Untitled

Transcription

Untitled

..................
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...these are
the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
-Confucius
..................
about us
Our Organization
Established in 1967, the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional
Planning & Development Commission is an Oil City-based,
public, non-profit regional resource for economic and
business development as well as community development and
planning.
Funding for the Northwest Commission comes from local, state,
and federal levels of government. We are pleased to provide
quality services at no cost to our clients.
Our Team
The Northwest Commission is comprised of skilled
professionals dedicated to sustaining economic vitality and
growth in the northwest Pennsylvania region by fostering local,
state, and federal partnerships across public and
private sector lines.
Twenty-two community members serve on the Board of
Directors representing county government, private
business, county planners, tourism and economic
development corporations throughout the region.
Our Services
The Northwest Commission strives to produce private
sector job creation and retention through its business and
economic development programs such as government
contracting, business financing, international marketing
assistance, and business attraction.
The Northwest Commission also provides community
development and planning services such as grants,
transportation, energy, and technology assistance to help
communities stay progressive.
Our Region
We are proud to serve eight counties in northwest
Pennsylvania including: Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest,
Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.
Mission/Vision Statements............................................................................................ 1
Chairman’s Message.............................................................................................................2
Executive Message...........................................................................................................3
Community Development and Planning
Appalachian Regional Commission/Economic Development Administration..................................4
Transportation.............................................................................................................5
Geographic Information Systems........................................................................................6
Regional Planning..........................................................................................................7
Municipal Services............................................................................................................8
Technology..........................................................................................9
Energy........................................................................................................................10
Program Testimonials......................................................................................................11
Business and Economic Development
Business Financing.........................................................................................................12
Government Contracting..................................................................................................13
International Marketing....................................................................................................14
Business Attraction.........................................................................................................15
Keystone Innovation Zone..............................................................................................16
Program Testimonials.....................................................................................................17
Organizational Development
Organizational Initiatives...............................................................................................18
2007 Funding Sources...................................................................................................19
2007 Annual Dinner.......................................................................................................20
Program Testimonials....................................................................................................21
Board of Directors..................................................................................................................22
Committee Listings.........................................................................................................23-24
Staff Contact Information......................................................................................................25
Impact Summary
Impact Report........................................................................................................................................26
Clarion.............................................................................................................................27
Crawford.......................................................................................................................28
Erie..............................................................................................................................29
Forest.........................................................................................................................30
Lawrence.....................................................................................................................31
Mercer........................................................................................................................32
Venango..................................................................................................................33
Warren........................................................................................................................34
mission statement
Provide leadership and assistance as well
as collaborate and cooperate with our
partners in strengthening business and job
growth and improving the environment for
economic and community development
across the northwest Pennsylvania region.
vision statement
Northwest Pennsylvania will grow in its
business and economic vitality, its residents
will become more prosperous, and the
quality of life will be enhanced in the region’s
counties and communities.
Adopted by the Board of Directors in October 2004
Developed by Staff and Board of Directors with Legislator input
1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
Over the past 40 years the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional
Planning and Development Commission has made great strides in economic development for the northwest region of Pennsylvania. The Northwest Commission was founded in 1967 by county
officials and others to take advantage of the Appalachian Regional
Commission programs, which targeted public funds to
economically distressed areas within the 13-state Appalachian Region.
The first Board stated the Commission’s purpose in its bylaws: to “promote a planning program, an industrial development program, a tourist
program and other programs approved by the Commission for the counties of Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and
Warren, which will complement and coordinate Commonwealth, County,
City, Borough, and Township programs. The Commission shall not develop or promote programs which conflict with, compete with, or overlap
programs now existing or subsequently started by the constituent municipalities, but will take cognizance of existing programs.”
To this day, the organization strives to develop and execute programs high in quality, effectively assisting local
governments and businesses in the region. A dedicated group of 22 individuals serves on the Board of Directors
comprised of officials from both the public and private sectors. They provide guidance and insight into the
development of the programs offered by the Commission.
An extensive line of services are offered through the branches of Community Development, Business and
Economic Development, and Organizational Development.
Community Development covers a broad spectrum of services designed to help both businesses and municipalities. These programs include:
·
Municipal Outreach
·
Municipal Technology Assistance
·
Technology
·
Transportation
·
Geographic Information Systems
·
Energy
Economic Development offers a variety of programs that help businesses develop, and economically prosper
in Northwest Pennsylvania. These programs include:
·
International Marketing
·
Government Contracting
·
Newly formed Keystone Innovation Zone
·
Business Attraction
·
Business Financing
·
Keystone Opportunity Zone
Organizational Development is comprised of three components, which include:
·
Finance
·
Marketing
·
Public Relations
I encourage all of you to partner with, or take advantage of the abundant resources the Northwest Commission
has to offer and work with us on Unlocking New Opportunities into the future.
www.nwcommission.org...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
It is with great pleasure that I provide you with the
Northwest Commission’s 2007 Annual Report. This
year’s theme, Unlocking New Opportunities, truly expresses the goal of the Commission throughout 2007.
A major effort was made to develop an excellent staff
and enhance our partnerships to bolster the effect of
the Commission’s programs and services across the
eight-county northwest region.
Staff, along with the board of directors and various
partners, are continually challenged to think outside
the box in developing new, innovative initiatives that
will benefit the region and meet the needs of our everchanging diverse and dynamic economy.
Additional focus has been directed to maintaining and
expanding the Commission’s core programs to support tourism, local governments and industries across
the region. It is becoming increasingly important to
balance the dynamics between growth and change
while protecting the natural beauty of the region.
Unlocking New Opportunities is vital in achieving this
goal.
Denise McCloskey, Executive Director
This year, several new initiatives and projects have been undertaken by the Commission to help achieve the
necessary balance:
·
·
·
·
·
·
Implemented an energy efficiency program that serves local governments, schools, and hospitals to
assist in the reduction of energy cost and consumption. The Commission took the lead in this project
partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission, developing a statewide program for all 7 Local Development Districts;
Established the Northwest Pennsylvania Keystone Innovation Zone, which links early stage companies
with area university R&D teams to foster innovation, patent development and technological advances;
