Penn-Northwest Development Corporation Improved Convenience for Area Businesses in 2007

New Jobs Created Thanks to Streamlined Loan Processing

January 18, 2008 – In 2007, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation took valuable steps toward creation of the “one-stop-shop” that has been identified as an important component in the retention, expansion and attraction of business in the region.  In a spirit of collaboration and shared goals, Penn-Northwest moved to larger quarters to make room for other agencies, partnered with the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone and the Sharon Industrial Development Authority to consolidate the business loan application process into a single application, and worked with the Shenango Valley Foundation, Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corporation, and others to build a 13,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art training institute in Sharon.

The new location, The Penn-Northwest Professional Center, is on Greenville Road in Mercer.  In addition to the offices of Penn-Northwest, the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority, the Gannon Small Business Development Center, and the Northwest Industrial Resource Center, the new facility houses an outreach office of the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, specializing in international trade. 

Penn-Northwest and the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone, after virtually no lending activity during the previous 18 months, within the first six months of implementation of the new single loan application process, funded six projects for a total of $1.3 million, which resulted in over $4.7 million in new projects and creation of more than 91 new jobs. 

“By taking the hassle out of the loan process, it’s possible for more businesses to take advantage of the low-cost financing they need to expand,” noted Larry Reichard, Executive Director of Penn-Northwest.  “We anticipate that our success to date will encourage other lending authorities to join us.”

In December Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI) moved into its new quarters on Dock Street in Sharon.  The Meadville-based post-secondary training institution will provide training for a variety of manufacturing and office-related careers to meet the workforce needs of regional employers.

“This important work-force development facility will assure that workers at our local companies receive the training they, and their employers, need,” noted Reichard.  “It is also an important resource to make us more attractive to prospective new businesses.”

Other highlights from the year:

• Obtained $43,000 Re-use Grant to cover costs of an environmental assessment of Building #7 in the Greenville/Reynolds Industrial Park.  The building has been vacant for a number of years.  Once the assessment is complete, the Park administrators will be able to formulate a plan of action to make the building attractive and useful by prospective occupants.

• Completed infrastructure construction in the 82-acre Stateline Industrial Part, located at Exit 4, Interstate 80.  The Park’s first tenant, Genesis II, moved into its new facility in December.  The Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corporation has applied for funding from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) on behalf of Genesis II to finance 30% of facility development costs.

• In collaboration with the City of Sharon and the Department of Community and Economic Development, and other area officials and businesses, successfully completed the $700,000 Stewart Avenue road improvement project in only six months from conception to completion.  “In my over twenty years of economic development experience, I have never seen a project move this fast.  This was truly a team approach and shows what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Reichard.

•  The Business Expansion and Retention Program (BREP) that Penn-Northwest operates in collaboration with the County’s four Chambers of Commerce met and/or exceeded all standards and continue to rank among the most successful BREP programs in the Commonwealth.  In 2007, BREP called on 246 county businesses, and filed 93 customer action plans.

Collaboration Among Agencies and Governments

Streamlines Important Road Project

Stewart Avenue Road Improvement Project Completed in Six Months

January 2, 2008 – Evidence of the progress Mercer County has made in Economic Development for 2007 can be found on a half-mile stretch of Stewart Avenue in Sharon.  Thanks to the collaboration among the City of Sharon, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and other local businesses and officials, the $700,000 roadway improvement project was conceived, designed, funded and completed within six months.  The project improves access to the companies that use it, helps reduce costly repairs to vehicles, and enables potential growth at that location for such companies as Victor Printing and Chadderton Trucking.

“In my over twenty years of economic development experience in Mercer County, I have never before seen a project move this fast,” commented Larry Reichard, Executive Director of Penn-Northwest.  “I applaud the support we received from the Commonwealth, where the project was fast-tracked.  This was truly a team approach and shows what we can accomplish when we work cooperatively.”   It is a prime example of what can be accomplished when all parties work together to implement projects, and in this case, implement a project in a very short six month  time frame added Mayor Robert Lucas, City of Sharon.  

Stewart Avenue is positioned at the northern end of Duferco Farrell Corporation and is used by over 500 semi trucks every day.  The condition of the road had been such that the cost of repairs on the trucks that used it was becoming a serious detriment to doing business in that area – and thus a detriment to the economic development of the area. 

