Fall is traditionally known as the season of change.  The leaves on the trees turn brilliant colors and begin to fall; the boats begin to leave the rivers and lakes in preparation for the impending winter.  At the Northwest Commission we are experiencing the change of the fiscal year and the prospect of new beginnings for trainings and programs ahead.  The Northwest Commission begins this fiscal year fully staffed, and geared up for new opportunities.  Change abounds, and we look forward to new beginnings and a new year to serve the businesses and local governments of Northwest Pennsylvania.

New Clarion Outreach Office
Over the past few years the Northwest Commission has experienced growth both in programs, and the number of full time employees.  This growth has exceeded the capacity of the commission’s current location at 395 Seneca Street, in Oil City.  In an effort to expand program service and accessibility across the eight-county region, the Northwest Commission staff and Board of Directors have decided to purchase an office building at 627 Wood Street in Clarion.  This new location will house ten offices from which selected Commission staff members will work.  We are thrilled to expand to the Clarion area and broaden the scope of locations across the region.

The addition of the new Clarion office will enhance our service capabilities with the main office location in Oil City, as well as the other branch offices in both Mercer and Erie counties.  Please watch for updates over the next few months as we prepare for the opening of the new facility!

Welcome New Staff
William (Bill) Rupert has recently accepted the position of Community Development Specialist at the Northwest Commission.   

Bill recently relocated to the area from Denver, CO, where he was the Manager of Marketing Programs for Johns Manville. In this position he analyzed sales trends of participating contractors to aid in strategic development to penetrate target markets.  He worked extensively with top tier contractors and performed marketing research in an effort to develop strategic initiatives to offer value added enhancements for the customers including online tools, lead generation programs and technical training modules. 

Bill also worked for 84 Lumber Company, beginning as a store manager in Clarion, PA in 2000.  He was then promoted to a Manager of Marketing for 84 Lumber managing sales staff, all marketing initiatives for 84 Lumber's Inner Circle program, and overseeing an annual marketing budget of $12.98 million.  Bill’s experience in strategic planning and marketing will provide a valuable asset while serving as the Community Development Specialist for the Northwest Commission.

October Board Meeting
The Northwest Commission’s October Board Meeting will be held Friday, October 3, at Structural Modulars, Inc. 101 Southern Avenue, Strattanville.  A continental breakfast will be served at 9:30 A.M., followed by the Board Meeting at 10 A.M.  Following the board meeting a lunch will be served at 12 P.M.  If you are interested in attending please contact Vonda Caldwell at 814.677.4800 x106.

I hope you all get to enjoy the last few days of the warm summer weather.

Cheers!

Three Loans Closed – Three Loans Approved        

In August the Northwest Commission closed three loans:

• BiBo’s Ice Cream of Venango County closed on a $15,900 Microloan to purchase equipment. This is a Microloan; therefore job creation is not required.
   

• Jepson Precision Tool, Inc., of Erie County closed on a $150,000 SBF loan to expand their business. Two positions will be created within three years and twelve employees will be retained.
   

• Kraeling Industries of Crawford County closed on a $20,000 Microloan for working capital. This is a Microloan; therefore job creation is not required.

The Loan Committee approved three loans in August: 

• Builders Support & Supply of Crawford County

• Hovis Auto Supply Inc. of Mercer County

• Synergy Enterprises, LLC, of Erie County

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

Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Government 101 – On the Road in Lawrence County
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 knowledge on the sites and certifications of the federal and state procurement process.  Presenters from the Small Business Administration (SBA), PA 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 will be discussed with those companies attending this half-day training event.  The Commission is taking its Government 101 “on the road” to better accommodate the companies within the region.  The September event will be held in Ellwood City at ESB Bank (second floor) 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, please contact Lori Kenyon at lorik@nwcommission.org or at 814-677-4800 x104. 

Monday, October 6 - Regional Manufacturing Forum
On Monday, Oct. 6, the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), the Northwest Industrial Resource Center and the Northwest Commission will co-host a Regional Manufacturing Forum at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie.  

