The Northwest News

North Coast Conduit LLC of Erie County closed on a $150,000 loan from the Economic Development Administration Revolving Loan Fund to purchase equipment. They will create six jobs in the next three years.

Upcoming Entrepreneur Training Series
On February 15th, there will be a free Entrepreneur Training Series titled, "Facebook for Business." This workshop will provide a hands-on opportunity to learn the benefits of using facebook as a social networking marketing tool for your business by creating your own facebook page. The presenter is Heather Mohnkern of One too Many Computer & Training Solutions LLC. The training will be held from 8:30am – 12:00pm at the Business Innovation Center, Oil City Industrial Park, 679 Colbert Avenue, Oil City, PA 16301.

April 12th - "Marketing on a Shoestring”
Are you looking to build a successful business but don't have big bucks to spend on marketing? The good news is that effective marketing doesn't have to cost a bundle. By working smart and taking the right steps to build your visibility and credibility in your marketplace, you can grow your business at a much lower cost than you might think. Join us for this business-building program and learn from marketing consultant Kathryn Lima how to:

Define the essential elements of marketing
Understand the relative merits of various promotional tools and techniques and maximize their effectiveness at the lowest cost (in time as well as money)
Develop a day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month schedule of marketing activities that will fuel the growth of your business

Kathryn Lima is the President of FARO Enterprises. The training will be held at The Commons in Franklin, 1340 Liberty Street, Franklin PA 16323. It will run from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming events available to small businesses in the area!

Lawrence County Government 101
A Government 101 will be held January 21st at the Learning Center in New Castle. This will be an all day event running 9:00am-3:30pm. The training will feature subject matter on doing business with the government on the State, Local, and Federal levels. In addition, Northwest Commission International and Finance Managers will provide an overview of their services. Interested parties should contact Lisa Wood or Krystal Pistone for more information.

Webinar To Be Held
The PTAC Team will host a Small Business Contracting Community Virtual Conference (webinar) at the Northwest Commission office on January 26th, from Noon - 4pm. The event, sponsored by National Contract Managers Association, will cover topics such as Teaming, HUBZone and Marketing to the Federal Government.

Federal Contractor Certification Trainings
The Commission has begun the process of enrolling Veteran and Service Disabled Veteran Business owners in the Federal Contractor Certification program. This certification training will allow these business owners to take contracting classes through Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and will educate them on the fundamentals of government contracting. Please contact Lisa Wood for more information on how to take advantage of this valuable training.

Pennsylvania Exports for 2010 Set to Beat Pre-Recession Levels

The value of Pennsylvania exports grew by 22.8% through the end of the third quarter of 2010, reaching $25.9 billion, as reported by the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). Following an 18% increase in Pennsylvania shipments to global markets in 2008, exports declined by a similar amount in 2009 due to the global economic down turn. The rate of recovery in 2010 puts the Commonwealth’s exports on pace to exceed $34 billion marking a return to pre-recessionary levels by the end of the year. Among the Commonwealth’s top export sectors, exports of chemicals rose 32.3% ($5.9 billion), transportation equipment climbed 44% ($2.3 billion) and shipments of minerals and ores (excluding coal) jumped a staggering 220% ($1.3 billion).

Two European markets led the pack as some of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing exports markets: The United Kingdom, rising 155% from last year to $957 million and Ireland, up 300% to $550 million. Pennsylvania’s largest export markets also showed marked increases: Canada (+ 23%); China (+14.7%), and Mexico (+68%). Pennsylvania has more than 12,000 exporting companies and it remains among the top 10 largest exporting states in the country.

Trade Mission to Czech Rep. & Slovakia
May 23 – 27, 2011 Prague and Bratislava
The Czech Republic boasts one of the region’s most prosperous and industrialized economies. There is high demand for U.S. products and services, which are known for their good quality and advanced technology. The Czech Republic has become a major hub for automotive and electronics manufacturing in Central Europe. Best prospect sectors for U.S. exports are:

Power Generation Equipment (includes renewable energy)
Automotive Parts and Equipment
Electronics
Medical Products
Environmental Technologies
Telecommunications and IT Equipment

The Czech government’s recent decision to support the expansion of nuclear power generation should create opportunities for the U.S. nuclear industry, which has been active since shortly after the Velvet Revolution. In addition, the Czech Republic’s inclusion in November 2008 in the Visa Waiver Program has boosted the U.S. travel and tourism sector through much greater numbers of Czech visitors.