Key to the successful completion of the project were Governor Edward Rendell, United States Congressmen Phil English and Jason Altmire, State Senator Bob Robbins, State Representative Mark Longietti, Mayor Robert Lucas and the Sharon City Council.  Others included Howard Brush, Director of the Governor’s Northwest Regional Office; Tom Ehrensberger, Regional Director of the DCED Northwest Regional Office; Scott Dunkelberger, Chief Operating Officer for the Center of Business Financing of the DCED; Bill Petite, PennDOT; Paul Fiore, Bob Miller, Arvin Weisberg, and Tom Burke of Duferco Farrell; Joe Fragle, Director of Community Development; Winslow Engineering Services, and David Construction Company.

Tolls on Interstate 80 May Cost More than Price of Travel

Penn-Northwest Board Urges Legislature to Repeal Act 44 and U.S. Secretary of Transportation to Deny Application for Tolling

December 14, 2007 – Consider the potential ramifications of an over 200% increase in traffic on the Shenango Valley Freeway and other local roads.  That’s what happened in Ohio in 2003 when the Ohio Turnpike increased the cost of tolls.  And that’s what might happen here if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s application for permission to toll Interstate 80, currently before the United States Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, is approved. 

“This means the cost of tolls on I-80 would be borne by more than just the motorists who drive on it,” commented Larry Reichard, Executive Director of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation.  “The added wear and tear on local roads from additional truck traffic could also strain the road repair budgets of local governments.”

Penn-Northwest Development Corporation has taken several steps in recent weeks to prevent such a scenario.  Based on input from a survey of the County’s industrial and manufacturing businesses, as well as data from the Ohio Department of Transportation, on December 6 the Penn-Northwest Board Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to repeal Act 44 that allows for the placing of tolls on Interstate 80, and Secretary Peters to reject Pennsylvania’s application for tolling Interstate 80.

“As tolling will have a significant negative economic impact on value added business and industry, as tolling will have a significant negative economic impact on the trucking industry, and as tolling negatively impacts the competitiveness of manufacturers in Mercer County and throughout the PA I-80 corridor, we respectfully say ‘NO’ to the tolling of Interstate 80 and urge the Federal Highway Administration to deny Pennsylvania’s tolling application,” said Reichard in a letter sent to Secretary Peters on December 11.

In addition to Secretary Peters, the letter was copied to local, regional, state and federal elected officials as well as the PA Transportation secretary, and the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission.

“Now is the time to make our opinions and concerns known.  Secretary Peters’ office has recently requested more information from PennDOT and the PA Department of Transportation to consider the application,” noted Reichard. 

Penn-Northwest asked the County’s 254 manufacturers whether or not they support the tolling, what the estimated economic impact of a $250 round trip would be, and to estimate the potential competitive impact of tolls.  Twenty-three percent of those contacted responded.  Ninety-eight percent of the respondents oppose the toll.  Eighty-five percent indicated that tolling would negatively impact their competitiveness in the market place.  In aggregate, the respondents felt tolling would create additional costs of approximately $8 million per year. 

A study by the Ohio Department of Transportation measuring truck traffic volumes before and after an increase in the price of tolls on the Ohio Turnpike showed that after the price increase traffic on alternate routes – primarily secondary highways through local areas – increased between 13 and 267 percent. 

Finally, Reichard noted that a tolling study conducted by PennDOT in 2005 recommended that tolling of I-80 NOT be pursued at that time.  The study found that the annual cost of maintaining I-80 in acceptable condition no longer places an abnormal drain on PennDOT’s budget, and that out-of-state trucks pay for their use of I-80 via participation in Interstate compacts for registration and fuel use.  In fact, the PA Motor Truck Association (PMTA) maintains that such tolls would amount to double taxation as related to taxes currently levied on the trucking industry. 

Reichard urges area businesses to write to their elected officials, as well as to Secretary Peters.  Her address is: Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary; Department of Transportation; c/o Kelly Kolb; 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE; 8th Floor West, I-10; Washington, DC 20590.

