The Northwest News

The first snow – can you believe it’s happened already. I am totally not ready for winter yet; although, I have to admit the first snow is always beautiful and serene. What I am ready for is a new fiscal year that finally includes a state budget!

ARC Funding
The Senate just recently gave final approval to a compromised FY10 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill. The measure now goes to the White House for consideration, and the President is expected to sign the legislation. The bill provides $76 million for ARC’s non-highway programs. This is the level requested by the President and is an increase of $1 million over the agency’s FY09 funding.

Final Route 6 Heritage Communities Round
The Route 6 Heritage Corporation has announced the call for applications for the FINAL Heritage Communities grant round. This grant is open to all communities along Route 6 and the planning process will begin in 2010. Deadline for application is December 30, 2009. Click here for additional information.

RETHINK ERIE Update
Over the last few days, significant movement has been made on a viable funding source for a community college in northwest Pennsylvania. On October 9, the Pennsylvania Senate, acting on a bill re-reported by Sen. Jane Earll, approved SB 1033. This bill expands gaming to legalize table games and includes a provision that designates 2% of the gross table game revenue from the licensed gaming facility in Erie County (estimated to be more than $1 million annually) to the establishment and maintenance of a community college within the county. The bill will now travel to the House for consideration.

Strategic Plan Adoption
The Northwest Commission’s Board of Directors approved the 2009-2010 Strategic Plan, which includes several new initiatives and adjusted metrics to reflect the budget cuts. Click here to view the strategic plan.

Did you know?
There really are so-called vampire bats, but they're not from Transylvania. They live in Central and South America and feed on the blood of cattle, horses and birds.

Cheers,

Two Loans Closed – Two Loans Approved

In September, the Northwest Commission closed two loans:

Pennlake Corporation d/b/a Conrader Valves of Erie County closed on a $63,000 SBF loan to purchase equipment. Three jobs will be created within the next three years.
Western Pennsylvania Steel Fabricating, Inc. of Lawrence County closed on a $170,000 SBF loan to purchase equipment. 29 jobs will be retained.

The Loan Committee approved two loans in September:

Lavery Brewing Company of Erie County
Riverhill, Inc. of Clarion County

Tax Tips
The next Entrepreneur Training Series is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th at the Northwest Commission office in Oil City. Patty Feroz from H & R Block will make a presentation on Tax Tips for Small Business. This topic will be very beneficial to small businesses, especially with the years end fast approaching. The venue is a morning session with a catered breakfast for the participants. Registration begins at 8:45 am and the program will commence at 9:00am.

The Entrepreneur Training Series is a joint program through the Clarion Small Business Development Center and the Northwest Commission. If you are interested in participating in the event, call Kris at the SBDC at 814.393.1797 or toll free at 877.292.1843.

Small Business First Interest Rate Change
DCED has a new approach to the interest rate for the Small Business First (SBF) loan program. The rate will change quarterly based on the 10 year Treasury bill plus 1%; however, the rate will never exceed 5% and is fixed for the term of the loan. The rate for this quarter, October through December 2009, is 4.25%.

Upcoming Training Events
The PTAC program is currently coordinating future training events so please keep an eye on the Commission's website for upcoming events!

Central Contractor Registration (CCR) REMINDER
December 21, 2009 - For those who are registered with the CCR to do business with the federal government, the deadline to switch from using your DUNS number and TPIN and create your own user-name and password so you can login to / update your CCR profile is December 21, 2009. All those companies that have not created and switched their login information to a user-name and password will be inactivated in the CCR after December 21, 2009. Please note that after that date, you will be unable to bid on any federal contracts until you have re-registered in the CCR and you could possibly lose any current federal contracts you may have as you would be inactive in the CCR. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact Janet Anderson at 814.677.4800 x116.

Regional Events

Procurement Opportunities Fair!
October 28, 2009 – 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 Mars, PA. The event will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North and will provide companies an opportunity to market their product or service to government agencies and prime vendors. The admission fee is $40 per attendee. For more information please contact Tracy Julian at GACO by calling 724.938.5881 or by email at Julian@calu.edu.

