressively to retain existing, and attract new, business to the region.

Riggs most recently was assisting the City of Lancaster with development of its City Revitalization & Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, a complex and unique state-funded program aimed at stimulating an estimated $210 million in economic development over 130 urban acres.

Prior to that, Riggs served as president of the Lancaster Barnstormers from May 2012 to October 2013. She oversaw all aspects of the organization’s operations, including a 70-game baseball schedule and non-game-day events at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Before leading the Barnstormers, Riggs joined the James Street Investment District (JSID) in March 2003, and served nine years as its first president. A not-for-profit community organization that strengthened neighborhoods and fostered economic development in the city’s downtown and northwest, it is known today as the Lancaster City Alliance. Riggs and JSID played key roles in the completion of Clipper Magazine Stadium, revitalization of neighborhoods between JSID founders Lancaster General Health and Franklin & Marshall College, and redevelopment of the former Armstrong World Industries flooring plant in the city’s northwest.

A tenacious and energetic coalition builder of business leaders, elected officials and community leaders, Riggs was Vice President of Economic Development for seven years for the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore before joining the JSID.

Riggs, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, will join EDC on July 14. She will also serve as President of EDC Finance Corp.

The EDC board thanked John Biemiller, EDC’s Executive Vice President, for serving as EDC’s interim leader following the departure of former President David Nikoloff in January. Biemiller will continue serving as EDC’s EVP.

“John provided essential leadership during a transitional time for EDC,” Cox said. “His experience managing the daily operations at EDC and EDC Finance, and its various economic development projects, ensured both organizations never skipped a beat.”