Frequent regional and state-wide travel comes with the territory as the Executive Director of the Northwest Commission, but it is a rare occasion that I get the opportunity for overnight travel in the eight-county region.  The ARC Summer Conference afforded me an extended stay in Erie during the last week in July, and I have to say, it’s easy to forget how many great activities and what beautiful scenery are available right here in the region.  If presented the opportunity, you should plan an overnight trip, maybe up to Lake Erie, or perhaps a camping facility along the river this summer.  Endless recreational opportunities abound, right in your own backyard! 

Project Funding Available
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, 2008.  If interested in receiving an application, please contact Ned Goucher.

Northwest Commission Wins a 2008 Excellence in Economic Development Award
The Northwest Commission won a 2008 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).  The winning entry, submitted for Responding to Globalization, included information on the commission’s International, Business Attraction, and Broadband Technology Programs.  The award will be presented to the Northwest Commission in October at the IEDC Annual Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Strategic Initiatives are Outlined
Every year, each Northwest Commission staff member is asked to come up with two initiatives that can be worked on throughout the coming year to determine if they will provide new, viable programs for the commission to expand upon.  These ideas are discussed in detail, and through a voting process, several of them are selected as actionable strategic initiatives for the coming year.  This year six were selected, which were then presented to the Board of Directors for development of action plans.  This year’s strategic initiatives are as follows:

• Eco-Tourism/Signage/PA Online

• Energy Efficiency Awareness

• Infrastructure Development

• Workforce Retention/Recruitment

• Business/Community Recycling Awareness

• GIS Asset Optimization

Annual Appalachian Regional Commission Summer Meeting Takes Place in Erie
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a federal funding source for the local development districts in Pennsylvania, held its annual summer meeting on July 29-31 in Erie, PA.  The meeting provided a unique opportunity to showcase the economic development efforts in the Northwest Commission’s region to over 80 individuals from 13 states.  The summer meeting schedule was rather intense, and those attending visited the Erie Technology Incubator at Gannon University, Union Station, the Warner Theater, Presque Isle, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and were able to experience the spectacular view from the new Bayfront Convention Center.  They also took a short boat tour of Lake Erie to see some of the industrial redevelopment along the coastline of the bay.

The group also received a guided tour of the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies.  This former charter school is a place where displaced and adjudicated youth from all over the state attend and learn life skills, and course curriculum in conjunction with maritime studies.  The youth participate in ship building and refurbishment, sailing, nautical and speed measurement, and biological studies of the waters.  They also get to sail the ships on which they worked.  Ten thousand youth from around the state of Pennsylvania have been assisted through the center over the past 10 years.  During the visit, ARC presented the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies with a check for $26,850 to  fund a maritime simulator.

We were so pleased to have the ARC members in our region for the action-packed summer meeting and were proud to showcase the northwest region!  Thank you to the Appalachian Development Center at DCED for bringing the meeting to our region.  It is our hope that many of the individuals will return to the northwest region for an extended stay!

Cheers!

Two Loans Closed – Three Loans Approved                  

In July the Northwest Commission closed two loans:

• Broncos Barbeque, LLC of Crawford County closed on a $20,000 Microloan to start up a barbeque restaurant. Since this is a Microloan, job creation is not required.
   

• Custom Tool & Design, Inc. of Erie County closed on a $200,000 EDA/RLF loan to purchase equipment.  Eight positions will be created within three years.

The Loan Committee approved three loans in July: 

• BiBo’s Ice Cream of Venango County

• Meadville Tool Grinding, Inc. of Crawford County

• Mom’s Wholesale Foods, Inc. of Lawrence County

Daryl Coyne was invited to First National Bank in Hermitage to make a presentation on the loan programs to their commercial lenders and branch managers. 

On July 8 the Commission had another of the Entrepreneur Training Series at Hoss’s in Cranberry. In this session the Commission had Nathaniel “Smitty” Boros present Family Business Succession Planning. Mr. Boros’ presentation helped the audience to understand the importance of planning for the future of the business as well as presenting the challenges associated with the decision and issues that arise when the decision is made. He spoke about the general considerations of balancing the business, the financials and the family. It is important to have a team of professionals assist with the decision as well as the transition and vital to have the final end in mind when making the decision. The seminar was very informative and the Commission appreciated Mr. Boros’ presentation. 

The loan application fee has been temporarily decreased from 2% (minimum $1,500, maximum $2,500) to a flat fee of $1,250.  The application fee will remain at $450 for loans of $50,000 or less.

Please click here to view a list of upcoming events available to small businesses in the area!
 