Launched the Municipal Outreach Program that reaches out to all 265 municipalities, identifying
multi-municipal needs and providing the required assistance to find and implement solutions;
Opened an outreach office in Mercer County that is co-located with Penn-Northwest Development
Corporation, providing additional exposure in Mercer and Lawrence counties;
Initiated the Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program, which enables communities to aggregate
potential broadband customers and offers that aggregated demand to the telephone companies; and,
Instituted the Regional Directors Roundtable which provides an informal setting for the executive directors of key regional organizations to share ideas on collaboration and coordination.
These are only a few of the new programs and initiatives developed by the staff over the past year, and I encourage
you to read the enclosed report for additional details on all the programs and services provided by the Commission.
Looking back over this past year provides me with a sense of satisfaction and pride for what our organization has
accomplished. Thank you to all who have participated in our successes, and as we embark on a new year, I
encourage you to continue working with the Commission in planning for the future growth and development of
northwest Pennsylvania. Your participation is necessary in meeting the future challenges as we continue to
Unlock New Opportunities!
Warm Regards,
3 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
community development and regional planning
The process of developing active and sustainable communities based on social justice and mutual respect. It
is about influencing power structures to remove the barriers that prevent people from participating in the
issues that affect their lives.
.................
The Northwest Commission is actively engaged in supporting community
development and planning within the northwest Pennsylvania region. The
majority of community development and planning efforts relate to supporting
regional infrastructure needs and community vitality through transportation planning, geographic information systems, and technology programs.
The Northwest Commission believes strongly in coordinating efforts and
sharing resources to improve communities, making them ready for new
residential and business growth.
.................
Each year the Northwest Commission
works collaboratively through
various funding sources that allow
for the infrastructure development of large
projects that will create jobs, attract business, and foster education and workforce
development.
Lincoln Hall, Foxburg
Keys to Our Success
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Pennsylvania Office of Appalachian Development all contribute toward this grant initiative.
ARC is a federal-state-local partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for selfsustaining economic development and improved quality of life.
EDA was established to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in
economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the
United States experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.
Unlocking New Opportunities
The Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County received a $105,368 ARC grant for the Keystone Industrial
Park Water Project. The grant will be used for a water system which will serve approximately 600 acres of the
industrial park. A $545,642 EDA grant and a $1,019,000 DCED grant were previously awarded for the project.
Forest County received $140,000 of ARC distressed funding for the following activities: development of revitalization
studies for Tionesta Borough and for Marienville; the acquisition of tourism signage, kiosks, and interactive digital
displays; and the renovation of the Forest County Visitor Center which is located in Tionesta Borough.
A $25,000 ARC grant was awarded to the Northwest Commission to develop a Revitalization Tourism Based
Destination Plan for the Borough of Foxburg located in Clarion County. This plan will delineate specific development
activities with cost estimates and site plans. The goal of this plan is to provide funding agencies with explicit wellconceived projects that are ready to be funded.
Keys to Our Success
The Northwest Commission is a transportation
Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and liaison with
the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT). The Transportation Advisory
Committee (TAC) is a group of volunteers who
review and prioritize funding for transportation
projects.
The Transportation Program is
a planning process designed to allow
maximum public participation
in transportation project selection for
the counties of Clarion, Crawford,
Forest, Venango, and Warren.
TAC partners with PennDOT Central Office,
PennDOT Districts 1-0 and 10-0, the State
Transportation Commission, the Federal Highway
Administration, and the Federal Transit
Administration to certify project prioritization and
secure funding.
The TAC, along with PennDOT, develops the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This four-year plan consists of over $209 million of public funding for transportation projects in the five rural counties. In 2007, $41 million
was invested into projects.
The Long Range Transportation Plan considers regional priorities over the next 25 years and how transportation
projects can help achieve a desired future. By
coordinating and guiding efforts as a region, the
long range plan helps to make the most of
limited transportation funding and helps to
ensure that each project contributes effectively
to big picture improvements.
The East Brady Bridge in Clarion County, also
known as the Sergeant Carl F. Curran II Memorial
Bridge, was a $15.8 million project completed on
April 26, 2007. Although construction was completed on schedule, the total project took 15 years
from start to finish. This was due, in part, to the
presence of an endangered mussel species which
made it necessary to have an environmental impact statement completed.
Sergeant Carl F. Curran II Memorial Bridge, East Brady
5 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
Keys to Our Success
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a system in computer software, hardware, data, and personnel used
to capture, store, analyze and display geographically referenced information. GIS
incorporates Global Positioning
Systems (GPS) as a tool to collect data.
GIS is a planning tool used to assist efforts in
economic development, tourism, county/local
government, health care, school districts, higher
education, and private organizations in northwest
Pennsylvania.
The Commission facilitates the Northwest
Pennsylvania GIS User Group, which is a group of
GIS users sharing ideas and best practices.
The Commission also actively participates on a GIS
sub-committee for the Northwest Pennsylvania
Emergency Response Group.
The Northwest Commission, in partnership with Clarion University of Pennsylvania, coordinated the Second Annual
Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference held on October 19, 2007. The conference consisted of presentations
from a variety of GIS/geospatial professionals. Over 100 people attended the conference.
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognized the Commission with a 2007
www.nwneighborhoodgis.com
Innovation Award for Neighborhood GIS (www.nwneighborhoodgis.com
www.nwneighborhoodgis.com). This program provides GIS data over
the Internet with customized services available to any Commission partner in the region.
A two-day Introduction to ArcView 9.2 class
was coordinated in June 2007. The class
was partially subsidized by the Commission
and was offered to county/local government
and other partners in the region. Fourteen
individuals attended the class.
Twenty-one GIS projects were completed in
2007, while 30 new GIS data layers were
created.
NADO Innovation Award for Neighborhood GIS presented to
Commission Board Members and Staff
Regional Planning has been a
fundamental part of the Commission for
the past 40 years. The Commission has
aggregated partners and resources to plan
for the future growth and development of northwest Pennsylvania.
In 2007, the Commission continues to
develop three regional plans for
northwest Pennsylvania: Regional
Greenways and Open Space Network Plan;
Land Use and Transportation for Economic
Development Regional Action Plan; and a
Digital Parcel Conversion Project.
Keys to Our Success
Regional Planning encompasses many partners in
the region depending on the planning initiative.
Current planning efforts include the PA Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and
a variety of county planning departments and trail
organizations in developing the Regional Greenways
and Open Space Network Plan.
Local partners involved with the Land Use and
Transportation Regional Action Plan include
organizations like: Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau,
National Fuel, Warren County Planning
Commission, and the Economic Progress Alliance
of Crawford County.
By planning regionally, counties have the opportunity to receive professionally developed plans at a
fraction of the cost. The regional greenways plan
will identify a prioritized list of greenways and open
space projects to be developed through different
phases of acquisition and construction. The land
use and transportation plan will set criteria and a
process to prioritize regional projects with significant impact to northwest Pennsylvania. The digital
parcel conversion project, when completed, will be
a significant tool for future planning and land use
activities, community revitalization, marketing of the
region, and public safety.
The chart below depicts overall savings by the counties that have participated in the last three regional
planning efforts. While counties typically contribute
funds to the planning activity, their overall costs are
small and the substantial savings prove working in
collaboration makes smart financial sense.
7 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
Municipal Services provide all 265 local
governments in northwest Pennsylvania
with the tools, resources, and connections
needed to make effective and efficient
decisions. Commission programs
offering
direct
municipal
assistance include the Municipal Outreach Program, Municipal Technology
Assistance Program (MTAP), and the
Local Technical Assistance Program
(LTAP).
2007 Municipal Outreach
Keys to Our Success
Municipal Services include a variety of federal, state, and local partners. State partners include the PA Department
of Community and Economic Development (DCED), PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT), PA
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR),
and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS).