SBA 8a and HUBZone Certification Workshop
October 30, 2009 – U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an 8(a) and HUBZone Certification & Contracting workshop from 9 am - 12 pm at Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1 floor Conference Room, Pittsburgh (Northside). It is free to the public. MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend. To register for this event, please contact Marisa Fentzel at 412.395.6560 x109.

Join us for our Export Documentation and Compliance Seminar!
The international team is excited to announce an up-coming training event scheduled for December 1, 2009, in Erie. Associated Global Systems is offering a full day event providing training on Incoterms 2000, Export Compliance Issues (Basics of the EAR and ITAR), Commercial and Legal Documents, Customs Related Exports (e.g. ATA Carnet, TIB Cancellations, Duty Drawback), Requirements for filing the AES/EEI, Classification under the Harmonized System, Transportation Methods & Freight Rates. There is a $50.00 registration fee for this event. For additional information, please contact Claudia Garcia.

Participate in the PA trade mission to Australia and New Zealand
The Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development in conjunction with the Council of Great Lakes Governors would like to invite you to join on a business development mission to Australia and New Zealand on March 1 – 9, 2010. The mission will focus on customized business appointments for each participant in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland to include a business roundtable where local experts will brief you on business issues such as legal considerations, shipping, the local economy, etc. For additional information or a copy of the registration form please contact Dorte Heffernan.

Pennsylvania Hardwood Export Trends and Forecasts now available
Wayne Bender, Hardwood Development Specialist with the PA Hardwoods Development Council prepared a report based on PA and US export statistics for mid year. Generally, 2006 marked the highpoint for the export of American hardwood lumber. Since that time, American hardwood exports have declined. In 2007, the declining housing market began and the saturation of the Chinese market occurred. That year, sales to China of American hardwood lumber declined 19%, representing a loss of $52 million in sales. At the same time, the Chinese continued to increase their purchase of American logs by 37.8% importing $49 million more logs in value than the year before. In 2008, the major cause for the decline in American hardwood exports was high shipping costs from the US and low loading priority for wood products coupled with the overall economic crisis hitting significantly in the third quarter. It was also the first year that China had a decline (15.6%) in the purchase of American logs. The global economic recession continues to have an impact in 2009, while shipping costs have returned to near normal rates. Through the second quarter of 2009, there has been a decrease of 35% in the export of American hardwood products worldwide. For a copy of the complete report, please contact Dorte Heffernan.

A presentation for the Keystone Innovation Zone Second Round of Funding will be delivered to the BFTDA on October 22, 2009. The next KIZ Board meeting will be held on Friday, October 23, at the Meadville Chamber of Commerce located at 908 Diamond Park, Meadville, PA 16335.

Local Development Districts (LDD) Energy Program Marketing Initiative
As mentioned in last month’s Northwest News, the LDDs have rebranded the Energy Program as The Pennsylvania Energy Partnership (PEP). Meetings were recently held to develop a logo for the program and create a new marketing piece highlighting PEP’s mission and offerings. By creating a consistent brand for the program across all LDDs, PEP will realize a broader recognition across the commonwealth which in turn will assist in the creation of the program’s credibility and growth moving forward. Stay tuned to get a look at the new logo and marketing materials as they are released.

Northwest Commission Gearing Up For Energy Assessments
Now that the Commission has secured the new energy assessment equipment and received training on its use, it is ready to once again begin conducting Energy Assessments for the clients within the region. These assessments are free of charge for all municipalities, schools, and non-profit organizations within the eight-county region. An Energy Assessment, especially when combined with a Utility Bill Analysis, is an excellent way to save money on utility costs by recognizing conservation opportunities, especially considering the electricity rate caps that will be coming off in the near future (or may have come off already depending on your location). With the additional capabilities of thermal imaging, light monitoring, and moisture recognition, the assessments will be much more encompassing than previously possible.