The Forum will encourage interaction and collaboration by bringing together area manufacturers, representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD), and DoD prime and sub-tiered vendors.  This event will provide opportunities for networking, displaying technologies, and attending dynamic presentations. 

Online registration is encouraged at www.ncdmm.org.  The registration fee ($20) for this event is payable by MasterCard, Visa, or check (payable to National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining). Registration is limited.  The deadline for registration is Friday, September. 26, 2008. For more information regarding the event, visit the Forum Website.  

November 2008
The PTAC staff is coordinating with the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) to bring their TKO training back to the region this November!  This training will focus on how to do business with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the major purchasing agent for Department of Defense (DoD).  DSCC’s TKO training offers attendees the opportunity to learn how to find open solicitations on the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS), learn procedures for viewing and downloading drawings, and how to submit quotes through the DIBBS quoting process.  Please contact the Commission with any questions and watch the Calendar of Events for updated information!
 

Export Compliance workshop scheduled
William J. Douglass Jr. Corporate Conference Center, Meadville, Oct. 14

Do you know if your exports fall under the specific controls of the EAR (Export Administration Regulations), the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) or other U.S. export control regulations? It is your responsibility to determine if they do and comply with all applicable controls. Violations can lead to delayed shipments, lost business, damage to your reputation, significant fines and loss of your export privileges. Don’t let this happen to you.

This workshop will provide participants with a solid understanding of Export Compliance under the EAR and ITAR. It will further provide each employee with an understanding of their responsibilities in supporting their companies’ compliance program.

For additional information regarding the licensing process and requirements, please contact the Commission's virtual compliance center via email  at the following address: exportcompliance@nwcommission.org

Cultural events slated for November
The overall objective of these briefings is to provide the participants with the cross-cultural knowledge they require in order to promote successful business and interpersonal relationships with their international counterparts. Two events are scheduled:

• Let’s talk over lunch! – Cross Cultural Briefing: India
  Sheraton Hotel, Erie; Thursday, Nov. 6
   

• Let’s talk over lunch! – Cross Cultural Briefing: Middle East
  Sheraton Hotel, Erie; Thursday, Nov. 13

For additional information, please contact Claudia Garcia.
 

MTAP Fall Schedule
Northwest Commission staff will soon begin developing the fall MTAP course schedule.  New topics likely to be offered include Windows Vista, Computer Maintenance and Upkeep, and Advanced Topics in Excel and QuickBooks.  You are encouraged to share any thoughts or ideas that you may have as to upcoming course topics, especially those that can assist your municipality with a particular function, such as “Simplifying Payroll with Excel”, “Utility Bill Tracking with Excel”, or “Mailing List Management with Word”.  If a subject is important to you, the Commission will try to accommodate it.  As always, these courses are free of charge.

Please contact William Rupert at 814.677.4800 x109 or by e-mail (williamr@nwcommission.org) if you have course requests or suggestions. 
 

Northwest Commission staff met with the Zoning Administrator of North East Township (Erie County) to discuss developing a Neighborhood GIS webpage to assist them with their day to day zoning activities.  The interactive web mapping application will provide the township with aerial photography, property boundaries, infrastructure, and so on.


Large Format Scanner Capabilities
The Commission purchased a large format scanner that will be used for GIS applications (sewer/water maps, property maps, etc.).  The scanned data can be used as an archive and/or converted to GIS format.   

NWPA GIS User Group
The Northwest Pennsylvania GIS User Group meeting was held on August 29 and the main topic at the meeting was presented by Dr. Rick Day (Penn State University).  Dr. Day presented on how to use GIS for Land Use.  Also discussed were the the 3rd Annual Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference which will take place on October 24, an update on the four-county parcel project, a PAMAP update, and individual attendee reports.

3rd Annual Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference
Please visit www.clarion.edu/ages/2008NWPAGIS for details on the 3rd Annual Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference.

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