Local partners include the Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology, county planning offices, PA
Downtown Center, and the Green Building Alliance. Federal partners include the US Department of Agriculture
and others.
In 2007, the Commission met with 146 municipalities and generated 64 referrals to staff and partner agencies.
As a result of the Municipal Outreach Program, 37% of the municipalities visited requested more information on
the Energy Program while 40% expressed interest in the GIS Program.
The Northwest Commission provided 23 MTAP classes in which 143 local government personnel acquired software
training. Course topics included MS Access, Excel, QuickBooks, and Word. This year, 16 MTAP grants totaling
$16,000 were awarded to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Knox and Shippenville Boroughs, Monroe and Limestone Townships and Clarion County Association
of Township Supervisors (Clarion County).
Summit, Pine and Steuben Townships (Crawford County).
Girard Township and Albion Borough (Erie County).
Tionesta Borough (Forest County).
Slippery Rock Township (Lawrence County).
New Vernon Township and Greenville Borough (Mercer County).
Barkeyville Borough and Cherrytree Township (Venango County).
The Northwest Commission organized nine LTAP courses this year in which 155 local government personnel
attended. The LTAP program has been very successful since its inception at the Northwest Commission and has
made an immense impact for the local governments in the region.
The Northwest Commission is engaged in
systematically evaluating and responding to
the technology needs of the region.
Short-term programs seek to educate
consumers, businesses, and community
leaders about technology; and aggregate
demand for data, video, and voice services
in underserved communities. Long-term
programs are oriented toward developing affordable and comprehensive access to technologies that will drive sustainable
economic development, business
attraction and retention, and innovative
community development.
Keys to Our Success
The PA Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) and State Senator Mary Jo
White have helped to bring funding for the technology initiatives.
The Northwest Commission’s Technology Advisory
Group (TAG) meets bi-monthly to address broadband
issues including broadband Internet-related technologies, ongoing community aggregation efforts, regional
deployment initiatives, and state and federal legislation related to technology and telecommunications.
Partners include counties, electric cooperatives,
health care, education, and state agencies.
Fifty-seven communities have received assistance through the Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program.
Thirteen communities received assistance resulting in collection of a sufficient number of “petition” forms to
compel the phone company to install DSL service within one year. Other assistance includes providing information on PA Act 183, the process by which to petition the phone companies for service, conducting mailings, and
certifying the results of ongoing petition activities.
The region received a final set of short and long-term recommendations related to broadband strategies. These
recommendations included a set of financial projections estimating a $3.2 billion return on
broadband investment over 30 years.
Broadband connectivity is evolving
as an economic development
imperative. The average Internet
connection speed in Japan is
approaching 100 mbps (large yellow
dot). The average connection speed
in the United States is just over 3
mbps (maroon dot). Dial up connection speed – still common in northwest Pennsylvania – is 0.59 mbps
(smaller than the smallest dot on the
chart). The technology programs of
the Northwest Commission aspire to
drive development of infrastructure
that would represent a competitive
advantage to individuals and firms
located in the region.
9.........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
LED Crosswalk Light
The Energy Efficiency Program directly aids local governments, hospitals, and
schools as they continue to work toward
becoming more energy efficient. The
Energy Program provides: educational
workshops, utility bill analysis, energy
assessment assistance, bulk purchase consortiums, green building technical
assistance, and implementation of energy
efficiency plans.
Keys to Our Success
The Northwest Commission has partnered with the PA Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) as well as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to fund the Energy
Program.
An Energy Advisory Council, comprised of local professionals and utility companies, helps to
facilitate and guide the program. The Commission has also partnered with the PA Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), and Penn
State University for the development and execution of the program.
The Energy Efficiency Program was developed this year to assist local governments, schools, and hospitals in
improving energy efficiency. The program has successfully assisted seven municipalities, two counties, one
hospital, and one intermediate unit in technical assistance and utility bill analysis research.
The Commission has also organized a Light Emitting Diode (LED) Traffic Signal Light Bulk Purchase for all
municipalities within the eight-county region. The estimated final product order is expected to exceed 4,600 LED
lights. The estimated cost savings, including energy savings and maintenance savings, is expected to be over
$1.2 million over a five-year period.
www.nwcommission.org.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
“The Carl F. Curran II Bridge Project was 15 years
in the making. The Northwest Commission’s Transportation Planning and Assistance played a vital role
in getting this project funded and completed.”
Kevin Reichard
Reichard, Clarion County Planning
Commission
“As an employee in Tionesta, I found the workshop
to be beneficial as we prepare to develop an
energy management plan in anticipation of the uncapping of utility costs that is scheduled to
occur in 2010. It was a very informative seminar
given by Kathy Greely, and I was happy to have the
opportunity to attend.”
Colleen Call
Call, Tionesta Borough, Forest County
“The Regional approach to the Greenway Plan
process presents a two-fold win for the 8 counties;
first, it offers us the opportunity to plan projects at a
regional level with all parties proactively planning at
the same table, at the same time, and second the
regional approach is the most cost effective method
of developing a plan.”
Dan Glotz
Glotz, Warren County Planning and Zoning
Commission
“I recently attended a training seminar they offered
on QuickBooks. This seminar was very helpful
because it provided relevant information on how the
program can be used for municipal purposes. The
trainer, Heather Mohnkern, provided excellent
training materials and provided a very informative
seminar.”
Barbara Thomas
Thomas, Oakland Township,
Venango County
“VisitErie worked with the Northwest Commission
to develop a custom map of downtown Erie for our
annual visitors guide. The process was handled
not only in a professional manner but it was
seemingly effortless on our part. The Northwest
Commission was efficient, effective and ultimately
successful in putting together an easy-to-use map
for our guide. We look forward to working with them
in the near future.”
“The Northwest Commission’s Regional Greenways
Planning Initiative in 2007 has been and will be a great
benefit to Venango County and Northwestern
Pennsylvania. This project has brought many
municipalities and citizens to appreciate the
resources that are in their communities, and allows
Commonwealth agencies such as the Department of
Environmental Protection to identify and
prioritize the funding of environmental improvement and
conservation enhancement projects.”
Timothy Bruno
Bruno, Northwest Regional Office, PA
Department of Environmental Protection
“I received a letter from Verizon last week advising me
that they received my Bona Fide Retail Request Confirmation of broadband service and that they plan to
have Sugarcreek (PA 417 Area) up and running by 05/
02/2008. I want to thank you again for your help in
this matter. You have made a lot of people happy.
Thanks again.”
John Dumbleton
Dumbleton, Private Citizen, Sugarcreek
“Your custom mapping service has been extraordinarily helpful for us. From time to time, we require maps
to help to illustrate client service area geographies as
well as locations based on a radius geography. We
do not have the volume of need to justify the large
investment that would be required to have these capabilities in house. However, it is a tremendous benefit to be able to call and quickly get an accurate map
that meets ours and our clients needs, at an affordable cost. We have found the staff to be very capable
and helpful and the maps are great. We appreciate
the NWC providing these services to organizations in
the region.”
Debbie Thompson
Thompson, Strategy Solutions
Christine Pennsy
Pennsy, VisitErie
11 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
business and economic development
The development of economic wealth of countries or regions for the well-being of their
inhabitants. From a policy perspective, economic development can be defined as efforts
that seek to improve the well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and/or
retaining jobs and supporting or growing incomes and the tax base.
..................
The Northwest Commission plays an active and important role in supporting
business and economic development within the northwest Pennsylvania region. The majority of the business and economic development efforts relate to
supporting regional businesses through dynamic business retention efforts
provided by the Northwest Commission’s business financing, government
contracting, international marketing, and tax credit/abatement programs.
The business attraction program assists in the recruitment of businesses
seeking to relocate or expand operation within the region. These efforts will help
site selectors and decision makers better explore what the region has to offer in
terms of assets, partners, and sites and buildings.
..................
40
588
Loans Closed
Jobs Retained
$4.7M
170
Loans Awarded
Jobs Promised
The Northwest Commission’s business
financing program consists of three
types of loans. The Revolving Loan and
Small Business First programs provide up
to $200,000 in funding for projects to meet
the financing needs of local businesses. This
loan program is comprised of funding from
the Economic Development Administration, the Appalachian Regional
Commission, and the United States
Department of Agriculture. Loans
can be used for land, building, machinery and
equipment, and working capital.
The Small Business Administration
Microloan program provides funding up to
