Project Funding Opportunity
The Northwest Commission is pleased to once again make available $100,000 for regional projects.  Eligible projects should be multi-county in scope and show economic impact.

Applications are due August 31, 2007 and applicants are required to make presentations to the Economic Development Committee in September 2007.    Award notification will take place in early October.  If interested in receiving an application, please contact Ned Goucher at 814.677.4800, ext. 108.

Assisting Conneaut Lake Park
During the Northwest Commission Board of Directors’ meeting on August 3, the Board unanimously agreed to provide a 10 year, no interest loan to Conneaut Lake Park in the amount of $30,000.  This bridge loan will provide operational costs and buy some time for the 15 member board of trustees to start working toward an operational plan for the Park.

Cutting Back on Energy Consumption
The Northwest Commission is taking part in a statewide energy efficiency initiative.  Funding for this program is being provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Department of Community & Economic Development.   The program is geared toward local governments, schools and hospitals, and the Commission’s role is to assist them in reducing operating costs and energy consumption through education, training and service delivery focused on conventional energy demand reduction.    The Northwest Commission will be creating a regional Energy Advisory Council consisting of energy experts and organizations involved with energy efficiency.  If you are interested in learning more about the Energy Program, please contact Valerie Hearn  at 814.677.4800, ext. 124.

Sincerely,
 

In July the Northwest Commission closed two loans:

1.    A $106,500 USDA - RBEG loan closed for Shorts Tool & Mfg., Inc. of Crawford County.  The loan was used to purchase two new CNC machines.  One full time job will be created and 12 jobs will be retained.

2.    A $125,000 ARC/RLF loan closed for Clarion Cabinetry, Inc. of Clarion County.  The loan was used to purchase the assets of Clarion County Cabinetry.  Five full time jobs will be retained and one full time job will be created within three years.

The loan Committee approved three loans in July:  Main Event Sports Bar and Restaurant of Clarion County; Shannon Irwin of Crawford County; and Diversified Manufacturing Systems, Inc. of Erie County.

August 23^rd: “Enhance Your Web Presence Through Search Marketing” 8 a.m. - Noon at the Quality Inn and Conference Center 1411 Liberty Street, Franklin. There is a cost of $30 for this event, which is being offered by the Clarion Small Business Development Center.  Click here for the “Enhance Your Web Presence Through Search Marketing” flyer.  Contact Ethel Rodebaugh at ethelr@nwcommission.org or call: (814) 677-4800 x113 for additional information.

Please click here for a list of more upcoming events!
 

Resource Spotlight:  SBA’s SUB – Net
Looking for subcontracting opportunities?  The SBA’s SUB-Net is a great starting point.  Prime contractors use SUB-Net to post subcontracting opportunities.  These may or may not be reserved for small business, and they may include either solicitations or other notices -- for example, notices of sources sought for teaming partners and subcontractors on future contracts.  Businesses can review this web site to identify opportunities in their areas of expertise.  While the web site is designed primarily as a place for large businesses to post solicitations and notices, it is also used by Federal agencies, state and local Governments, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and even foreign Governments for the same purpose.  Please visit their website at http://web.sba.gov/subnet.

Upcoming Events:

September 5^th and 6^th: Government 101 Training
The topic for this training session is “Wide Area Workflow (WAWF).” The Federal government is in the process of transitioning its vendor payment system from a paper system to an electronic system and we have arranged for a representative from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to come to our area and provide training on this program to local businesses.  The one day training class will be at the Computer Lab at the Franklin Industrial & Commercial Development Authority located at 191 Howard St, Franklin (directions are available via their website, www.FIDCA.org).  The Computer Lab has 11 computers and can also accommodate an additional 8 wireless capable laptops.  The Northwest Commission will also provide a continental breakfast and lunch at the FIDCA.  There is no cost for this event, however, seating is limited and registration is required.  Please register by Aug. 23 by contacting Lori Moore at (814) 677-4800, ext 104 or by email lorimo@nwcommission.org and specify which day of the training you will be attending and if you will be bringing a laptop. 

October, 2007:  Federal /Government Procurement Seminar
The Northwest PA PTAC is working with U.S. Congressman Phil English in planning and co-hosting a daylong federal government procurement seminar.  The date for this event is Monday, October 29.  We will post additional information about this event on our website as new details become available.

