As the leaves and temperatures continue to fall and we take time each week to cheer on our favorite football teams, the Northwest Commission prepares to tackle another fiscal year.  A new strategic plan has been adopted and set in place by the Board of Directors.  Staff members are prepared to take on the challenges of new duties and goals.  The Commission continues the quest to develop business and economic vitality in our region and create a better quality of life for those living in Northwest Pennsylvania by taking on new challenges this fiscal year that include destination attractions, industry cluster analysis, the aging population, infrastructure improvements and health care industry development. 

Northwest Commission Local Funds
At the Commission’s October Board meeting, four projects were awarded Commission Local Funds.  The Northern Tier3 Project was awarded $50,000 for legal and administrative fees required in efforts to develop a fiber sonnet ring for Corry and Warren County.  The Regional Parcel Conversion Project was awarded $25,000 to create a digital parcel layer for Clarion, Crawford, Forest, and Venango Counties.  The Vantage Healthcare project was awarded $15,000 for architectural, engineering, and professional fees for development of a LEED-certified green building in Meadville.  The Frenchcreek Industrial Park was awarded a $10,000 grant to complete a Phase I environmental assessment study for an eighty-five industrial park near the Venango Regional Airport.

2008 Strategic Plan
The Board of Directors adopted the new 2008 Strategic Action plan for the Northwest Commission.  Five new initiatives were introduced for the staff to develop throughout this next year.  Those initiatives include Tourism and Entertainment, Aging Population, Water and Sewer Infrastructure Development, Healthcare Network Development, and Industrial Clusters.  To see the 2008 Strategic Plan in its entirety please click here.

Welcome New Staff
Thomas Sanchez has recently accepted the position of Community Development Specialist at the Northwest Commission and will begin on October 22, 2007.   

Thomas graduated from Allegheny College in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with minors in both Communication Arts and Psychology.  While attending Allegheny College, Thomas completed an internship with the Northwest Commission in the Public Relations Department.  He will be taking over the Municipal Outreach Program within Community Development, and will continue reaching out to all 265 municipalities that are served by the Northwest Commission.

Commission Makes Pitch for Keystone Innovation Zone
Erin Chorney, Director of Business and Economic Development, for the Northwest Commission has been working closely with institutions of higher education, service providers, economic development practitioners, and the Department of Community and Economic Development to put together a grant application that will designate Northwest Pennsylvania as a Keystone Innovation Zone.  The Northwest Commission will make its presentation to the Ben Franklin Technology Development Association on October 25, 2007.  Keystone Innovation Zones offer incentives for new innovation, assist in development of new ideas by bringing them into the market, and provide tax credits for young companies working toward commercialization.

Local Development District Association Fiscal Year Impacts
The Northwest Commission is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania and 72 in the Appalachian Region.  Each year, the Local Development Districts of Pennsylvania produce a fiscal year impact report to show progress and successes.  Click here  to view the FY 06-07 Impact Report.

Take time to enjoy the last of the warm weather with fall activities in our region.  It is a great time of year to bicycle, go for a hike and enjoy nature, get in one last round of golf, or toss the football with the kids.  There are many extra curricular activities to enjoy in Northwest Pennsylvania this time of year, so mix-up a witch’s brew and take advantage of them before the snow flies!

Happy Halloween!
 

Movers and Shakers
In September the Northwest Commission closed five loans:

    · A $99,000 SBF/FIF Tourism loan closed for Nye’s Marina of Crawford County. The loan was used to make upgrades to their facility and add new dock slips. Nye’s Marina Service is a full-service marina and retail operation. 

    ·  A $35,000 Microloan closed for BiBo’s Ice Cream of Venango County. Tony Aoun is starting a restaurant and ice cream store that will seat up to 25 people. 

    ·  A $10,000 Microloan closed for Mary DeWitt and Cynthia Bish to open a retail natural foods store in Sandy Lake, Mercer County, called Organics and YOU. They will sell dry goods, natural health and beauty products, meats, and cheese and dairy products. They also plan to offer Yoga and Tai Chi classes as well as educational workshops in the evenings.

    ·  A $17,500 Microloan closed for French Creek Café, LLC of Venango County. Van Curll will operate the restaurant for breakfast and lunch with a healthy food menu.

    ·  A $35,000 Microloan closed for Romolo Chocolates of Erie County.    Tony Stefanelli is certified as a master confectioner, one of only 26 in the U.S. He apprenticed under his grandfather, father and uncle during the 1970’s. Romolo Chocolates has grown to encompass a chocolate shop, gift shop, café and outdoor piazza across from Erie’s Frontier Park. 

The loan Committee approved six loans in September: 

• Dennis Farms of Venango County

• Romolo Chocolates of Erie County

• Red Roo Catering of Mercer County

• Thornton Industries of Erie County

• Jason Howles Landscaping of Crawford County

• SandCille, Inc. of Erie County

New RLF available
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented the Northwest Commission with a check from the USDA Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) in the amount of $250,000 to provide monies for an additional revolving loan fund.  The Northwest Commission will match the funds with $83,334 for a total new loan fund of $333,334.  The new loan funds will be made available for companies in the region who will be expanding and creating or retaining jobs. 

SBDC partnership lauded
The loan department ran a very successful two-month special for the Microloan program during August and September. We presented 15 applications and approved nine. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff was very proactive in their approach to our special. The SBDCs work with small businesses and individuals that want to start a business, and they saw this as an opportunity for their clients to get their business venture financed. Most of the applications came as a direct result of the SBDC efforts, and we want to thank them for their referrals. Their partnering made the Microloan program an overwhelming success. 
 

Wide-Area Workflow course offered
A representative from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) provided hands-on training at a recent event sponsored by the Northwest Commission’s Government Contracting program. Attendees were offered step-by-step training on registering within Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF), submitting invoices, submitting shipping and receiving reports, as well as correcting errors and the re-submission process.