$20,000 for entrepreneurs or existing
businesses in the region.
Keys to Our Success
The Northwest Commission packages and services Small Business First loans for the PA Department of
Community and Economic Development in Harrisburg, because it serves as a designated Area Loan Organization
for the state. First Industries Fund loans are also packaged for review and approval by the Loan Review Committee
prior to final approval by the Commonwealth Financing Authority in Harrisburg. The Northwest Commission
partners with the county Economic Development Corporations to package loans in each county.
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) assist local companies with their business plans and financial
projections for loan packages, as well as provide specialized training programs.
In 2007, the Business Financing program continued to host the Entrepreneur Club in collaboration with the Clarion
University SBDC. The Entrepreneur Club is now meeting over a series of training luncheons. Attendees are given
time to network with other entrepreneurs in the region, while receiving an informational presentation from guest
speakers, in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Business Financing team has worked to develop its agricultural loan portfolio over the past year. Key partners
have helped the Northwest Commission with this process including the Farm Service Agency, AgChoice Farm
Credit, Mercer County State Bank, and the PA Department of Agriculture.
A PAGrows award was given to the Northwest Commission’s Business Financing program for its work to help plan
agricultural loans in the region. Daryl Coyne, Manager of the Loan Program, attended the Pennsylvania Farm Show
in Harrisburg to receive the award on behalf of the Northwest Commission.
In 2007, 19 seminars were sponsored, providing 21 regional businesses with training.
This year, 40 loans were closed totaling $4,700,000 for regional businesses. These loans resulted in 170 jobs
promised and 588 jobs retained within the region.
www.nwcommission.org................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
The Northwest Commission is certified
by the United States Department of
Defense’s National Cooperative
Agreement as the regional Procurement
Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).
The
Commission’s
Government
Contracting staff is continually trained by
the national Association of Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) to
increase resources and knowledge
about procurement processes and policies. The resources and knowledge enable staff to directly assist clients with
prime and sub contract processes through
registration, marketing, submission of bids,
and providing specifications.
Clients are able to receive guidance on
submitting applications for minority, veteran,
woman-owned, and HUBZone (Historically
Underutilized Business) certifications.
Keys to Our Success
In order to provide quality training programs and
procurement assistance for local businesses, the
Government Contracting staff has a number of state
and federal partners including: the Department of
Defense, the General Services Administration, the
Pennsylvania Department of General Services, the
Pennsylvania Department of Treasury, and the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
344
345
Contracts Awarded
Jobs Created/Retained
1,420 82M
Counseling Sessions
Contract Sales
Since the arrival of the new staff this year,
the program has been focused on compliance,
internal training, and serving clients with high
quality assistance so they can grow their business
in the government contracting arena. An
aggressive marketing plan was designed to expand
the client base.
The staff continues to host the introductory
“Government 101” training seminars for
companies new to the government contracting
sector. However, to better assist those companies that already have a working knowledge of
government contracts, the staff has added training seminars that cover information beyond the
introductory level- “Government 201.” These
advanced training seminars include workshops that
provide more detailed government contracting
training, industry-specific training, and more.
This year the Government Contracting Program
completed eight educational procurement trainings
with 74 attendees.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Government
Contracting program completed 1,420 counseling
sessions this year with local businesses. Within
the Northwest Pennsylvania region, 19 companies
received 344 contract awards. The government
contract sales for 2007 totaled $82,000,000
enabling businesses in the region to create and
retain 345 jobs.
Government 101 Training
13 .....................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
The international marketing program provides direct export development
services to small-and medium-sized
regional manufacturing and service
companies, prepares them to enter
and compete in the global marketplace,
and provides opportunities that lead to
increased revenue and jobs.
2007 Hardwood Inbound
Keys to Our Success
The Northwest Commission serves as the regional coordinator for the Commonwealth’s International Marketing
Program. The Center for Trade Development, Office of International Business Development, is a key partner to the
Northwest Commission’s International efforts. This partnership grants the Northwest Commission access to the
Commonwealth’s global network of professionals across Pennsylvania and 50 markets worldwide.
Erie County has been a strong supporter of the International Marketing Program for the past five years. The county
is one funding source which helps in offsetting some of the costs for a full-time International Trade Specialist based
in Erie. Modeled after this successful satellite office in Erie, a part-time satellite office was opened this year at
Penn-Northwest, Mercer County. The International Trade Specialist at this office is focusing on increased outreach in both Mercer and Lawrence counties, in addition to representing the full array of Commission services.
The international marketing program of the Northwest Commission is consistently evolving to meet the needs of
the region. The Commission brings buyers to the doorsteps of regional hardwood lumber and secondary wood
product companies right here in Northwest Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania companies opened their doors in June
2007, inviting 11 foreign buyers to the region to discuss opportunities to sell their product overseas. Eighteen
foreign trade consultants, under contract with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, joined the Northwest
Commission in Eriefor “Pennsylvania International Week” hosted in co-sponsorship with the Northwest Industrial
Resource Center and First Energy in September 2007. Thirty-four companies took advantage of one-on-one
meetings with the trade representatives to discuss market opportunities.
90
534
Participants
Trained
Jobs Created
or Retained
612
$197M
Counseling
Sessions
Total Regionwide Export
Sales
In December 2007, the Northwest Commission in cooperation
with the Center for Trade Development, organized a
Pennsylvania Pavilion at EuroMold 2007, held in Frankfurt, Germany. The EuroMold is a world fair for mold making, tooling,
and application development, serving an industry cluster which
is well- represented in the northwest region.
The international marketing program submitted 36 Market
Access Grant applications to the state which provided for
$128,255 in grant funding throughout the region.
This year the International Marketing Program provided 612
counseling sessions to clients, offered five training events,
attended by 90 participants. Region-wide reported export sales
totaled $197,000,000.
The Northwest Commission launched its
business attraction program in 2005
with the development of the first regional
sites and buildings web-based search
tool, www.selectPAgreatlakes.com. The
business attraction team focuses on
marketing the region to site selectors and
key corporate decision makers from
around the globe. Data gathering is
a crucial aspect of the program, and staff
are constantly updating information on the
website, on related marketing materials,
and industry reports customized to the
prospect’s needs.
Keys to Our Success
Trade show participation and sponsorship is in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and First
Energy Corporation. The Northwest Commission thanks these important partners. Through joint
participation at these major venues, the Commission is able to invite county economic development partners to
attend at little or no additional cost.
The Northwest Commission also entered into an agreement with the Penn State Data Center to update
demographic data kept on the regional industrial and commercial property online data
base, www.selectPAgreatlakes.com.
selectPAgreatlakes.com received over 286,000 hits this year. In efforts to boost business attraction and sourcing from northwestern Pennsylvania businesses, the Northwest Commission had representation at four trade
shows in 2007, including the CoreNet trade shows in Denver and Atlanta, the Medical Device Manufacturing
Show-East in New York City, and the Food Processing and
Machinery Show in Las Vegas.
Other economic incentives, such as tax abatements offered
with the Keystone Opportunity Zone program, help in making
northwest Pennsylvania more attractive for business growth.
Currently 285 companies are located in the region’s 72
Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZs). To date, the total
capital investment as reported by KOZ companies totaled
$322,148,509.
Of the192 contacts made this year, the Northwest Commission received 54 leads, sent 67 proposals, and hosted 23
prospects in the region.
Erin Chorney and the Pennsylvania team at
CoreNet Global Conference, Denver. Also pictured:
Linda Nitch, Lawrence County (second from left)
15 .....................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
Keys to Our Success
As the Commission began 2007 with a strategic
goal of developing a consortium of universities to
explore economic development initiatives and
emerging technologies, the opportunity of a regional
Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) presented itself to
numerous educational and economic partners within
northwest Pennsylvania.
Independent efforts in four separate counties were
combined to strengthen the case for KIZ approval.
During this planning process, ideas, goals, projects
and assets were shared among the key
stakeholders, marking the first time in at least
recent history that leaders at Thiel College,
Allegheny College, Clarion University, and the
University of Pittsburgh at Titusville met at one
discussion table.
The results were common objectives and a united
front toward one KIZ designation, with the
