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Business & Industry News — January/February 2012
REICHARD RETIRES AFTER 25 YEARS WITH PENN-
NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT
Mercer, PA - January 19, 2012. The Penn-Northwest Development Corporation announced today that long time Executive Director, Larry Reichard, will be officially retiring effective the end of January. “After a national search Reichard was selected as the first CEO of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation in 1986 and has served the Corporation and Mercer County well during his tenure as the executive director of the Corporation.” said Lew Kachulis recently elected Chairman of the Board.
During his 25 year tenure, Reichard successfully led the Corporation in over 420 industrial and commercial projects facilitating over $1 billion in new public and private investments in the County which created over 8,000 new jobs and assisted in the retention of thousands of others. The first project was the development of a 238,000 SF facility for Clairson International (recently Reynolds Packaging) on Rt. 208 in Grove City, and, ironically, the last under Reichard’s direction was the sale of the same facility to GE Transportation in December 2011. Notable projects include the Prime Outlets project in Grove City which has spawned several thousand retail and commercial jobs over the years in eastern Mercer County; and in 2010, ILSCO’s acquisition and rejuvenation of the Signature Aluminum Plant in Greenville. Under Reichard’s leadership, Penn-Northwest has directly assisted countless numbers of small businesses and industrial firms, the life blood of the local manufacturing economy, with direct development assistance and an array of support services.
In 1987, Penn-Northwest was awarded funding in the amount of $1 million annually for four years from the Department of Community and Economic Development Steel Valley Assistance program. Initial funding was used for specific community development projects and decisions were subsequently made by Penn-Northwest to capitalize what is currently known as the Mercer County Industrial Growth Fund, a low interest revolving loan fund that remains to this day available to support industrial and commercial development county wide. Over 100 loans valued at over $12 million have been made from the fund leveraging in excess of $100 millioni in new private investment in Mercer County.
In 1988, Reichard developed and initiated the Mercer County Business Retention and Expansion Program which became one of three prototypes in the Commonwealth for the Ridge Administration’s statewide business and retention calling initiatives. “With 85% of new jobs and investments derived from existing local business and industry in Mercer County, this was a critical initiative then and remains so now in expanding county wide job growth,” said Reichard. “The recent work with GE Transportation and their December announcements to expand in Grove City are a prime example of how critical work with local companies is in retaining and expanding job opportunities locally,” Reichard added.
Penn-Northwest has been recognized for its achievements throughout the years, including: In 1987, ’89, and ’90, Achievement Awards for local economic development initiatives by the National Association of Counties; in 2000, the PA Planning Association Outstanding Planning Award for collaborative planning and development of the Mercer County Strategy 1000 initiative; in 2002, Small Economic Development Agency of the Year by the PA Economic Development Association, in 2005, the Dominion Community Impact Award; in 2008, “Partner of the Year” by NW Commission.
In 2008, Reichard was honored with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, NAIOP, Pittsburgh Chapter’s “Supporter of Development” of the year award presented at the NAIOP annual awards banquet at the David Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
Under Reichard’s direction, Penn-Northwest acquired and developed the Stateline Industrial Park in Hermitage, and provided direct assistance to local Industrial Development Corporations and communities for the development of Reynolds East, LindenPointe, Broadway North and South Industrial Parks, and Cooper Industrial Commons, among others. “A key to future economic development success going forward will be the development of new parks and properties in proximity to the interstate corridors”, noted Reichard. “Like it or not we are in the real estate business and if we are to be successful having a quality inventory of facilities, parks, and properties to meet contemporary market demand is critical.”
“It was an honor to be selected as the Corporation’s first Executive Director in 1986,” said Reichard, “and the greatest reward is knowing that we were able to assist so many companies, large and small in their growth and development process over the years. My heartfelt thanks go out to the many local, regional, and state agencies, organizations, and professionals that we have partnered with over the years as it was through these valued collaborative and cooperative relationships that we were able to accomplish far more than Penn-Northwest could have ever accomplished on its own.”
PENN-NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NAMES NEW CEO
Mercer, PA. (December 1, 2011) – Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) has hired a new CEO to direct Mercer County’s lead economic development agency.
Randy Seitz is a veteran economic development leader, who has led regional economic development organizations in New York, Texas and Pennsylvania, and has most recently been the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism. With 18 years of experience in economic development, Randy has a proven track record of success in new industry recruitment, local industry retention/expansion, workforce development and international trade.
