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Think Spring
With Spring quickly arriving on March 20th, I
can’t help but think of all the renewal that will be
happening. These changes won’t be just about climate, but
for us, about learning from the past and moving forward.
A New Beginning
I want to personally thank everyone who has supported the
Northwest Commission and me while we transitioned. I am
very excited to be named the new Executive Director of the
agency and look forward to continuing our plan for progress
and success. As always, the door of the Northwest
Commission remains open to partners, stakeholders and
clients, and we look forward to working with all of you!
Funding Our Future
In
his budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 the
Governor proposes to cut funds earmarked for the Northwest
Commission and the six other Local Development Districts in
Pennsylvania by 20 percent. The impact of such a cut will
be severe and immediate.
The
Northwest Commission has helped to create or retain 3,766
jobs in 2005 in the eight counties we serve in northwest
Pennsylvania. We are on track to producing even more jobs
this year with enhanced programs, partnerships, and a
strategic plan that will ensure accountability.
We greatly
appreciate all the letters that many of our clients have
written on our behalf upon learning of the threat to our
budget. They know how important programs like the ones we
offer are to their success. We hope that our state
legislators come to realize that too.
A Visit to our Nation's
Capitol
March 12-14, our program managers and members of our board
will visit our nation’s capitol to attend the annual ARC
conference, “Pursuing New Opportunities”, to discuss issues
facing Development Districts in Appalachia.
While there, we will be meeting with members of our federal
legislature who represent Pennsylvania and our region to
communicate our needs and our program strengths.
Thank you to the following members of our board for
participating in this important conference with us:
Commissioner John Bortz, Warren County; Commissioner Basil
Huffman, Forest County; and Commissioner Sue Smith, Venango
County.
An Irish Blessing
May you have
the hindsight to know where you've been
the foresight to know where you're going
and the insight to know when you're going too far.
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“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not
sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so
welcome.”
-
Anne Bradstreet - |
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Point of contact: Denise
McCloskey, Executive
Director x123 |
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The Northwest Commission staff and
other economic development professionals from northwest
Pennsylvania will be participating in a roundtable
discussion with Gene DePrez of IBM Global Location
Strategies to discuss the Commonwealth's IBM Global
Competitiveness Report and how northwest Pennsylvania fits
in with their strategy of targeted sectors and sub-sector
industries.
The
Northwest Commission is partnering with the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania at the Corporate Real Estate Network
(CoreNet) Conference that will be held in Philadelphia
April 23 - 26, 2006. Lisa Hamrick will participate in the
"Arrive in Style" program offered to site selectors by the
Commonwealth, while Commission staff and county partners
will market the region at the Commonwealth's booth and by
networking with international site selectors and real
estate brokers.
Company
Testimonial:
"As Woodcraft Industries
begins its production at our new Greenville facility this
month, we have experienced no setbacks. In fact, our
startup is going better than planned. The new employees
that have recently joined us are very capable. They are
the key to continued growth. In addition, the local supply
base, while not yet fully tested, appears to be reliable
and providing good quality." -
John Fitzpatrick, President/CEO of Woodcraft Industries
Woodcraft is a company locating to
Mercer County with operations beginning in March. The
Northwest Commission wishes continued growth and success
to Mr. Fitzpatrick and Woodcraft Industries! |
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Point of contact:
Denise McCloskey x123,
Lisa Hamrick x103, or
Chris Beichner x101
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3 Loans
Closed in February |
1. A $150,000 SBF/FIF Ag loan
closed for Lakeland Dairy Farms of Mercer/Lawrence Counties.
The loan was used to purchase cows and land.
2. A $75,000 EDA/RLF loan closed for North Coast Plastics,
Inc. of Erie County. The Loan was used for working capital.
North Coast Plastics, Inc. will retain eleven jobs.
3. A $200,000 EDA/RLF loan closed for South One Supply &
Home Center, Inc. of Erie County. The loan was used to
purchase a building. South One Supply will retain five jobs
and create three more jobs within three years.
Daryl Coyne spoke at an Agriculture Seminar in Clarion
County. The Seminar was sponsored by the Northwest
Commission, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Clarion County
Economic Development Corporation, Clarion Small Business
Development Center, and PAgrows.
Lynn Rough spoke at a Passing on the Farm Seminar in Corry.
Her presentation focused on low-interest financing in the
agriculture industry.