Northwest Commission as the applicant. That
vision was verified in October by the Ben Franklin
Technology Development Authority’s approval of the
29th KIZ in the Commonwealth, the Northwest PA
KIZ.
The goals for Year 1 of the Northwest PA KIZ
program include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
KIZ Board of Directors Meeting
•
Provide outreach and business assistance
to up to 20 companies.
Create four start-up businesses in the
Zone.
Create between 15-20 full-time jobs.
Retain 15-20 full-time employees.
Provide research support to 50 entrepreneurs, via entrepreneurial infrastructure.
Provide intellectual property assistance.
File three patent applications.
Place 10-15 interns at KIZ companies.
Develop between two and four student
teams to assist with KIZ development and
foster community activity.
Facilitate five new projects that lead to corporate partnerships/research contracts with
KIZ academic partners.
Publish or air at least 12 articles on
entrepreneurs.
Facilitate the infusion of up to $500,000 in
KIZ companies and/or KIZ-related projects
in the Zone.
“Without the building and loan program that you
offer, our recent expansion would have been much
more costly for our company, and we would have
been required to downsize the expansion that we
so greatly need in order to serve our customers’
growing needs, and to be able to employ additional
staff in order to meet those needs. The tightening
of profit in domestic manufacturing requires that we
watch every penny to keep the bottom line in the
black, and your services and programs continue to
allow us to ride on the positive side of the precipice
for financial success.”
David Jepson, Jepson Precision Tool, Inc.,
Cranesville
“The low interest and business friendly loan
assistance provided by the Commission have
allowed us to create over 20 new jobs in our
Meadville facility, install state of the art
manufacturing facilities in advance of market
demand, and establish an operation with a
significant cost and service advantage.”
Michael Dent, Optical Filters, Meadville
“I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of
the great service we received from the Northwest
Commission’s International Marketing Program. As
an emerging small business seeking to grow and
expand globally, we are faced with many demands
and challenges, many of which are just having the
resources needed. We appreciate the huge effort
and quality services the Northwest Commission provided to us through this program, and we couldn’t
be more thankful to have the availability to a
program such as this to assist us with achieving
our future goals.”
Dan Hoversten, Salvage Direct, Inc., Titusville
“The support that we received from The Northwest
Commission and in particular Dorte Heffernan was
excellent. Her assistance was invaluable, both in
the preparation stage for the show (Euromold 2007)
and with assistance during the show as well as
setting up before hand and tearing down afterwards.
Thank you!”
“We worked closely with Daryl Coyne, the Manager
of Loan Programs at the Commission. My fiancée
and I are young business owners and often are not
treated with the same respect other business
owners receive, but Daryl showed us the same
professionalism as any other client. It was a great
experience and ultimately we were awarded the
microloan to purchase our equipment.”
Jason Howles, Jason Howles Landscaping,
Meadville
“The Northwest Commission was able to help us
get set up on the Bid Match System. This system
matches our companies profile and products to
branches of the government seeking these products.
During 2007, employees were able to attend the
Veteran’s Business Seminar in February and the
Wide Area Workflow Training in September. Both
programs were offered by the Northwest
Commission to give local businesses more
information on doing business with the government.
The training opportunities and the Bid Match
assistance offered by the Northwest Commission
are useful tools for local businesses.”
Kenneth Fisher, Great Lakes Automation
Services, Inc., Erie
“The personnel in the Government Contracts
Program assisted us by reviewing our company
profile and making several suggestions so that we
could improve our ability to receive information on
those government contracts that were more in line
with our business, a significant time saver in light of
the number of requests for quotes put out by
government entities. The Government Contracts
personnel were also able to direct us to Penn State
Erie, the Behrend College, for a course in RFID and
UPC tracking so that we could learn more about
these requirements when selling to the government.
Overall, the services of the Government Contracting
Program of the Northwest Commission have been
invaluable to our business.”
Glenda Blinn, Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.,
Ellwood City
Jack Jaeger, X-Cell Tool and Mold, Erie
organizational development
The process through which an organization develops the internal capacity to be the most
effective it can be in its mission work and to sustain itself over the long term.
..................
The Northwest Commission’s Organizational Development department is a
crucial part of the organizational structure and centers on communicating
effectively with the Board of Directors, staff, elected officials, public and
private sectors, and partners in economic development. Executive staff are charged
with the maintenance of information, as well as the conceptual
development of all promotional projects.
Organizational development is a continuous process that engages everyone to
ensure a quality workplace is cultivated, resulting in strategic progress and
improvement.
..................
The organizational development department consists of Fiscal, Human Resources, Public Relations and
Marketing teams who lend fiscal, employee, and creative support to ensure staff
have the tools and resources necessary
to succeed.
Fiscal staff are accountable for the monetary systems
within the organization. They administer all program
budgets and are directly responsible for the submis
sion of any financial documentation required by each
funding source.
Human resources staff work with employees to create a success
ful work environment by providing proper compliance information to each
employee as well as coordinating staff training, including topics such as team
building, communication, and management.
Public relations and marketing staff assist in gaining brand recognition, message buy-in, and strong communication to
the public and private sectors. Public relations and marketing staff are also responsible for developing the annual report
each year. They work to promote the Northwest Commission services, partners, and the northwest region.
Keys to Our Success
Organizational development staff rely on feedback from all staff, the board of directors, and various stakeholders to help
determine what marketing efforts should be undertaken, what assistance can be provided to partners, and what the staff
need in order to do their jobs better.
Public relations and marketing staff coordinate, oversee and measure organizational advertising and media opportunities. Some of these are: program trainings/events, press releases, newsletters, the Commission website,
legislative visits, strategic plan, business attraction promotion, the annual report, and annual dinner. Throughout
2007, the organizational staff continued with conducting check presentations to local businesses and municipalities, spreading awareness of growth within the region. The Legislative Bulletin is prepared quarterly so that stakeholders, particularly legislators, are aware of how funding is being utilized on a county basis.
The Executive Director oversees all human resource initiatives and works with the HR consultant and staff to
maintain a quality work environment through professional development. Several initiatives that were accomplished
this year include: updating the employee handbook; in-depth supervisory training for new supervisors; compliance
training to include HIPPA, drug-free workplace and sexual harassment; review and update of the SWOT analysis;
a 2-day staff retreat focusing on HR policies, team-building exercises and strategic planning; updated job position
profiles and creation of profiles for new positions; enhanced interviewing and hiring process; benchmarked job
positions to evaluate competiveness on compensation; increased internal awareness on programs and services;
and, a 2-day board retreat focusing on the 2007 Strategic Plan.
Fiscal Overview
As a recipient of funding from federal, state and local sources, the Northwest Commission is subject to numerous audit
requirements. Annually, an independent certified public accounting firm performs a financial and compliance audit.
The audit is performed in accordance with (1) auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, (2)
standards applicable to financial audits contained in “Government Auditing Standards” issued by the Comptroller General
of the United States, and (3) OMB Circular A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.”
Additionally, many state grants require separate program-specific audits as a part of the grant closeout process.
The Northwest Commission’s most recent audit was for the fiscal year which ended September 30, 2007. It was
performed by May & Company, a CPA firm located in Oil City. That audit indicated that there were no reportable
conditions relative to internal control over financial reporting or federal awards compliance. Additionally, there were no
compliance findings relative to either the financial statements or the federal awards.
Appalachian Regional Commission
Enterprise Development...........................................................................................................$400,000
Local Development District.........................................................................................................87,290
Energy.......................................................................................................................................15,463
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration.................................................................................................56,000
U.S. Department of Defense
Procurement Technical Assistance.......................................................................................................154,650
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration.....................................................................................................230,136
U.S Small Business Administration
Microloan Technical Assistance..............................................................................................................67,500
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Enterprise Development..............................................................................................................827,264