“Our search for the key position of CEO involved casting a wide net, looking at both local candidates and those from outside our region,” said Lew Kachulis, CEO of Gilbert’s Risk Solutions and Chairman of PNDC. “The search committee engaged a professional search firm, DHR International, and was comprised of PNDC Board members and community leaders who thoroughly reviewed the credentials of the finalists. Randy Seitz demonstrated the entrepreneurial leadership the organization was seeking along with experience in recruiting companies to Northwest Pennsylvania.”
“Our region and Mercer County has so much going for it,” said Kachulis. “The opportunity to take a leadership role in our region and to work closely with the region’s business, government and institutional leaders to accelerate new investment and job creation is very exciting. Places that are succeeding in their approach to economic growth are doing it very collaboratively on a regional level. Randy was the best candidate and his experiences aligned well with the direction that PNDC is heading.”
At the Oil Region Alliance, Seitz was recruited to lead the newly formed organization that was created from consolidation of four separate agencies. During his tenure, Seitz was successful in helping secure $60 million in capital investment for job creation and retention and $350,000 in state funding for local worker training and job placement assistance. Seitz was also successful in filling a regional industrial park that was vacant prior to his arrival. He currently serves on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Council on Rural Affairs and also served on Governor Corbett’s Transition Team to shape economic development reform. Randy and his wife, along with their two children currently live in Franklin. They plan to relocate to Mercer County.
Larry Reichard, current Executive Director of PNDC, announced his plans to retire earlier in the year. “Larry has served PNDC well since the corporation was established 25 years ago,” said Kachulis. “He is well respected for his accomplishments in economic development both regionally and statewide.” Reichard will continue to serve PNDC during a transition period. Seitz will take on his new role beginning January 1, 2012.
Business Journal Article Back to Top
GE TRANSPORTATION EXPANDS MANUFACTURING IN GROVE CITY
Grove City, PA (Dec. 27, 2011) - GE Transportation, the world's leading maker of rail, mining and transportation-related products, today announced plans to establish a new production facility in Grove City, PA in order to meet accelerating demand for remanufacturing services. The company will invest approximately $35 million to build capacity at a new diesel enginer remanufacturing plant. GE is investing an additional $37 million in 2011 and 2012 in the existing plant for a combined investment of $72 million in manufacturing in Grove City. The new facility will be located at an existing site where GE anticipates employing up to 250 employees by early 2013, including approximately 100 current GE employees who will transfer from the current Grove City facility. The Company plans to hire approximately 150 additional employees by early 2013. Production is scheduled to begin by the end of 2012. For complete news release, click here.
NEW SHARON REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER DEDICATED TO HONOR JAMES E. FEENEY The Sharon Regional Health System board of directors has named the new Technology Center at the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus in Hermitage the James E. Feeney Technology Center in honor of Feeney’s 34 years of service on the board (including 15 years as board chairman). A number of community business leaders attended an open house of the new Center on Tuesday where Sharon Regional representatives officially dedicated the building.
During the event, Sharon Regional chief executive officer Linde Finsrud Wilson welcomed the group followed by a presentation by Steve Gurgovits, vice chairman of the Sharon Regional board of directors, who recognized Feeney and dedicated the building in his honor. The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Gary Gulla, assistant manager and community development director for the city of Hermitage. The 5000 square foot James E. Feeney Technology Center will house all of the Health System’s informational technology components from the main Sharon campus as well as its 21 satellite locations and physician offices. The Center will feature the most advanced equipment and technology available for electronic medical records, data storage, and other information technology applications. For complete news release, click here.
Open for Business in Hermitage
Media Coverage: A Place to Create "Economic Magic" LindenPointe eCenter Opens in Hermitage Mercer County Dedicates New Business Incubator
City of Hermitage DVD Available The City of Hermitage has produced a promotional DVD presentation for the purpose of marketing the City to prospective residents, businesses and visitors alike. View the full Hermitage DVD on YouTube.com @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBodBdOWQ2s or order a DVD by mail by contacting: City of Hermitage
Gannon University SBDC Seminars: Thurs., Feb. 2, 2012 9:00 - 12:00 noon @ Gannon SBDC Office in Mercer
(Please note: Reservations are required for all seminars) For additional upcoming seminars, visit: Gannon SBDC Upcoming Seminars For additional information, contact:
SBA504 Program: Growing Small Businesses
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