We had a great response from our attendees! Here is a summary of what they had to say:

“The entire class was helpful and will definitely make the invoicing process more efficient.”

“The training covered details of which I was unaware. It helped explain each kind of invoice and we will begin using WAWF before it is required to ensure speedier payments.”

Helpful Web Link:
The Bid Match emails that are sent to you daily through the PTAC program can generate many questions regarding reading and understanding the solicitations within. To help, here is a link to additional information and guidance on these emails: http://www.catseasily.com/resources/help/profiles/.

Resource Spotlight:  DIBBS (DLA Internet Bid Board System)
Finding additional information on solicitations can be very time consuming and difficult - but when looking at opportunities with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), it’s gotten easier!  DLA has combined all their procurement information into one website which encompasses all of the Defense Supply Centers. DIBBS is a web-based application that provides the capability to view solicitations and submit quotes, view Request For Proposals (RFPs), access award information, view clauses and packaging specs, view price history and drawings and technical data.  Registering on the DIBBS web site is easy and free.  For more information and to register, please visit https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/. If prompted, click on the “Continue to this Website (not recommended)” link.

October 29^th: Federal Procurement Seminar Postponed
The Northwest Commission, in partnership with eBizITPA and the Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania, has postponed the Federal Procurement Seminar to a later date.   Please watch your email for and update on when the event will be rescheduled. 

November 14^th: TKO Training
The Northwest Commission has set this date to host Training Knowledge Opportunities (TKO) Training with the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC).  The daylong session will be held at the Northwest Commission.  This training will focus on how to do Business with DSCC and DLA.  This training is focused towards Machine Shops and Parts Manufacturers; however, any company interested in learning more about the DIBBS website should attend.  Companies will learn how to find open solicitations, learn procedures for viewing and downloading drawings, and how to submit a quote through the DIBBS quoting process.
 

Industry Reports 2006-2007 now available
Industry specific market reports are now available through the office of the Northwest Commission. Throughout the year, the authorized trade representatives are being tasked through the Center for Trade Development in Harrisburg to accumulate specific industry market reports on sectors that prove promising. If you are interested in a specific report in a foreign market, please give us a call. Industry sectors that we have on file for FY 2006-2007:  IT/Telecom, Environmental, Nanotechnology, Health Care/Medical Devices, Oil/Gas, Food Products, Mining and Heavy Equipment, Infrastructure, Defense/Safety and Security, Electronics, Industrial Machinery and Equipment, Automotive, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Hardwoods, and Power/Energy. For a copy of industry sector reports, please contact Dorte Heffernan.

International Security National Resilience (ISNR)
National Hall, Olympia, London   December 3-5, 2007
ISNR is the only event that brings together the entire international spectrum of homeland security issues under one roof! The exhibition will showcase a full range of products and services across the security industry, including new high-end products, techniques, applications, and technologies.

Martin Lewis, authorized trade representative from the London, UK, office will attend the show on behalf of Pennsylvania companies. ISNR 2007 is the only event outside the U.S. with official participation from the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The sign-up deadline is Nov. 2. There is no cost for this event.

For a copy of the participation agreement and questionnaire, please click here.

EuroMold 2007 Update
Three regional companies have committed to participate in this world leading trade fair for Mold making, Tooling, and Design & Application Development. The EuroMold 2007 is scheduled for Dec. 5 – 8, and takes place in Frankfurt, Germany. Exhibitors in the PA Pavilion are: X-Cell Tool and Mold, Erie; Joint Venture Tool and Mold, Meadville; and Tech Tool and Mold, Meadville. Registration for this event is now closed.

                                   
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The State Transportation Commission hearing held on August 30^th is the official start of our Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). A number of elected officials and citizens from northwest PA presented testimony on needed projects. This revision process will conclude in June 2008.

A presentation was made on the Regional Operations Plan that was developed for all the counties in the region. This is an outgrowth of the Intelligent Transportation Architecture that was developed in 2006. Projects identified include information devices on Interstates 79 and 80, traffic signal improvements, and a Transportation Management Center in the District 1 office.
 

The following LTAP course was held in the northwest Pennsylvania region during September 2007:

September 27, 2007 – Winter Maintenance – Vernon Township (14 Attendees)

Upcoming LTAP Courses:
November 7, 2007 (8:00 AM – Noon) – Posting and Bonding of Local Roads – Corry Higher Ed Council, Corry

November 8, 2007 (8:00 AM – Noon) – Signing and Work Zone Rules for Local Governments – Vernon Township Building

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 created a street map for the Girard Area School District.  The district will be reviewing the map and adding all their bus routes.  The bus routes will then be converted to GIS format and a final copy will be produced.  The Girard School District is interested in putting this information on the Internet via the Northwest Commission’s Neighborhood GIS program.
                                                    
                          Click Here for the Girard School District Map

A Regional Parcel Mapping project is moving forward.  Currently, a Request for Proposal (RFP) is being developed based on the deliverables provided by Clarion, Crawford, Forest, and Venango counties.  The Northwest Commission has applied to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Shared Municipal Services funding and is looking at PennDOT and other sources to offset the cost of the parcel project. 

The Northwest Commission is working with Clarion University of Pennsylvania to put together the 2^nd Annual Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference.  The conference is being held on October 19, 2007 at Clarion University Main Campus.  Please visit www.clarion.edu/ages/2007nwpagis for more information and to register.

Please visit the new and improved Neighborhood GIS by going to www.nwneighborhoodgis.com.  The site is now being powered by ArcGIS Server, a new Internet map server software provided by ESRI.  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 mattg@nwcommission.org if you have any questions regarding GIS/GPS services.