eCommonwealth.......................................................................................................................42,558
International Trade Development...................................................................................................85,000
Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone................................................................................................16,667
Shared Municipal Services...................................................................................................................15,463
Broadband Outreach....................................................................................................................118,600
Keystone Innovation Zone.................................................................................................................10,500
First Industries Planning..................................................................................................................26,675
Energy Program..............................................................................................................................15,463
Land Use Planning.............................................................................................................................31,000
PA Department of Transportation
Transportation Planning...............................................................................................................17,392
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Greenways Planning.......................................................................................................................50,000
Erie County
International Trade Development......................................................................................................50,000
County Support
County Dues...................................................................................................................................45,599
Greenways Planning.....................................................................................................................10,000
Keystone Innovation Zone..............................................................................................................6,500
Total Program Funds...............................................................................................................................2,379,720
The Northwest Commission was pleased to host
its annual dinner event on February 8, 2007,
at the Cross Creek Resort located in
Titusville.
2007 Awards
Business of the Year:
AlturnaMats, Titusville, Crawford County
On February 8, 2007, the Northwest Commission held
its second annual dinner, joined by 200 guests. At the
dinner, the 2006 annual report, “Extending our Reach,”
was released which focused on the Northwest
Commission’s collaborative efforts with other local, state,
federal, and global entities as well as the resulting
impacts in the region. Awards were given to recognize
outstanding partners, clients, and board leaders.
Partner of the Year:
First Energy Corporation
Highlights of the evening included a special 40th
anniversary presentation and award presentations.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Local Government of the Year:
Monroe Township, Clarion County
Board Leadership: Jake Rouch, Erie
Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Gold:
Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Citizens Bank
First Energy Corp.
First National Bank
J.L. Nick and Associates
National Fuel
Northwest Industrial Resource Center
Northwest Savings Bank
PNC Bank
Silver:
Design Nine, Inc.
eBizITPA
Gannon SBDC
Keller Engineers
May and Company
McCormick Taylor
Bronze:
Gannett Fleming
Meyer, Unkovic & Scott
National City Bank
Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative
Pashek & Associates
Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
“I am pleased to participate as a sponsor for your
3rd Northwest Commission Annual Dinner. This is a
great opportunity to network with local public
officials, economic development directors, and
important people from the private sector. It is also a
great opportunity to get the Lee Simpson
Associate’s name in front of all of the people, some
of whom could become new clients.
Since we have the airport clients in the Northwest
Region, we feel we are active members of the
region. For me, this is a major marketing event in
the Northwest Counties. It is the only event that
covers a wide range of potential business in eight
counties.”
Bill Sprague, Lee Simpson Associates
“The Northwest Commission’s Northwest News and
Legislative Bulletin are outstanding information resources that are provided to the stakeholders and
the public about the services the Commission provides to the Northwest Region. The Northwest News
provides a short monthly update on what the
Commission’s programs are working on throughout
the region-a great way for businesses and governments to find out about trainings, seminars, and other
services offered by the Commission. Meanwhile,
the Legislative Bulletin provides quarterly information that is organized by county. I find it extremely
helpful to read up on what the Commission is doing
in my home area. Both documents are an excellent
information source about what is being done to help
the local businesses and municipalities within Northwest Pennsylvania.”
Jake Rouch, Erie Regional Chamber and
Growth Partnership
“The Northwest Commission has the ability to
continually provide, not only to the Board, but to the
businesses and industry in the northwest
region, critical information pertaining to a vast array
of services, projects and programs that they
oversee. At any point in time, you are assured that
you have received up-to-the minute details of any and
all projects from the Commission. The people responsible for these programs are truly the best in
their fields and I am very honored and pleased to say
that they represent us.”
Donna Hartle, Clarion County Commissioner
“I look forward to receiving the e-mail updates from
the Northwest Commission. As board members, it
is imperative that we attempt to stay current on the
activities of a very active staff. Through the Northwest News and the Legislative Bulletin, I feel that I
am getting the up-to-date information in a succinct
and timely fashion. Keeping members current is a
difficult task, but we all benefit when lines of communication are open and ongoing.”
Mary Ann Yochim, National Fuel
“Venango Chamber members joined in celebrating
the 40th Anniversary of the Northwest Commission
during a well-attended Chamber Mixer in May. Along
with the opportunity to network with other
members, attendees had the chance to view
displays from Northwest Commission clients and
see why “You can make it here!”
Susan Williams, Venango Area Chamber of
Commerce
“I would like to express my thanks to your staff,
especially the Marketing department. I recently
worked with them on a marketing assistance project.
They were able to take my information and turn it
into a Cover Letter and a Marketing Plan. I really
needed help, and the Northwest Commission’s staff
was ready and able.”
Chuck Martino, Martino’s Food Services
hgfdhgdfhgdf
Larry Adams
Adams,, Central Electric Cooperative
Commissioner Basil Huffman
Huffman,, Forest County
Charlie Anderson
Anderson,, Meadville-Western Crawford Area Chamber
of Commerce
Emmanuel Marshall
Marshall,, Labor Representative
Thomas McKinley
McKinley,, Little Neshannock Technologies
Commissioner Brian Beader
Beader,, Mercer County
Deborah Plant
Plant,, Mercer County Chamber of Commerce
Commissioner John Bortz
Bortz,, Warren County (Jan.-Oct.)
Jake Rouch
Rouch,, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth
Partnership
Commissioner Steve Craig
Craig,, Lawrence County
Gerald Cussins
Cussins,, Private Citizen
Diane Shawley
Shawley,, Warren County Visitors Bureau
Jim Decker, Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry
County Executive Mark DiVecchio
DiVecchio,, Erie County
Neil Todhunter
Todhunter,, UPMC Northwest
Commissioner John Eggleston
Eggleston,, Warren County (Oct.-Dec)
Councilman Joseph Giles
Giles,, Erie County
Dan Glotz
Glotz,, Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission
Commissioner Donna Hartle
Hartle,, Clarion County
Commissioner Sue Smith
Smith,, Venango County
Commissioner Morris Waid
Waid,, Crawford County
Melvin Witherspoon
Witherspoon,, PA Department of the Auditor
General
Maryann Yochim
Yochim,, National Fuel
Officers of the Board
Chairperson
Chairperson: Commissioner Basil Huffman
Chairperson: Commissioner Donna Hartle
Vice Chairperson
Secretary
Secretary: Commissioner Sue Smith
Treasurer
Treasurer: Commissioner Brian Beader
Travel and Tourism Committee
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Tom Alcorn, PennDOT District 1-0
John Aldrich, Warren County Transit Authority
Marilyn Black, Oil Region Alliance
Harold Bloomgren, Northwest Engineering, Inc.
Roy Brant, Crawford County Planning Commission
Howard Brush, Governor’s Northwest Regional Office
Doug Carlson, Forest County Planning Commission
Lynn Cochran, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce
David Cook, PennDOT District 10
Dominic DeMarinis, Senator Mary Jo White’s Regional Office
Judy Downs, Venango County Regional Planning Commission
Doug Dupnock, PennDOT District 10
Tracy Frampton, Engineering, Architectural & Design Services
Timothy Geibel, Crawford Area Transportation Authority
Dan Glotz, Warren County Planning & Zoning Commission
Adam Grimes, PennDOT Center for Program Development &
Management
Mariah Hanson, PennDOT District 1-0
James Hepler, PennDOT District 1-0
David Hildebrand, City of Warren
Commissioner Basil Huffman, Forest County
Timothy Jablunosky, PennDOT District 10
Terrance Keefer, PennDOT District 1-0
Jack Lynch, Crawford County Planning Commission
Kevin McCullough, PennDOT Center for Program Development
& Management
Erin Moyers, PennDOT District 1-0
Jim Ostergard, Private Citizen
William Petit, PennDOT 1-0
John Phillips, Oil Region Alliance
Commissioner Jack Preston, Crawford County
Kevin Reichard, Clarion County Planning Commission
Twila Rifenberrick, Clarion County Planning Commission
Jerry Schill,Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce
Sandi Shannon, Warren County Transit Authority
Commissioner Sue Smith, Venango County
David Sterrett, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
C.J. Tisi, Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Commissioner Morris Waid, Crawford County
Christopher Walston, FHWA
Jake Welsh, Erie County Planning Commission
Juanita Hampton, Crawford County Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Peggy Mazyck, Mercer County Convention and Visitors
Bureau
JoAnn McBride, Lawrence County Tourist Promotion