Northwest Commission opens Outreach office in Mercer County

August 9, 2007 - The Northwest Commission has recently opened an outreach office in Mercer County.  It is located within the Penn Northwest Development Corporation’s new office complex at 749 Greenville Road in Mercer.  According to Denise McCloskey, Executive Director at the Commission, “This new outreach office is modeled after Northwest’s Erie County outreach, which has been a huge success.”  The Commission’s Mercer office will serve both Mercer and Lawrence Counties.  This office can help businesses access the services offered by Northwest Commission’s main office in Oil City.  Two staff members, representing the International and Municipal Outreach program, will be there on a regular basis.

Katarina Ishman, an International Trade Specialist will be working Tuesdays and Thursdays at the new office.  In her position Katarina is responsible for helping local businesses market their products internationally.  Northwest’s International Trade Specialists can connect businesses with contacts for potential sales, arrange travel and itinerary assistance while abroad, and supply translators if necessary.    

Valerie Hearn, a Community Development Specialist, will be at the Mercer location the second and fourth Mondays of the month.  In her position Valerie meets with all 265 municipalities within the region and educates them on community development services the Northwest Commission offers, collaborates with state agencies to find solutions to municipal problems, and leads the Municipal Technology Assistance Program which provides municipal officials training on the latest technological advances.

The Northwest Commission’s staff prepares businesses to compete in a global marketplace and works with local municipalities to facilitate expansion and growth of business within their local areas.  The Northwest Commission is dedicated to sustaining existing business, encouraging economic development, and improving the overall quality of life for Northwest Pennsylvania. 

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Established in 1967, the Northwest Commission is a regional resource for business and economic development as well as community development and planning.  The non-profit agency is composed of a team 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.  The Northwest Commission provides programs such as business financing, government contracting, international marketing, grants, transportation, and technology assistance to eight counties in northwest Pennsylvania including:  Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren. 

Visit www.nwcommission.org/media.html to read the latest regional news!

Release supplied by the NW Commission

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Groundbreaking for New Post-Secondary Training Institution Scheduled in Sharon

August 10, 2007 - The Shenango Valley Community Foundation will host a groundbreaking ceremony August 10th for a new post-secondary institution in Sharon.

Construction is about to commence on the12,000  square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility on Dock Street in Sharon.  The facility will be operated by Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI) and will provide instructional courses for the area’s manufacturing industries. 

“The combined efforts of PMI, the Shenango Valley Foundation, the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corporation, and

elected officials, community leaders, and government-supported agencies have made this new facility a reality,” said Larry Haynes. Executive Director of The Community Foundation.  “Our local manufacturers, and prospective new businesses, will now have the training resources they need to grow and thrive in our region.”

Precision Manufacturing Institute is a not-for-profit industrial education organization supported by and serving the needs of regional employers.  Currently celebrating its twentieth year of providing skills training in northwestern Pennsylvania, PMI operates a 33,000 square-foot training facility in Meadville.  The school currently offers 23 approved diploma and certificate courses which provide training for a variety of manufacturing and office-related careers, including machining, CAD/CAM, plastics technology, industrial maintenance, welding and Microsoft Office software.

“Our regional employers have expressed a need for such a facility in our area.  That’s why we are so pleased that PMI will offer its proven training programs in our area,” commented Larry Reichard, Executive Director of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation and the SVIDC.  “One of the most important qualities a company looks for when choosing a new site is access to skilled labor.  With PMI in Sharon, we can effectively enhance the skills of Mercer County’s workforce.”

Construction of the building is expected to be completed in November, with classes offered by January 2008. 

Release supplied by the Shenango Valley Community Foundation

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Penn-Northwest Development Corporation Names Jill Newcomer Project Manager

August 8, 2007 – Jill Newcomer, Greenville, has joined Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) as Project Manager.  In this newly created position she will be responsible for interfacing with public and private officials and organizations, program marketing, project qualification, project coordination, and other project support activities.

“The goal of this position is to give prospective new businesses – as well as existing businesses looking to expand – a single contact who can help pull all the elements together that are needed for successful projects,” said Larry Reichard, Executive Director of PNDC.  “We are pleased to have found someone with Jill’s training, experience, and familiarity with the area.  She will be a valuable source of information, contacts, and advice to PNDC clients.”