Slovakia is a country of 5.4 million strategically located at the geographic heart of Europe. The Slovak market is increasingly dominated by the automotive, electronics, engineering, tourism and service industries. Slovakia adopted the euro as its currency on January 1, 2009 and became the 16th member of the Eurozone, resulting in the facilitation of trade through lower transaction costs, higher pricing transparency and greater monetary stability. Major U.S. exports to Slovakia include nuclear reactor technologies, electrical and electronic machinery and parts, optical and medical instruments, automobile parts and aftermarket products and chemical products

Pennsylvania’s Center for Trade Development (CTD) invites you to join a business development mission to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. For additional information and registration requirements please click here.

December Board Meeting
The NWPA KIZ Board met in December and decided to continue moving forward with Round II activities to be completed by June 30, 2011. Scribe Printing Technologies, Meadville, was approved as a KIZ registered company at the meeting.

Seeking KIZ Board Members
Several openings exist on the NWPA KIZ Board. Please let Janet Anderson know of anyone in the IT Field from Clarion, Crawford, Mercer or Warren Counties that may have an interest in serving in a volunteer capacity.

Energy Program Seeking Municipalities Interested In Purchasing Their Streetlight Inventory
Many of the municipalities throughout the region are faced with leasing their streetlights from their electric service providers. The rates are sometimes greatly inflated and the lights being used are far less efficient than what is currently available in the marketplace. If your municipality is faced with this situation and you would like to explore other options, please contact Bill Rupert.

First Energy Rebates Still Available For Energy Efficiency Projects
First Energy is still offering rebates for energy efficiency projects for area municipalities, businesses, schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations. Although there is no official deadline for project submittal, there is a finite amount of rebate money available. If you have a potential qualifying project and would like some assistance with the application, please contact Bill Rupert or visit www.energysavepa.com.

2011 MTAP Schedule Now Complete
The MTAP Course schedule for 2011 is now complete. The course schedule is as follows:

January 19 - Microsoft Word 2007 Level I

February 7 - Microsoft Excel Level I
February 16 - Microsoft Word 2007 Level II
March 2 - Microsoft Excel Level II
March 9 - Microsoft Word 2007 Level III
March 25 - Microsoft Excel Level III
April 15 - QuickBooks Level I
April 19 - PC Security Level I – Operating System/Hardware
April 26 - PC Security Level II – Internet Security
April 29 - QuickBooks Level II
May 27 - Facebook your Organization
May 27 - Internet Tools and Tricks

Registration for these courses can be completed by emailing Amber Walters. Unfortunately, the Commission can no longer accept phone calls for the purpose of registration due to past miscommunication issues. The Commission apologizes for any inconvenience that this may cause, but ultimately it will ensure that the registration process will be consistent and reliable.

Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the high demand for these courses, the Commission now requires a 24 hour cancellation notice if you have registered and cannot attend. This will allow the Commission to fill the spot with someone on the waiting list. Failure to show for a course without notice may result in that person being ineligible for future courses. As always, these courses are free of charge.

To view exact course times and locations, please click here.

PA Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) Award Announcement
Two projects in the Northwest RPO territory received awards totaling $1,250,000 in the second round of PCTI awards. Those projects include the Sugarcreek/Franklin Complete Streets Study for $250,000 and the Youngsville Revitalization and Economic Development Phase I Project for $1,000,000.

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
The next TAC meeting is scheduled for 10:30am on March 28th at the PennDOT District 1-0 Office in Oil City.

Broadband Outreach and Education Funding (BOAF)
Work continues with communities that are in the process of completing the Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) process to obtain high-speed internet service. If your community is in need of assistance, please contact Janet Anderson at 814.677.4800 x116.

