The Northwest News

Irish Trivia

Q: What is the official Emblem of Ireland?

A: The Harp is the official Emblem of Ireland, not the Shamrock. The handheld Harp was played by the Celtic Forefathers.


ARC Conference 2007 March 11-13, 2007 our program directors and members of our board visited our nation’s capitol to attend the annual ARC conference, “Energizing Appalachia”, which focused on regional approaches for effective energy development facing Development Districts in Appalachia. While there we visited the offices of federal legislators, who represent Pennsylvania, to communicate our needs and our program strengths. We thank the offices of Congressman John Peterson, Congressman Phil English, Congressman Jason Altmire as well as United States Senator Arlen Specter for their time and interest in our organization. Thank you to the following members of our board of directors for participating in this important conference with us: Commissioner Donna Hartle, Clarion County; Commissioner Basil Huffman, Forest County; Commissioner Sue Smith, Venango County; Commissioner Morris Waid, Crawford County; and County Executive Mark DiVecchio, Erie County. Around the Region Recently staff have participated in trade shows at regional events including the Erie Expo, Greenville Expo, and Venango Works! trade show. Staff are following up on leads from these events. Welcome New Staff The Northwest Commission is pleased to welcome Randy Rice to the organization! Randy Rice joins the Northwest Commission as the Manager of Technology Development. Randy brings years of experience managing various technology programs, telecommunications, and running his own technology companies to this position. He has been active with the Northwest Commission’s technology initiatives as a longtime member of the Technology Advisory Group (TAG). Randy will manage the day-to-day activities of the technology program, as well as seek new opportunities and resources to further the goals of the technology program. Randy can be reached at 814-677-4800, ext.122 or at randyr@nwcommission.org. Next Board Meeting: April 13, 2007 Join us at 10:00 AM at the Radisson-Sharon in West Middlesex. If you would like to attend, please contact Kellie Morrison at 814-677-4800, ext. 106. Sincerely,
Point of contact: Denise McCloskey x123 I Back to top


In February the Northwest Commission closed three loans: 1. A $200,000 SBF loan closed for TM Industrial Supply, Inc. of Erie County. The loan was used to renovate and expand their building; purchase machinery and equipment; and working capital. Five jobs will be created within three years. 2. A $75,000 EDA/RLF loan closed for Micro Weld America, LLC of Erie County. The loan was used to purchase machinery and equipment. Three jobs will be created within three years. 3. A $200,000 SBF loan closed for Matrix Tool, Inc. of Erie County. The loan was used to expand the facility and purchase machinery and equipment. Eight jobs will be created within three years. The loan Committee approved three loans in February: Log Hard Premium Pellets, Inc. of Crawford County; American Tinning & Galvanizing Company, and Downtown Erie Hotel both of Erie County. Entrepreneur Club on Retirement Planning March 21st – 6:00 - 8:00 PM The next Entrepreneur Club will be held on March 21st at the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority. Dan Fry, Financial Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, will be speaking on retirement planning. The Entrepreneur Club allows small regional businesses to network and discuss issues and concerns with other business owners and professionals. Each event has a speaker on a topic chosen by the participants. Please plan to attend and spread the word! Click here to view additional upcoming events available to small businesses in the area!
Point of contact: Daryl Coyne x112 I Back to top


Government 101 training: May 9th from 9 AM to noon Mark your calendars! This introductory class, conducted at the Northwest Commission, provides an overview of how to do business with the Federal, State and Local governments. Topics such as set-asides, bid leads, registrations, and how to work through government opportunities are customized to attending companies for this half-day training event. There is no cost for this event but you must register in advance as space is limited. Please contact Lori Moore (x104) for further details or to register. The Northwest Commission also hosted an event in New Castle for veteran-owned businesses. Presenting were the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Veterans Business Outreach Center from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh and the Northwest Commission.
Point of contact: Erin Chorney x116 I Back to top