Three Grants were announced in September. The Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation was awarded a $250,000 ARC grant for the Knowledge Park parking lot. The Corry Redevelopment Authority will receive a $150,000 ARC grant for the rehabilitation of a building into an retail incubator, and the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County has been awarded a $709,358 EDA grant for infrastructure for the Keystone Industrial Park.

The Northwest Commission “Going Social”
The Northwest Commission is currently looking into the use of “new media” resources for the purpose of creating additional marketing and communication channels. Through the use of social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter, the Commission will be able to leverage modern technology to further promote its programs and initiatives. By creating these new lines of communication, interested parties will have real time access to “What’s going on” at the Commission. Additionally, it is another avenue to communicate the various functions, workshops, meetings, training sessions, etc., that the Commission has to offer.

This is a relatively new and continually evolving phenomenon in today’s professional environment and the Commission encourages you to offer your thoughts and suggestions as to how it can most effectively leverage its capabilities. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the Commission’s New Media/Social Networking project, please contact William Rupert at 814.297.7158 x103.

Fall Computer Class Schedule Pending Budget Outcome
MTAP classes are being contemplated for the Fall schedule. The Commission is seeking input and guidance with respect to program topics, presenters/trainers, and possible online training opportunities. If you have suggestions regarding possible programs, presenters, or other areas of interest please contact William Rupert at 814.297.7158 x103.

Route 8 Land Use & Transportation Study Awarded
The Northwest Commission received 17 proposals for the Route 8 Land Use & Transportation Study. The primary issue to be studied will be to examine the land use and transportation needs impacting the safety of accessing Route 8 in Barkeyville Borough. The end result to be accomplished will be to develop and complete a highway access management plan and to advance a design solution to the Stevenson Road access point which is the primary point of entry for the Industrial Park. The Commission and selection committee reviewed proposals and interviewed three consulting firms. After a very competitive process, Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB America’s Inc.) was awarded the contract to develop the Route 8 Land Use & Transportation Study.

Route 62 Transportation Study Proposals Received
The Northwest Commission, on behalf of the City of Oil City, released a Route 62 Smart Transportation Study Request for Proposal (RFP) in August. This project will focus on encouraging in-fill redevelopment south of the Allegheny River in Oil City’s south side business and commercial districts. The project will also determine a set of multi-modal infrastructure projects that will improve the safety and mobility of residents and visitors. The Commission received 15 proposals that will be reviewed by a selection committee in October. The proposals will be shortlisted and those firms will be given a chance to present their project approach to the selection committee. After the firms have presented, the selection committee will award the project with work anticipated to begin in late October/early November.

State Transportation Hearing Held October 7th
Matt Gilara presented testimony at the bi-annual State Transportation Commission hearings on October 7, in Erie. The hearings are held to collect public testimony for the update of the 2011 Twelve-Year Transportation Program. The Commission’s regional overview emphasized the current transportation conditions and creative partnerships used to link land use and planning and also discussed funding allocations for the region.

Commission Receives Award for Broadband Initiative
The Northwest Commission recently received a National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Innovation award for its initiative, “Inter-Governmental Excellence Through Information Technology/IGET.IT”. The IGET.IT model represents a model for building sustainable capital to fund broadband infrastructure projects through savings achieved by sharing end-user applications such as geographic information systems, document management solutions, web site and email hosting, and remote backup solutions.

Broadband Stimulus Applications Intensely Competitive – Executive Summaries Available
Executive summaries of applications submitted regionally and nationally are available online at http://www.broadbandusa.gov. The Northwest Commission, at the request of the Office of Administration, served as a review partner for regional and statewide applications. Every indication is that the first round of funding will be intensely competitive. This is best demonstrated by the fact that nearly $30 billion in applications were received against the $4 billion available. It is anticipated that potentially successful applicants will be notified to provide additional information in late October or early November. At least one additional round of broadband stimulus funding is anticipated by June 30, 2010.