Edinboro Route 6 Heritage Community
The Edinboro Heritage Community Stakeholder’s Group will be holding their 3 day Planning Charrette on February 2nd - 4th at the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit (IU5) located on Waterford Street. This comprehensive planning process includes community tours, field work, focus groups, and 2 public meetings. Visit www.paroute6.com for more information about the Heritage program, tourism, maps, and the Route 6 Artisan Trail.

North East
Congratulations to the Borough of North East for receiving a Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) grant, as announced by PennDOT on January 6th. North East will receive $300,000 to develop a Smart Transportation and Land Use Strategic Plan. Commission staff has been working with the borough and Downtown North East, Inc. on several community revitalization initiatives through the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. Projects include the Main Street model, Gibson Park, the Lake Shore Railway Museum, and a company store.

Northwest Regional Managers’ Network
The 10th quarterly networking meeting will be hosted in downtown Franklin on Thursday, January 27th at the Barrow-Civic Theatre on Liberty Street. The day will include sessions on downtown/community impacts from Marcellus Shale, geocaching, community libraries, tours of the theatre and the Liberty Galleria and downtown, and a specially catered lunch. These networking meetings are open to the managers of designated Main and Elm Street communities as well as those revitalization organizations moving forward with active programs and projects. Contact Suzanne Gagliardo for more details.

Connect 2 Communities 2011 - Save-the-Date!
The fifth annual Connect 2 Communities Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4th and will be held from 9:00am - 3:30pm at Cross Creek Resort, in Titusville. The day-long C2C includes a continental breakfast, educational sessions, networking, vendors, exhibits, lunch, and much more. There will be at least 9 different educational sessions to choose from this year. Online registration will begin on April 4th for the conference.

Northwest community organizations and municipal managers interested in bringing revitalization information and training to your central business districts and neighborhoods, please contact Suzanne Gagliardo, CMSM, Manager, Community Development at 814.677.4800 x122 or by email at suzanneg@nwcommission.org.

Planners Committee Meeting
The next Regional Planners Committee meeting is scheduled for Noon on January 21st at the Northwest Commission.

DCNR Greenways Implementation Grant Award
The Northwest Commission received a $100,000 Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant award from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Natural Resources (DCNR). This funding will provide the means to continue the Northwest Greenways Block Grant Award Program which provides funding for development, planning, and technical assistance for the implementation of smaller projects recommended in the Northwest Greenways Plans in the eight county service area of the Northwest Commission.

DEP Greenways Implementation Grant Award
The Northwest Commission received notice of a $350,000 award from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This funding will provide the means to continue the Northwest Greenways Block Grant Award Program which provides funding for development, planning, and technical assistance for the implementation of smaller projects

2011 KOZ Applications
Applications for 2011 KOZ benefits are now being accepted from qualified applicants. Electronic submissions are required in 2011 and may be submitted online here. Due to staffing shortages, the Department of Revenue will not be reviewing 2011 applications until February.

Stronger Economies Together (SET)
The Pennsylvania SET team is working with a local steering committee to realign the training modules to better meet the needs of the region. The changes came about at the request of the folks at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The next meeting of the full group will be held in February.

Amber Walters is an Administrative Assistant at the Northwest Commission. In this capacity, she serves as the receptionist for the Commission. Amber also furnishes administrative support as requested for the planning, transportation, technology, and other committees of the Commission, including making arrangements for meetings, workshops, seminars, receptions, and training events.

Please feel free to contact Amber at 814.677.4800 x100 or by email at amberw@nwcommission.org.

What is the last book you read?
Every evening in December, I would read "The Princess Christmas" to my daughter Katelyn before she went to bed, so I guess that would have to be the last one I read!

If you were a car, what kind would you be and why?
I would probably be a Jeep because they work hard under any condition

What are the first three things you do when you arrive at work?
First, I turn on my computer and then go through and organize any mail the Commission has received and then talk to Vonda and let her know what I have going on for the day.

Which language would you learn if you had to change from your native language?
French

If you are given a chance to travel to the past, where would you go and why?
I would go to the 1960's. The clothing and music were amazing!

How did you become interested in the position you currently hold at the Commission?
I like to help people and there is no better way to do that than here!

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