Terms of Sale/Terms of Payment & Export Documentation Workshop - March 21, 2007 with Gary Carver. Do you, or your staff, need training in export documentation? Upon frequent demand, we are able to offer once more this excellent training event in our region. Who should attend? Personnel involved in the following: International Sales, International Marketing, Purchasing, International Customer Services, Transportation and Logistics. Gary Carver is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as an International Freight Forwarder and a well known and respected speaker in the region. For additional information/ brochure, please click here. Breakfast for Champions - March 26, 2007 This 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 clients' comments and market insights as they share their experiences in working with the State’s foreign offices and our international program. In addition, we are able to offer a market presentation by the State’s India trade representative. We look forward to having breakfast with you on March 26th, 7:30 to 9:00 AM at the New Englander, 3009 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105. Click here for the brochure. Additionally, we are offering on-site visits by the India trade representative following the breakfast. Please contact Dorte Heffernan to schedule an appointment. Trade Mission to Alberta, Canada – GO Expo Gas and Oil Exposition: June 11-14, 2007 To view the official brochure, please click here. The Province of Alberta is undergoing an economic boom, leading the Canadian market in GDP growth with record low unemployment levels. The main reason for growth of this economic powerhouse are the oil sands and the natural gas reserves. Its oil reserves are second only to Saudi Arabia. Alberta leads North America in crude oil production. In the last five years alone, industry has allocated $24.7 billion towards oil sands development. Canada also has significant, untapped natural gas reserves. Canada is the 3rd largest producer of natural gas in the world. The 2007 GO Expo Gas and Oil Exposition is Canada’s largest petroleum show with over 18,000 visitors and 400+ exhibiting companies expected. Join the State for the trade mission. Booth space is still available, however, booth space will be going fast! There is no participation fee for the trade mission to Canada. Should you decide to be an exhibitor, a 10x10 ft. booth space is available for only $ 2,000.00. For additional booth information, click here. USA Hardwood Mission to India September 19-29, 2007 New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore In an effort to assist American hardwood suppliers with access to the growing market for American hardwood in India, the Hardwood States Export Group has organized, in cooperation with the American Hardwood Export Council and the Appalachian Regional Commission, a 10-day mission to three major markets in India: New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore / Mysore. The mission will include a full day of site visits in each city, a day of one-on-one business meetings and educational seminars in each city, and a free day for companies to follow-up directly on business leads. Please click here for registration / additional information.
Point of contact: Dorte Heffernan x110 I Back to top


The Northwest Commission has been awarded a planning grant from DCED to establish a regional Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ), and has contracted GSP Consulting in Pittsburgh to proceed with engaging the interest of universities, industries and service providers in the seven county area of Clarion, Venango, Lawrence, Mercer, Crawford, Forest and Warren. KIZs provide grant funds to community/university partnerships to generate job growth through tech transfer and entrepreneurship. A kick-off meeting is scheduled for 9:30 AM Wednesday, March 21st , at Allegheny College’s Tippie Alumni Center in Meadville. Investors, industry service providers, educational institutes and industries involved in R&D are invited to attend. Responding to Leads Staff continue to respond to leads generated from an ad placed in Area Development Magazine, most recently responding to a Canadian agribusiness company’s interest in Northwest Pennsylvania.
Point of contact: Erin Chorney x116 I Back to top


We are seeing a good response with the Municipal Outreach Program. The Program visits continue with several municipalities already having received referrals on a variety of issues. Those issues include Traffic Counts, GIS/GPS inquiries, Downtown Revitalization, and Website Grant Applications. We are also anticipating a few success stories to evolve from the Municipal Outreach Program. Several municipalities, having not yet been surveyed, have also contacted the Community Development Specialist to discuss their concerns such as QuickBooks training and road maintenance equipment. All of the municipalities within the Northwest Commission’s eight county region are also invited to do the same.
Point of contact: Valerie Hearn x124 I Back to top


Gannett Fleming is continuing work on the Northwest Commission's Long Range Transportation Plan. A series of stakeholder meetings were held in March: - March 7 Venango County - March 8 Clarion/Forest Counties - March12 Warren County - March 13 Crawford County A quarterly Transportation Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for June 21, 2007 at 10:30 AM in the Business Innovation Center.
Point of contact: Bob Skarada x111 I Back to top