Upcoming Training Events:
3/16/2006 Federal Research Grant for Small Business
and Research Institutions Gannon Univ, Yehl Ballroom
Identify funding sources, apply for grants & more
3/16/2006 Smart Women Finish Rich Titusville, Towne
Sq Conf Center Simple steps to improve the quality of
financial life
3/18/2006 The Basics of Selling on eBay Corry, Corry
Higher Ed Council Basics of eBay selling
3/28/2006 The Art & Practice of Successful Delegation
Warren/Forest Higher Ed Council Learn to successfully
delegate tasks
4/1/2006 The Basics of Buying on eBay Erie Zurn
Science Center, Rm 122 Basics of eBay selling
4/12/2006 Internet Marketing and Sales Strategies
Mercer Mercer Co Community Education Council Optimizing the
internet
5/6/2006 Getting Started with an Online Store Erie
eBizITPA at Knowlege Park Keys to creating an online store
6/17/2006 Techniques for Serious eBay Seller Corry
Higher Education Council Experienced eBay selling techniques
If you are interested in attending any of the events,
contact
Ethel
Rodebaugh
at 814.677.4800 x113. |
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Point of contact: Daryl
Coyne x112
Lynn Rough
x109 |
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Government 101
The Northwest Commission's PTAC team will be holding introductory
training at the Northwest Commission on April 5th from 9:00am until
noon 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. There is no cost for this
event but you must register in advance as space is limited. Please
contact Lori Moore for further details or to register at extension
104.
Next Gov 101 training will be held on June 14, 2006.
RFID Training Information -
see
partner event listings
Unique Identification (UID) Forum The Department of Defense (DoD) Unique Identification (UID) Program
Office will be in Providence, RI April 19-20, 2006 conducting a very
important industry event - the UID Forum.
The UID Forum, sponsored by The Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, UID Program Office,
will provide practical guidance to military program managers and DoD
Contractors - particularly small to mid-sized contractors and non
ACAT-1D acquisition programs on how to achieve successful Item
Unique Identification (IUID) implementation as required by DoD
Policy.
IUID is a cornerstone of the Department of Defense’s business
transformation efforts and is one element of the overall DoD
strategic imperative for unique identification. The requirement to
uniquely identify items applies to domestic and foreign contractors
providing deliverables to DoD throughout the supply chain.
A comprehensive registry of marked items will provide accurate and
accessible information about personal property that will make
acquisition, repair, and deployment of items faster and more
efficient within the Defense Supply Chain.
For complete information on the UID Forum, the UID Policy, or to
register, please visit
uidforum.com
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Point of contact:
Aubri Minerd x121,
Lori
Moore x104 |
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A quarterly
Transportation Advisory Committee meeting will be held on
March 16,2006 at the Business Innovation Center at 10:30.
Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation Planning and training will be held on
March 31,2006 at the Business Innovation Center from 8:30
to 12:00. |
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Point of contact: Bob
Skarada x111 |
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The
Northwest Commission submitted two federal appropriation
requests to Senator Rick Santorum for 2007. The first
request was to conduct engineering assessments in 11
counties across northwest, central, and south central PA
for existing communications tower capacity and new tower
placement for 911 dispatch, emergency communications, and
rural broadband access. The second request was a GIS
request to create digital parcels in all northwest PA
counties that do not currently have their parcels
digitized.
The
Commission also submitted an appropriations request to
Congressman John Peterson to partly fund a fiber optic
build out in Venango County as a public-private
partnership.
The
Commission co-sponsored a USDA Broadband Funding Workshop
held on February 8th at Clarion University. USDA staff
reviewed several of their broadband grant and loan
programs during the afternoon session. Over 100 people
were in attendance for this event.
Upcoming
Technology Advisory Group meeting is scheduled for Friday,
March 17th beginning at Noon. |
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Point of contact:
Chris Beichner
x101 |
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 Breakfast for
Champions! April 28, 2006
7:30
a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
William J. Douglas Corporate Conference Center
Economic
Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street
Meadville, PA 16335 We
encourage you to attend an informal and relaxed breakfast roundtable
to learn about our services and how companies can benefit from
working with us. This new, quarterly event is in support of the
international marketing program of the Northwest Commission and the
services we provide throughout the region. Please join us to listen
to our client’s comments and market insights as they share their
experiences in working with the State’s foreign offices and our
international marketing program. Please RSVP with Lori Moore at
814.677.4800 ext. 104.
The
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
will lead a business development mission to Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam in June 7 – 17, 2006. Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam are among the fastest growing economies in the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. U.S. exports to ASEAN
last year were $ 47 billion, making the region the 5th largest
export market behind only Canada, the EU, Mexico and Japan. The
registration fee for the Trade Mission to Southeast Asia is $
950.00. Airfare, hotel costs and other expenses are the
responsibility of each participant. Reduced rates at selected hotels
are available. For additional information, please contact: Debra
Lenker, Office of International Business Development, (717)
720.7365.