Agency
Dave Morris, Northwest PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau
John Oliver, Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Diane Shawley, Warren County Visitors Bureau
Betty Squire, Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry
and Tourism
Technology Advisory Group (TAG)
Alan Fuller, Warren Electric Cooperative
Chris Panian, Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Dan Glotz, Warren County Planning & Zoning
Commission
Dominic DeMarinis, Senator White’s Regional Office
Commissioner Donna Hartle, Clarion County
Farley Wright, Forest Co Industrial Dev Corp
Commissioner Gary Hutchison, Venango County
Linda King, Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative
Luc Miron, DCED
Mark DeFalco, Appalachian Regional Commission
Mike Glazer, Congressman Peterson’s Office
Perry Wood, Technology Council of Northwest PA
Ron May, Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT
Sam Plumer, Software Technology Concepts
Stephanie Deal, Central Electric Cooperative
Tom Dimperio, Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative
John Stroup, Clarion Hospital Foundation
NWPA Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ)
Board of Directors
Mike Allyn, Titusville Redevelopment Authority
Erin Chorney, Northwest Commission
Brad Ehrhart, Clarion County EDC
Amara Geffen, Allegheny College
Jennifer Groleau, Greenville Neuromodulation Services
Joseph Grunenwald, Clarion University
Scott Hartle, Thiel College
Art Heckathorn, National City Bank
Chuck Jenkins, National Tooling & Machining
Assoc., NWPA Chapter
Jim Lowry, Greenville Economic Development Corp.
Dave Pascale, Penelec-First Energy Corp.
William Shields, University of Pittsburgh, Titusville
Tracey Shultz, Northwest Savings Bank
Marc Templin, Bright Settings
Commissioner Morris Waid, Crawford County
Michele Zieziula, NWPA Workforce Investment Board
Loan Committee
Eugene A. Cirka, National City Bank of
Pennsylvania
William DeLuca, Jr., Erie Bank
Richard L. Sherbondy, PNC Bank
Ronald E. Wig, Financial Consultant
John R. Stiller, Northwest Savings Bank
Melvin Witherspoon, PA Dept. of Auditor General
Commissioner Basil Huffman, Forest County
Mark Mehlenbacher, CPA
Betty A. Reynolds, Citizens Bank
Chris Zerbe, First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Energy Advisory Committee
Amy McKinney, Lawrence County Planning
Commission
Scott Swartzfager, National Fuel
Commissioner John Eggleston, Warren County
Chris Panian, Central Electric Cooperative
Kathy Greely, Commonwealth Community
Energy Project
Geoff Bristow, Dept. of Environmental Protection
Jay Schenck, PennTAP
Jack Watts, NWIRC
Tom Surman, Vantage Healthcare
Dave Pascale, Penelec
Ken Borland, Millcreek School District
John Phillips, Oil Region Alliance
Alan Fuller, Warren Electric Cooperative
William Kaufman, Riverview Intermediate Unit 6
Paul Bylaska, Clarion University
Jim Kosko, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
JR Nordstrom, Gannon SBDC
Economic Development Committee
Brad Ehrhart, Clarion County Economic
Development Corporation
Jim Decker, Warren County Chamber of
Business & Industry
Linda Nitch, Lawrence County Economic
Mark Turner, Crawford County Economic
Progress Alliance
Jake Rouch, Erie Regional Chamber and
Growth Partnership
Scott Henry, Forest County Industrial
Larry Reichard, Penn Northwest Development
Corporation
Randy Seitz, Oil Region Alliance
Planners Committee
Dan Glotz, Warren County Planning and
Zoning Commission
Doug Carlson, Forest County Planning Commission
Twila Rifenberrick, Clarion County Planning
Commission
Judy Downs, Venango County Regional Planning
Commission
Frank Gingras, Lawrence County Planning Commission
Dan Gracenin, Mercer County Regional Planning
Commission
Jack Lynch, Crawford County Planning Commission
Jake Welsh, Erie County Planning Commission
Chris Beichner, Director, Community Development & Planning (x101)
[email protected]
*Lori Kenyon, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Vonda Caldwell, Senior Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
John Klinger, Loan Specialist (x130)
[email protected]
Garrett Carulli, Assistant Fiscal Manager
[email protected]
(x106)
(x120)
(x104)
Denise McCloskey, Executive Director
[email protected]
(x123)
Erin Chorney, Director, Business & Economic Development (x116)
[email protected]
Lori Mild, Loan Servicer (x115)
[email protected]
Daryl Coyne, Manager, Loan Programs (x112)
[email protected]
Darlene Plyler, Fiscal Manager (x119)
[email protected]
Amber Dille, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Randy Rice, Manager, Community Development (x122)
[email protected]
(x100)
Claudia Garcia, International Trade Specialist
[email protected]
Ethel Rodebaugh, Administrative Assistant (x113)
[email protected]
Matt Gilara, GISP, Manager, Regional Planning (x102)
[email protected]
Thomas Sanchez, Community Development Specialist (x109)
[email protected]
Candace Glover, Government Contracting Specialist (x107)
[email protected]
Travis Siegel, Marketing Specialist (x103)
[email protected]
Ned Goucher, Senior Director, Organizational Development (x108)
[email protected]
Bob Skarada, Manager, Infrastructure Development (x111)
[email protected]
Valerie Hearn, Energy Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Sue Smith, Manager, Business Development (x131)
[email protected]
(x124)
Dorte Heffernan, CGBP, Manager, International Trade (x110)
[email protected]
Wayne Williamson, Manager, Government Contracting
[email protected]
Katarina Ishman, International Trade Specialist (x117)
[email protected]
Sam Wilson, Public Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
(x121)
(x105)
*Not pictured
‘07 impact report
The Northwest Commission is committed to working diligently in each
county and has been able to assist in various ways depending on
their needs.
The Impact Summary reflects the impact the Northwest Commission has had in each county over the last year. This data
reflects companies worked with, total amount of public dollars
invested in projects, as well as loan amounts awarded and
international and government sales obtained by the companies. The Impact Summary also accounts for the number of
jobs created, retained, or promised as a result of assistance
received from the Northwest Commission.
Total Jobs
Business Financing
170 Jobs Promised
588 Jobs Retained
279 Jobs Created
66 Jobs Retained
192 Jobs Created
342 Jobs Retained
All American Awards & Engraving
L.J. Snyder Enterprises
Shirey Overhead Doors
Transportation
Public Dollars Invested: $7,483,525
Business Financing
Total Loan Dollars: Confidential
Clarion Cabinetry Inc.
ARC
The Northwest Commission awarded the Clarion University
Foundation a $50,000 grant to be used in the construction
of a 22,000-square foot building with 13,333-square feet
of business incubation space. The Clarion University
Biotechnology Business Development Center and
Incubator, a Keystone Innovation Zone site, will be located
in the Trinity Point Technology Park and will accommodate start-up technology firms in biotech and other
high-tech firms.
ARC Funding: $25,000
Foxburg Master Plan
Local Governments Assisted
Ashland Township
Clarion Borough
Clarion Township
Farmington Township
Highland Township
Knox Borough
Knox Township
Licking Township
Limestone Township
Monroe Township
Paint Township
Perry Township
Piney Township
Porter Township
Redbank Township
Rimersburg Borough
Shippenville Borough
The Northwest Commission co-sponsored the 2nd Annual
Northwest Pennsylvania GIS Conference held on October
19th at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The conference
was made up of presentations from a variety of GIS and
geospatial fields. There were over 100 guests with 11
exhibitors in attendance.
Total Sales: $16,187,932
Acutec Precision Machining, Inc.
Alturnamats, Inc.
Chipblaster
Leech Industries, Inc.
MAJR Products Corp.
Optical Filters USA, LLC
Penn-Sylvan International
Salvage Direct
Tech Molded Plastics
Viking Tool & Gage, Inc.
Wilson Hardwood, Inc.
East Mead Township
Athens Township
Greenwood Township
Beaver Township
Linesville Borough
Bloomfield Township
North Shenango Township
Cambridge Township
Pine Township
City of Meadville
Randolph Township
Conneaut Lake Borough
Rome Township
Conneaut Township
Sadsbury Township
Conneautville Borough
Saegertown Borough
Cussewago Township
Sparta Township
East Fairfield Township
Spring Township
East Fallowfield Township
Springboro Borough
Steuben Township
Summerhill Township
Townville Borough
Venango Township
Vernon Township
Wayne Township
West Mead Township
Woodcock Borough
Total Sales: $40,000
Acutec Precision Machining, Inc.
Alturnamats, Inc.
Copy-Right Digital Imaging
Graham Tech Design, Inc.
GSG Manufacturing, Inc.
Hill Precision Mfg., Inc.
Shorts Tool & Mfg., Inc.
Tool City Welding LLC
U.S. Bronze Foundry & Machine, Inc.
Vantage Healthcare Network
ARC
ARC Funding: $105,368
Keystone Industrial Park
Business Financing
Total Loan Dollars: $1,011,300
Irwin Farm
Jason Howles Landscaping
Leech, Inc.
Log Hard Premium Pellets, Inc.
Moon tool & Die Company, Inc.
Nye’s Marina Service LTD
Shorts Tool & MFG, Inc.
Westford Milling Co.
Transportation
Senator Bob Robbins and Rep. Michele Brooks
present a check to Industrial Truck & Crane, Inc.
Industrial Truck & Crane, Inc., a division of Graff
Diversified, was presented with a check for a loan the
company closed on for $150,000 from the
Economic Development Administration/Revolving
Loan Fund. The loan was used to purchase a 175-ton
all-terrain crane, which will allow the company to be a
full-service crane rental company. The new crane is
the largest all-terrain crane in the Cleveland-PittsburghBuffalo area. Larger cranes are essential to modular
housing installers,industrial contractors, and industrial
facilities. This size of crane could only be found in larger
cities previously. Industrial Truck & Crane currently
employs four and will create three additional jobs as a
result of the loan.
28 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
American Hollow Boring Company
American Lumber Company
Automation Devices, Inc.
Bio Preserve
Chroma Logic
Clarke Container, Inc.
CMI Energy EPTI
Composiflex, Inc.
Conrader
Corry Manufacturing Co.
Corry Micronics
Cybersonic
DeRose Designs
Duratite Systems
Erie Aviation, Inc.
Erie Bearings, Inc.
Erie Press Systems
Erisco Industries
Execumold, Inc.
Finish Thompson, Inc.
Flexi-Hinge Valve Co.
Fluid Engineering
Great Lakes Automation Service, Inc.
Great Lakes Case & Cabinet
Harrison Machine Company, LLC
Huber Reversible Fan, Inc.
Indeck Keystone Energy, LLC
Industrial Sales and Manufacturing,
Inc.
Jones, Ron Hardwood Sales, Inc.
Logistics Plus, Inc.
Maxpro Technologies, Inc.
McInnes Rolled Rings
Merit Tool Company, Inc.
Mikron Value & Manufacturing, Inc.
Modern Industries, Inc.
North Coast Plastics, Inc.
North Coast Tool, Inc.
NUVO, Inc.
Penn Union Corporation