Commission to Promote Increased Collaboration in Second Round Broadband Stimulus
The Commission is appealing to potential round-two applicants for broadband stimulus funding to more effectively collaborate in developing stimulus applications; more specifically delineate methods for sustainability, and; avoid overt conflicts with specific provisions of the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). This is responsive to observations in the first round where there were numerous infrastructure applications that covered the same geographic areas. Second round information will be posted to the Commission website as it becomes available.

BFRR Program Drawing to Close on Successful Note
Funding for outreach, education, and technical assistance related to the Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program concluded on September 30, 2009. After more than two years of sustained effort, the Commission has assisted more than 150 individuals and communities in pursuing high-speed internet connectivity through a process of petitioning their local phone company for the service. A final report specifying the exact number of communities served will be completed by mid-November.

Forest County
Staff has been participating with the HTC Group and Meritage Consulting on a county-wide plan for development of sustainable tourism growth in the county. This tourism project was funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Project assistance has also been provided through the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau. The consultants will be presenting the final project report and their recommendations to the county on October 20, at 5:30pm at the Ranger Station in Marienville. Interested community members and project participants are encouraged to attend the presentation.

Northwest Regional Managers’ Networking Meeting
The fifth networking meeting was held October 1, in downtown Meadville at the recently renovated Founders House on Diamond Park. Community Revitalization staff coordinated this day-long event for managers of designated Main and Elm Street programs and coordinators of organized revitalization efforts in the northwest DCED region. The day started with a welcome from Mayor Friedberg and then Gannon SBDC Director, Deb Steiner, outlined the programs and services offered by the SBDCs in the region. Lisa Pritchard, manager of Olde Town Grove City, detailed their annual Gala event and auction. Andy Walker, northwest regional director of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council outlined some projects that PEC is currently engaged. The afternoon included site visits to various Meadville projects

Northwest community organizations and municipal managers interested in bringing community revitalization information, topic specific workshops, and training to your central business districts and neighborhoods, please contact Suzanne Gagliardo, CMSM, Manager of Community Development at 814.677.4800 x122.

Second Round for Implementation Grant Scheduled
Northwest Commission staff met with Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) & the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP officials to discuss the NWPA Implementation Grant. The status of the Commission’s grant application to DCNR has not been determined yet but the Commission is continuing to move forward with this process. There will be a second round of implementation grant solicitations going out in mid-October. The main goal of the implementation grant project (if funded) will be to have a block of money that will be made available to entities in northwest Pennsylvania (county/local government, conservation districts, conservancies, trail groups, etc.) to implement the recommendations/projects that are identified in the greenways plans (county/regional). DEP and the Fish & Boat Commission (FBC) are partnering with DCNR on this project.

Dorte Heffernan is the Manager of International Trade for the Northwest Commission. In this position, she leads the international marketing program and its staff by providing assistance to small and medium sized companies interested in developing or expanding their export business opportunities.

Feel free to contact Dorte by telephone at 814.677.4800 x110 or email her at: dorteh@nwcommission.org

What is your favorite type of food?
Oh boy, I like any kind of home cooking. I prefer home cooked food over restaurant food any time. I cook almost every day at home and since I am the cook, I guess I would say German cuisine is my favorite. I am not a picky eater, I just like to eat fairly healthy, meaning lots of fruit and veggies. Yes, I do like Brussels sprouts J.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Yes, dancing. I love to dance. Ballroom, Zumba, you name it.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Well, I am sure this person is out there somewhere, I just have not met him or her yet. It would have to be someone pretty amazing in order to exchange one week of my precious life. If I could put a twist on this offer, I would like to spend one week, or just a day, with my beloved parents and close family who have passed many years ago. This would be a very special treat.

What CD is in your CD player right now?
I have to admit..Shakira..Hips don’t lie.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you and why?
Julia Roberts, she is my favorite actress. She seems natural. That does not mean I want to be her for a week J.

What is the most satisfying thing about working at the Commission?
Being able to work in international, the passion of my life, serving our awesome clients. Also, to work with Claudia and Katarina. We have fun while working hard and we make a great team.

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