Join the Commonwealth of PA trade mission to Israel and Turkey! June
12-16, 2006
The US is Israel’s
single most important trading partner. The commercial relationship
has expanded because of the Free Trade Agreement of 1985 and the
almost complete elimination of tariffs since 1995. The Republic of
Turkey has a strong and rapidly growing private sector. A new
economic liberalization plan has revitalized the economy, decreased
corruption, and bolstered transparency. All scheduling of business
appointments during the week are individualized so that you have the
opportunity to meet those potential partners who are best suited to
your company. Fee to participate is $ 450.00 to cover ground
expenses and business receptions. Airfare, hotel costs and other
expenses are the responsibility of each participant. Deadline to
register is April 21, 2006. For additional information please
contact Joe Burke, Office of International Business Development,
(717) 720 7366. |
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Point of contact: Dorte
Heffernan x110
or
Claudia Garcia |
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LTAP
offers safety and maintenance courses (transportation
related) to local governments across the state at little
or no cost. The courses make the work that municipalities
do more efficient, which saves money and makes the
transportation network safer.
Upcoming LTAP courses:
March 14, 2005:
Municipal Bidding (full day)
Towne Square Conference Center
110 W. Spring St., Titusville, PA
These
classes are FREE for local municipal officials to
attend. Please contact Matt Gilara, LTAP Coordinator, to
register. |
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Point of contact:
Matt
Gilara x102 |
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The
Commission has completed assessing the data returned from
the annual 2006 Municipal Technology Assistance Program
or ‘MTAP’ local government survey. The data is being used
to schedule appropriate training courses through out the
region. The training will again include many Microsoft
Windows based office productivity applications and Quicken
‘Quick Books’ Accounting software. In addition to the
productivity applications the Commission will be
introducing basic office networking including common
connectivity and security protocol and many more basic
trough advanced computer training topics.
The Commission will be awarding a
total of five (5) municipalities with a $1,000 MTAP grant
within the next few weeks. The grants are to be used for
either or both broadband internet connectivity (if
available) or web site design utilizing DSF technology (PA
commonwealth sanctioned web site development and hosting
program). The final decisions were based on information
relayed via grant application and the adherence to the
guidelines. The defining criteria weighed the immediate
need, availability of service, appropriate use and ability
to elaborate about plan and means to perpetuate services
after the grant monies have been depleted. We appreciate
the opportunity to offer this program however this
particular MTAP program is severely limited in monies
available for award and we kindly request that all
application participants write your local representatives
and explain what kind of positive impact these monies have
or can make in the electronic efficiency efforts of your
municipalities. |
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Point of contact:
Robert Nurss x122 |
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The Northwest
Commission staff created the following mapping products:
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Three maps for
the Clarion County Economic Development Agency (all major markets
within 500 miles of Clarion County map, major roads and airports
in western Pennsylvania map, and the major roads, industrial parks
and the airport in Clarion County map.
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Map to be
included in a Victorian Region brochure being produced by the Oil
Region Alliance
The Northwest
Commission staff has been talking with the Erie Port Authority and
the Warren Chamber about potential GIS/mapping assistance.
The Northwest Commission staff
continue to work
with the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and
Development Commission to put a pilot project proposal together for
the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA). The PSSA is
seeking funding from DCNR to, among other things; create a map
showing all the snowmobile trails, services, gateway communities,
etc from the Ohio/Pennsylvania line to approximately the Pocono
region.
The Northwest
Pennsylvania GIS User Group meeting was held on March 3, 2006 at the
Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority from Noon –
2 p.m. Twenty seven (27) people attended the meeting. There was a
Geodatabase presentation from Dr. Yasser Ayad (Clarion University),
a presentation on the benefits of having a digital parcel coverage
from Steve Benner (Timmons Group) and an update on the PAMAP project
from Chris Markel (ATS/PAMAP Program Manager). There were also a
Northwest Commission update and member updates from attendees.
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Point of contact: Matt
Gilara x102
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Partner Event
Listings |
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March 20, 2006: RFID Training
eBizITPA will be conducting RFID training at Penn State Erie,
Knowledge Park from 1-4pm. Please visit our
calendar of events
page or
eBizITPA RFID
for further details.
March 29, 2006:
RFID Training
The PA PTACs continue their RFID training in Pittsburgh, PA from 1:00
to 4:30at the Holiday Inn. Please register by visiting our events page
and printing out the brochure for further details and registration
instructions.
April 8, 2006: NWPA RECon
As the price of gas at the pump and the pipeline increases by 30,
40, 50 percent and more, we invite you to hear and share energy ideas
with the best minds in Pennsylvania. Representatives of
business, industry, and education are ready to talk about how to
conserve and generate energy and move to more cost-effective and
environmentally friendly energy alternatives.
8 am - 5 pm
Gemmell Multi-Purpose Room
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Fee: $50, Register by March 15 and save $15!
814.393.2227
Click for brochure
www.clarion.edu/ce
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