Pinnacle Plastics, Inc.
PSB Industries, Inc.
Railroad Hybrid Technologies Corp.
Rogers Brothers Corporation
S and S Packaging
Skinner Power Systems, LLC
Snap Tite, Inc.
Spinworks LLC
Suburban Tool and Die Co., Inc.
Sunburst Electronics, Inc.
Thompson Maple Products, Inc.
Tonnard Mfg. Corp
Vert Markets
VPI Acquisition Corporation
Wire Weld USA, Inc.
X-Cell Tool and Mold, Inc.
Zurn Industries
Accutool
American Hollow Boring Company
Bollinger Technical Services
BTC Solutions Inc.
Corco Industries
Corry Manufacturing Co.
Corry Micronics
Custom Engineering Company
Erie Forge & Steel, Inc.
Erisco Industries
Finish Thompson, Inc.
Flexi-Hinge Valve Co.
Forte Marketing
Glenn Electric Heater Corp.
Jones Internet Solutions
Keystone University Research Corp.
Kimkopy Printing
KML Machinery & Supplies
Lawrie Technology, Inc.
McGregor Construction, Inc.
North Coast Tool, Inc.
Northwest Beacon Group LLC
Pinnacle Plastics, Inc.
Quantum Plating
Railpower Hybrid Technologies, Inc.
Roberts Trucking
S and S Packaging
Snap Tite, Inc.
Software Technology Concepts
Swanson Boat Co., Inc.
Tonnard Mfg. Corp.
Business Financing
Total Loan Dollars: $2,752,510
Accudyn Products, Inc.
American Tinning & Galvanizing
Candy’s Notary Services
DHSteel Products LLC
Diversified Manufacturing Systems, Inc.
EPC Powder Manufacturing, Inc.
Healthcare Lighting, Inc.
Horsepower, Inc.
Matrix Tool, Inc.
Micro Weld America, Inc.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Munot Plastics, Inc.
Romolo Chocolates, Inc.
Sandcille, Inc.
Sterling Technologies, Inc.
Thorton Industries, Inc.
TM Industrial Supply, Inc.
World Gutter Systems, Inc.
Albion Borough
Amity Township
Conneaut Township
Cranesville Borough
Edinboro Borough
Elgin Borough
Fairview Township
Franklin Township
Girard Township
Greenfield Township
Lake City Borough
LeBoeuf Township
McKean Township
North East Borough
North East Township
Venango Township
Washington Township
Waterford Township
Wattsburg Borough
Wayne Township
Wesleyville Borough
Transportation
Total Sales: Confidential
VEE
ARC
ARC Funds: $140,000
Forest County Tourism Initiatives
Barnett Township
Harmony Township
Howe Township
Tionesta Borough
Tionesta Visitors Center
In response to Forest County’s designation as a distressed county by the Appalachian Regional Commission
(ARC), funding has been awarded for the following projects:
The first project will focus on the downtown revitalization of both the Borough of Tionesta and the Village of
Marienville. To proceed with the revitalization, there needs to be a professional strategy for the physical
changes which need to take place that will make Tionesta and Marienville quality entry points for tourists
coming into the county. A plan will be developed by a professional consultant who is familiar with downtown
revitalization concepts.
Another component of the funding is the Wayfinding activities. This includes the strategic placement of
signage on the main routes entering Tionesta and Marienville. These signs will enhance the area’s distinctive
charm while identifying natural and economic assets and encouraging extended and/or return visits. Funding
will also be used for two computer kiosks, one in Marienville, and one in Tionesta, and interactive digital
displays at the Tionesta Visitors Center.
The last component of the ARC funding will be used for the renovation of the Tionesta Visitors Center. Renovations will include improvements to the interior including restrooms for disabled persons, air conditioning and
heating, new windows, and siding for the exterior of the building.
Berner International Corp
Industrial Tube Cleaning, Inc.
International Plastics and Equipment
International Track Systems, Inc.
IPEC
Berner International Corp
Harbor Steel
PABCOR, Inc.
RAR Engineering Group
Video Guy Bob Multimedia
Ellwood City Borough
Hickory Township
New Beaver Borough
North Beaver Township
Perry Township
Scott Township
Slippery Rock Township
Union Township
The gristmill and dam located in Volant, PA
The Commission is working with the Volant Borough and the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation to secure funds for the reconstruction of the Volant dam. The project also entails the development of a
one acre park adjacent to the dam, and the purchase and installation of a turbine to generate electricity. The
reconstructed dam is necessary in order for the Volant Mill to become fully functional for grain and electricity
production.
Volant Borough is a shopping community with small businesses specializing in homemade arts, crafts, and
Amish goods. The gristmill currently houses several businesses, however does not function as a mill which
will enhance the borough’s reputation as a tourist destination.
Slippery Rock Township received a $1,000 grant through the Municipal Technology Assistance Program
(MTAP) offered at the Northwest Commission. When funding is available, the Northwest Commission sends
local governments an Internet Access and Web Development Grant application soliciting municipalities that
are interested in receiving a small grant for broadband internet access, website development, or both. In
2007, Slippery Rock Township was awarded $1,000 for both broadband internet access and website
development.
Barber’s Chemicals
Cattron, Inc.
Forta Corporation
Hot Pepper Wax
Kalco Metals
Novocell Semiconductor, Inc.
Penn-Ohio Trading Co.
Powered Aire, Inc.
Regenex Corporation
Shenango Steel Buildings, Inc.
Specialty Metal Products Company
Total Sales: $601,076
Combined Systems, Inc.
Hot Pepper Wax, Inc.
Powered Aire, Inc.
Regenex Corporation
Business Financing
Total Loan Dollars: $245,000
Imperial Systems, Inc.
Organics and You
Red Roo Catering
City of Hermitage
Coolspring Township
Deer Creek Township
Greenville Borough
Grove City Borough
Hempfield Township
Jackson Township
Liberty Township
New Vernon Township
Wilmington Township
Otter Creek Township
Perry Township
Pymatuning Township
Sandycreek Township
Sandy Lake Borough
Shenango Township
Sharpsville Borough
Sheakleyville Borough
South Pymatuning Township
Springfield Township
Wilmington Township
Wolf Creek Township
Worth Township
32
Larry Reichard and Katarina Ishman at the Mercer
County outreach office
The Northwest Commission has recently opened an outreach
office in Mercer County. Modeled after the successful
satellite office in Erie County, it will serve the Mercer and
Lawrence County area. The office is located within Penn
Northwest Development Corporation’s new office complex at
749 Greenville Road in Mercer. Katarina Ishman, International Trade Specialist, currently works there two days per
week. Additional staff will be utilizing the office on an as
needed basis. Thank you to Penn Northwest for partnering
with us on this great initiative!
.........................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission
Conair Group, Inc.
Dennis Farms
Franklin Industries
Hickman Lumber Company
Kapp Alloy and Wire
Liberty Electronics, Inc.
Oakland Products
Voyten Electric & Electronics
Anderson Metal Industries, Inc.
DJA Inspection Services
Franklin Industries
Liberty Electronics, Inc.
Oakland Products
Schake Industries
Stover Tree Service
Voyten Electric & Electronics
Business Financing
Total Loan Dollars: $639,700
Bibo’s Ice Cream
Dennis Farms, Inc.
French Creek Cafe, LLC
Graff Diversified, Inc.
KB Pizza, Inc.
R N Goss Gas Products Co.
Venango Steel, Inc.
Senator White, Representative Hutchinson, and Pete Winkler
join in the KB Pizza Check Presentation
The Northwest Commission presented KB Pizza with a check
in the amount of $123,700 for a Small Business First loan for
its expansion in Franklin. KB Pizza began operations in 1982
producing hand-made, pre-baked pizza crust. This expansion will create an additional four jobs for the company.
Transportation
Allegheny Township
Cherrytree Township
City of Franklin
City of Oil City
Cooperstown Borough
Cranberry Township
Emlenton Borough
Frenchcreek Township
Jackson Township
Mineral Township
Oakland Township
Oil Creek Township
Rockland Township
Rouseville Borough
Sandycreek Township
Scrubgrass Township
Sugarcreek Borough
Utica Borough
Barkeyville Borough Check Presentation
Barkeyville Borough received a $1,000 Municipal
Technology Assistance Program (MTAP) grant to obtain a broadband Internet connection, which will allow the borough to access
information much more quickly in responding to state and federal inquiries.
Betts Industries, Inc.
Bio Preserve
Ellwood National Forge
Great Lakes Custom Graphics
Petrex, Inc.
Allsound Group
Ellwood National Forge
Northwest Engineering Associates
Petrex, Inc.
Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.
Weldstar
Transportation
Brokenstraw Township
City of Warren
Clarendon Borough
Columbus Township
Deerfield Township
Eldred Township
Elk Township
Farmington Township
Freehold Township
Limestone Township
Mead Township
Pine Grove Township
Pittsfield Township
Pleasant Township
Sheffield Township
Southwest Township
Tidioute Borough
Watson Township
Youngsville Borough
Ellwood National Forge Company, located in Warren
County, has worked with the Northwest Commission’s
PTAC program since 1998. The company has had
great success in contracting to the federal government,
and this year has won five federal contracts, one
being a multi-year contract with an initial value of
approximately $86 million.
The Northwest Commission granted $50,000 of local funds to Warren County for an ongoing telecommunications project. Past efforts identified telecommunications needs throughout the county. At this point, it has
been determined that broadband internet access is a viable option for Warren. The county plans to build on
past work by creating a site map that will show where cable needs to be installed. In addition, engineering will
be provided, delineating fiber types and routes that will be required in providing service to Warren County.
34
...................................................................................................................................................................................www.nwcommission.org
..................
Serving the counties of Clarion, Crawford, Erie,
Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and
Warren since 1967.
..................
395 Seneca Street | PO Box 1127
Oil City, PA | 16301 | USA
P: 814.677.4800
F:814.677.7663
www.nwcommission.org

Untitled

Transcription

Similar documents

The Penn Township Campus Landscaping Beautification Project

Gary L. Brandt, Faculty Northwest Indian College, [email protected]

PC Minutes - Warwick Township

Northwest bands welcome special guests during upcoming concerts

Marketing Brochure

Northwest theatre students bring home awards, gear up for spring

PNACAC Ad Draft 2.2 - Idaho School Counselor Association

concertation tour of the ncc in the west and northwest regions

SCHOOLS CLOSED OR DELAYED

Township of Wall Regional Bike Path Central Section Map Map 3 of