Join us for a trade mission to Venezuela and Colombia!

November 12 – 16, 2007
Are you aware that U.S. exports have been booming in Colombia and Venezuela over the last few years? In 2006, Colombia and Venezuela were included in the U.S. five-largest export markets in the Western Hemisphere behind Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Colombia has become one of the most optimistic, stable and recovering economies in the region. On February 28, 2006, the United States concluded bilateral free trade agreement negotiations with Colombia. Venezuela’s economy has been growing steadily at about 9%. For many years, Venezuela has consistently placed among the top U.S. export markets. The country’s need for capital goods, particularly in the energy sector, led to year-on-year increases. The objective of this trade mission is to introduce Pennsylvania companies to prospective customers (distributors, public and private buying agents, and other business partners) in these countries, to increase their market potential and to meet top-level decision makers. The mission will focus on identifying opportunities for sales and will additionally seek to acquaint Pennsylvania companies with the local market environments for different industries, facilitating their ability to effectively introduce their products to these markets. Business meetings will be arranged under the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service in Venezuela and the AMCHAM in Colombia. For additional information please contact Claudia Garcia.

Pennsylvania’s Annual International Week

September 12 and 13, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie
Pennsylvania’s international representatives from 18 countries around the globe will be traveling to northwest Pennsylvania to meet with regional companies one-on-one on September 13. Benefit from meeting face-to-face with Pennsylvania’s trade representatives to discuss your market potential for your product or services in a particular country, know your competition, or find key contacts such as agents/distributors. Gain a competitive edge in your industry by taking advantage of this free service! Also, please join us for a relaxed and fun evening welcome reception on Sept. 12 for the State’s foreign trade representatives at the new Bayfront Convention Center, Erie! Enjoy the multi-cultural atmosphere and meet with people from around the world!

Please click here for the registration form. Deadline to register is Aug. 24!

Act 44 of 2007 (House Bill 1590) regarding the tolling of Interstate 80 was signed into law and information released on July 18th. Projected statewide revenue for fiscal year 2007-08 is $750 million. The proposed breakdown is as follows: highway and bridge projects at $450 million and mass transit at $300 million.  The legislation also directs PennDOT to enter into a 50-year lease agreement with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) for the leasing of I80 to the PTC. 

As a result of this legislation, the Northwest Commission RPO, which serves Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango and Warren counties, will receive an additional $9,228,000 for highway and bridge projects in fiscal year 2007-08.

The State Transportation Commission Hearing for northwest Pennsylvania has been scheduled for Thursday, August 30, 2007. The Hearing will take place at the Hickory VFW Post 6166 and Normandy Banquet Center 5550 East State Street in Hermitage beginning at 8:30 AM.

Donald T. Iannone & Associates has developed a draft Transportation & Land Use for Economic Development Regional Action Plan (RAP) which was reviewed at a Steering Committee meeting on August 8, 2007.  A copy of the draft plan can be found on our website at http://www.nwcommission.org/transportation.html.
 

Upcoming LTAP Courses:

August 23, 2007 (8 AM – Noon) – Equipment and Worker Safety, Vernon Twp. (Crawford County)

September 27, 2007 (8 AM – 4 PM) – Winter Maintenance, Vernon Twp. (Crawford County)

To register, please contact Matt Gilara (814) 677-4800 x102 or by email at mattg@nwcommission.org. You may also register for these courses online at https://www.ltap.state.pa.us
 

The Northwest Commission is researching funding options for creating digital parcels in Clarion, Crawford, Forest, and Venango County.  This potential project is in the very early stages and Commission staff have been working with individuals from each of the aforementioned counties to get input and direction. 

Northwest Commission staff created a Biking Map for the Pennsylvania Great Lake Tourism Region.  The map will display the main biking routes in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Venango Counties.  An Erie County Motorcycle Guide map was also created and can be viewed at http://www.roarontheshore.com/scenic_rides.html

Please visit the Neighborhood GIS by going to www.nwneighborhoodgis.com.  The Neighborhood GIS site is an interactive mapping web site that is available to all 265 local governments in northwest Pennsylvania.

Please contact Matt Gilara, GISP - Manager, Regional Planning at 814.677.4800 x102 or by e-mail at mattg@nwcommission.org if you have a desire to take GIS/GPS training or want a map created.