Newcomer has over sixteen years experience in business administration and marketing, most recently as business manager in the construction industry.  Her previous experience includes work as a Senior Business Consultant/Outreach Coordinator, Sales/Account Executive, Branch Supervisor and Marketing Coordinator.  She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.  

“Jill will work closely with the other economic development agencies in the County to assure clients and prospects as seamless a process as possible in meeting their needs,” added Reichard.

PNDC recently relocated to larger office quarters to the Penn Northwest Professional Center next to Woodland Place on Greenville Road in Mercer.  The additional space enables PNDC to expand its services as well as provide office space for other Mercer County economic development organizations, creating a virtual “one-stop” economic development location.

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Penn-Northwest Board Appoints Two New Members to Executive Committee, Approves Simplified Loan Procedures

August 3, 2007 – Bob Wilson, President of Sharon Custom Metal Forming, and Douglas Riley, Executive Director of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce were appointed to the Executive Committee of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) at its quarterly meeting, held July 30 in Mercer.  In addition, the board voted to approve changes to the by-laws that are designed to make PNDC more responsive to the needs of applicants for the various loan funds administered by the organization. 

Also at the meeting:

Dorte Hefferman and Katrina Ishman, International Trade Specialists for the Northwest PA Regional Planning and Development Commission, provided an overview of services available to businesses interested in marketing products and services in other countries.  Ms. Ishman will be available for personal consultations about international trade on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a new office located in the PNDC center. 

Congressman Phil English presented the board members and guests with an overview of recent activities in Congress, with special emphasis on recent initiatives in Washington to prevent approval of the tolling of Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. 

The meeting was held in the conference room of the new PNDC Professional Center next to Woodland Place on Greenville Road in Mercer.  The new location enables PNDC to expand its services as well as provide office space for other economic development organizations, creating a virtual “one-stop” economic development location.

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PENN-NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATON MOVING TO LARGER QUARTERS

New Central Location Offers Opportunities for Mercer County Economic Development Groups to Provide One-Stop Comprehensive Services

Since 1987, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) has occupied offices at 151 North Diamond Street in Mercer.  However, PNDC has outgrown that space.  On Monday, April 23rd, PNDC will move into newly renovated office space next to Woodland Place on Greenville Road in Mercer.  The new offices will also house regional offices for the Gannon University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC), the Mercer County Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA), and the Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corporation (SVIDC).  In addition, the Northwest Commission is planning to operate a regional office at the new location.

“In our strategic planning we identified the need to have a one-stop central location for services to existing businesses, as well as to prospective new businesses.  In order to accomplish that we needed a location where all – or most – of the economic development organizations in our region could operate under one roof,” said Larry Reichard, Executive Director of PNDC.  “With this move we now have the room to expand, to create a centralized location for such services as educational seminars and conferences, and to add offices as the other agencies see the advantages of a shared location.”

Initially the PNDC and the four regional offices will occupy 4000 square feet in the building.  The new Penn-Northwest Professional Center will feature a small meeting room with the capacity to host meetings of up to 30 participants, video conferencing capabilities, and other state-of-the art communications systems.  A furnished spare office will be available for use by visiting economic development officials, or as temporary headquarters by executives of new businesses while in the process of relocating to the region.

A Phase 2 is being considered, which will include the addition of a 2000 square foot mini conference center that can accommodate 150 or more attendees.

PNDC will lease the building from Woodland Place for a minimum of five years.

“PNDC has conducted an extensive search since July 1, when the strategic plan was adopted.  This location met all of our needs,” noted Reichard.  “Not only will the economic development community now have a central, up-to-date location convenient to all parts of Mercer County, but at the same time we have placed a viable building back into profitable service while adding a source of needed revenue to Woodland Place.”

“We are extremely pleased to be a part of this very progressive move,” added Drew Pierce, Chief Operating Officer of Woodland Place.  “This building will once again be able to serve the needs of the county.”

The PNDC Sites Committee evaluated over 12 possible locations before identifying the Greenville Road location as the one that best met all the organization’s needs for location, size, and costs.

“The committee felt this location offered the room to expand at a sustainable operating cost,” noted Reichard.  “All of our research indicates that the secret to successful attraction and retention of jobs is a single location.  Now the other agencies that provide economic development-related services will have the room to relocate – if they choose – and to offer that one-stop convenience.”

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