Upcoming Events:

Government 101 – On the Road in Lawrence County, Sept. 17
Conducted by the Northwest Commission, this introductory training provides an overview of how to do business with the Federal, State and Local governments.  This half-day event will be for any company who is looking to start working with, or would like to refresh their memories about, the sites and certifications of the federal and state procurement process.  Presenters from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of General Services (DGS), and COSTARS will be in attendance.  Topics such as set-asides, bid leads, registrations, and how to work through government opportunities are customized to attending companies for this half-day training event.  The Commission is taking  Government 101 “on the road” to better accommodate the companies within the region.  The September event will be held in Ellwood City on the second floor of the ESB Bank located at 600 Lawrence Ave, Ellwood City, PA 16117.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and presentations will start at 9 a.m.  For more information and to reserve your spot today, please contact Lori Kenyon at lorik@nwcommission.org or at 814-677-4800 x104. 

Please see the Calendar of Events for additional upcoming trainings!

Partner/Regional Upcoming Training Events:

Certification & Contractor Workshop - August 27, 2008
U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an 8(a), SBD and HUBZone Certification and Contracting workshop from 9am - 12pm at Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1st floor conference room, Pittsburgh (Northside).  It is free to the public.  MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend.  To register, contact Mary Ann Sperling at 412-395-6560 x107.

Procurement Opportunities Fair - October 22, 2008
The government Agency Coordination Office (GACO) of California University of Pennsylvania, along with Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania will be hosting a Procurement Opportunities Fair in Washington, PA.  The event  will take place at the Holiday Inn Meadowlands and will provide companies an opportunity to market their product or service to government agencies and prime vendors. Registration Fees: $35 prior to October 13th and $45 if payment is received after October13th.  For more information, please visit GACO’s Calendar of Events  page.
 

Pennsylvania International Week: Sept. 10
This year’s Pennsylvania International Week will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Radisson Hotel Sharon in West Middlesex.

This event is an opportunity for local businesses to schedule one-on-one business appointments to meet with the Pennsylvania Trade Representatives and discuss how they can successfully compete in the global marketplace. The event will feature 23 Authorized Trade Representatives from Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, Czech Republic, Eastern Mediterranean region, Arabian Gulf, France, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, UK and Vietnam. The Authorized Trade Representatives are contracted by the Commonwealth to provide market research for products/services, agent/distributor searches, foreign company background checks, industry contacts, in country assistance and many more to small and medium sized companies in Pennsylvania. For a copy of the registration form, please click here.

Northwest PA virtual Export Compliance Center established
Are you currently exporting and you believe you may need an export license, but you are not certain who to turn to?  Help is just a mouse click away! The Northwest Commission contracted with Associated Global Systems, N.Y., to provide non-bureaucratic and immediate export licensing counseling by specialists in their field.  Contact exportcompliance@nwcommission.org and a specialist will be available to address your questions. All services will be performed by qualified, efficient, and discreet employees in strict accordance with the recognized best practices. Support via phone, fax, email is free of charge and offset by funding of the Northwest Commission. Face-to-face counseling or training sessions will be quoted separately.

Mark your Calendars!

October 14 - Export Compliance Training, Meadville

November 6 - Let’s talk over lunch! Erie – Cross Cultural Briefing / INDIA

November 13 - Let’s talk over lunch! Erie – Cross Cultural Briefing / MIDDLE EAST
 

Fall Class Planning
Fall MTAP classes are in the process of being planned.  Planning priorities including balancing class locations across the region and responding to feedback from past MTAP classes.  Class offerings will include the consistently popular MS Excel and QuickBooks classes.  Additionally, program staff anticipates offering classes related specifically to challenges faced by municipal officials.  For example, "Using Excel to Analyze and Reduce Utility Bills."  It is expected the class schedule will be announced in September.
 

Northwest Commission staff met with the secretary of Conneautville Borough (Crawford County) to discuss potential GIS needs that the borough may have. The borough is interested in infrastructure mapping (particularly storm water).

The Northwest Commission met with representatives from the four counties participating in the regional parcel project to get an update on how the project was progressing. All counties are pleased with the progress so far.  Venango County is over 25% complete and the other three counties are getting under way.

Northwest Commission staff met with the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission to review the GIS data (911 addressing and parcels) that is currently being developed for the county.

The Northwest Commission is coordinating a two-day Introduction to ArcView 9.2 class on September 25-26, 2008. Please contact Matt Gilara at (814) 677-4800 x102 or mattg@nwcommission.org for more details.

Please visit www.nwneighborhoodgis.com. The Neighborhood GIS site is an interactive mapping web site that is available to all 265 local governments in northwest Pennsylvania. If you would like a custom Neighborhood GIS web site for your organization, please contact the Northwest Commission.

Please contact Matt Gilara, GISP - Manager, Regional Planning at (814) 677-4800 (x102) or mattg@nwcommission.org if you have any questions regarding GIS/GPS.