Three LTAP courses have been scheduled in the northwest Pennsylvania region: New Signing and Work Zone Rules for Local Governments April 10, 2007 8 AM - Noon Washington Township Building Edinboro, PA Engineering and Traffic Studies May 15, 2007 8 AM - 4 PM Vernon Township Building Meadville, PA Posting and Bonding of Local Roads May 16, 2007 8 AM – Noon Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority Franklin, PA To register please contact Matt Gilara at 814.677.4800 x102. You may also register for these courses online at https://www.ltap.state.pa.us
Point of contact: Matt Gilara x102 I Back to top


The Northwest Commission recently received a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to help facilitate broadband deployment in the region. The grant funds will be used, in part, to educate communities, customers, and local leaders in leveraging the Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program. The BFRR program requires certain broadband providers to provide broadband service to all customers within a designated customer service area once a pre-determined subscription threshold is reached.
Point of contact: Randy Rice x122 I Back to top


This is a time of incredible opportunity for the Technology Advisory Group (TAG) and Northwest Pennsylvania! Several communities across the Commonwealth are demonstrating success in acquiring broadband access through the provisions of the Bona Fide Retail Request Program (BFRR); the Riverview Intermediate Unit plans to light their Wide Area Network by late spring/early summer; the Northwest Commission has received an unprecedented response to its Annual Municipal Technology Assistance Program Survey; Technology Task Forces in Clarion, Venango and Warren counties are all posing interesting questions with respect to the future of technology. The TAG's next meeting is May 18, 2007 in the Northwest Commission conference room at noon.
Point of contact: Randy Rice x122 I Back to top


The Northwest Commission utilized GIS technology to work on an area map of the AC-Valley tourism area and three separate maps for the City of Franklin's web site. The Neighborhood GIS program, which includes a free interactive GIS web browser, is available for viewing at http://www.nwcommission.org/neighborhoodgis.html. The quarterly Northwest Pennsylvania GIS User Group meeting was held on February 23, 2007 at the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority (FICDA). GIS staff from Pashek Associates presented on how GIS will be used for the regional Greenways initiative. There was also a discussion on coordinating a regional GIS conference, an update on PA MAP, a Northwest Commission update, and updates from all the attendees. The next GIS User Group meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2007 at noon at FICDA.
Point of contact: Matt Gilara x102 I Back to top


The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Greenways and Open Space Plan Kick-Off Meeting was held on February 7, 2007 at the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority (FICDA). Members of the Greenways Steering Committee were asked to bring existing plans, information about future projects, as well as names of people/organizations they want the consultant to speak with. Work on the 18 month project officially began with this Kick-Off meeting.
Point of contact: Matt Gilara x102 I Back to top


Ned Goucher started at the Northwest Commission in November of 1975 as a Regional Planner for the District and is currently working as the Senior Director of Organizational Development. Feel free to contact Ned at extension 108 or by email at nedg@nwcommission.org What was your nickname as a kid? Actually my nickname is Ned. My real name is Edwin. I was named after a grandfather who died just before I was born, however neither of my parents really liked the name so they called me Ned. Parents sometimes do strange things. What’s your favorite color? Blue Two words most people who know you well would use to describe you? Steadfast and loyal Hobbies you enjoy? Reading, walking, music, and movies. When you’re not at the Northwest Commission you’re... Doing house chores and outdoor work when the weather is cooperative. I also read a lot. What do you like most about being at the Northwest Commission? When I look back at my career with the Northwest Commission, I see a lot of achievements that were accomplished throughout the years. It is nice to look back at all the projects that the Northwest Commission had a hand in developing. Sometimes accomplishing them took a lot of patience and perseverance by the staff, but in the end there has been a sense of accomplishment; and I can see that there are plenty of opportunities to achieve more for the region. I have enjoyed becoming involved in new activities at the Northwest Commission, which has provided me the opportunity to experience and learn new skills. I have also had the opportunity to meet and work with many persons during my years at the Northwest Commission. At present, we have a very talented staff with new and exciting ideas. I feel extremely fortunate to work with them. Back to top