Broadcast News
February/March 2011

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749 Greenville Rd., Suite 100
Mercer, PA 16137-5023

Phone: 724-662-3705
Fax: 724-662-0283

Penn-Northwest Celebrated Anniversary and Reports
Highlights of 2010

Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010.  A summary of PNDC’s impact over those years includes over 400 projects, resulting in the creation of over 8,000 new jobs, the retention of over 13,000 jobs and capital investment of over $1 billion. 

Even with the impact over the past 25 years, the economy remained a concern.  As the year progressed, a sense of renewed energy emerged as projects developed and inquiries for future projects increased. Ellwood Crankshaft and Machine Company completed an almost $40 million expansion with construction and major equipment purchases.  Joy Cone Manufacturing started a 180,000 square foot expansion with an investment of almost $20 million.  Both companies have increased their employment with these significant projects. 

PNDC welcomed ILSCO Extrusions Inc. to the Greenville community and Mercer County.  After working with the prospect for over twelve months, ILSCO of Cincinnati purchased the 684,000 square foot facility which includes the retention of three tenant companies at the site. 

Recently Penn-Northwest, with the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce, announced the formation of a strategic alliance between the two groups with the intent of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Mercer County’s economic development efforts.  The goal is that all the economic development agencies in the county will join the efforts to create a unified vision and voice for the county. 

Formed in 1985, Penn-Northwest is a public/private partnership providing marketing, coordination and financial services to help retain and expand existing businesses, and to attract new business to the Mercer County regional service area.  “We would like to thank the members of the corporation, which includes private business leaders in addition to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, who support the organization financially and by volunteering their time to serve on the board of directors and various committees,” stated Ken Faulconbridge, Chair of the Corporation. 

Officers for FY 2010/2011 include: Chair, Kenneth Faulconbridge, Northwest Savings Bank; Vice Chairs,  Lew Kachulis, Gilberts Risk Solutions, and Ken Ammann, Mercer County Commissioner; Secretary, Robert Wilson, Penn Ohio Metals; Treasurer, John Mastrian, Strimbu Memorial Fund; and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Tony Zucco, Penn Power. 

PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERSHIP IN ECONOMIC & ENERGY STRATEGIES

SHARON, PA – Deanne Koch, marketing & membership director of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce, announces Private Sector Leadership in Economic & Energy Strategies presented by Dennis Yablonsky, CEO Allegheny Conference on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 4:oo PM at Avalon Golf and Country Club.  A native of the Pittsburgh region, Dennis is an accomplished and experienced veteran of managing and leading dynamic business growth – as a private business leader, a nonprofit economic development professional and high-ranking appointed government official.  He became the Chief Executive Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its affiliated organizations, The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance on March 24, 2009. 

The event is presented by OPEN Growth Alliance, Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hermitage Economic Development Commission, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation and is sponsored by First Energy Foundation, National Fuel Gas and JMC Steel Group.  There is no cost to attend the event and seating is limited.  Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce at 724-981-5880 or Penn-Northwest Development Corporation at 724-662-3705, ext. 1583.

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Erie Inland Port Survey

The Northwest Commission is supporting the transportation based economic development plans of the Erie Economic Development Corporation with the goal to improve rail and seaway access for our regional exporters and importers. The planning for the Erie Inland Port consists of four locations, the development of the Port of Erie and also of Conneaut Port, Ohio with seaway access through the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Albion (Erie) Site which includes 832 acres of a former rail yard, and also the Fairview Business Park (Erie) for warehousing and distribution.

Part of the planning process is to collect as many shipping details from our regional companies as possible which not only helps with the planning but also with the negotiations with major carriers and rail lines.

We would like to ask you to participate in an online survey and contribute to the information gathering of logistics data. You can easily access the online survey at the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9GYTPXN

If you are not the right person within your organization to provide the logistical data, would you please forward this message to your director of transportation and logistics?

Many thanks for your help.

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Mercer County Industries:

Production of the 2011 Mercer County Industrial Directory Underway

The 2011 Mercer County Industrial Directory is in the first stages of production and should be available in March.  If your industry is located in Mercer County, you should have received a copy of your company’s listing with a request to update with any changes/corrections.  Please take a few moments to look it over and make corrections so that our county’s directory is as up-to-date as possible.  If you have not received this mailing from PNDC, please contact us accordingly.

Members of Penn-Northwest are entitled to a complimentary copy of the Industrial Directory.  The Directory is available to the public for a nominal fee. 

Any questions regarding the production of the directory can contact the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation at (724) 662-3705 ext. 1583 or email tcalderwood@penn-northwest.com.

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