Author: PMEDC

Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport Authority officially opened its newly expanded runway on September 21, 2010. Runway 13-31 now has a length of 5,001 feet. This project is critical to the development and long term viability of the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport because most corporate jet insurers and the United States military require a minimum runway length of 5,000 feet for landing.

The project will enhance access to the airport for local organizations such as Tobyhanna Army Depot, Sanofi Pasteur, Mount Airy Casino, and race teams visiting Pocono International Raceway for the two NASCAR races held each year. The longer runway will also make the Pocono area a more attractive prospective business site for businesses considering new locations. The airport is surrounded by three county Business Parks with sites currently available: Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East and South and Arcadia North Business Park.

The runway expansion was NOT funded with Federal Stimulus funds. The funding for the project was the result of a rather unique collaboration between state and county governments. The first 500 feet of the expansion was funded by PennDoT / PA Bureau of Aviation. The second 500 feet was funded using Monroe County’s share of local gaming tax revenue generated by the Mount Airy Casino resort. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners and the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation chose the project as an important infrastructure and economic development initiative for the Pocono community.

The total project cost approaches $4 million.

Hamilton Manor, a non-profit corporation, and Monarch Development Group LLC held a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the Skyline Heights Housing Development Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 on Route 209 in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Skyline Heights is managed by the Housing Authority of Monroe County.

Skyline Heights is an affordable workforce housing development that includes 42 newly constructed townhouse-style apartments for general occupancy. Located in Smithfield Township, PA, the homes are close to a number of community services.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority contributed a grant to loan for the project from the Local Share Account for Monroe County funds from 2008-2009. These are funds made available for project in the county by gaming revenues from Mount Airy Casino Resort.

Participating in the ribbon cutting event; Chuck Leonard, MCIDA Executive Director stated, “We are pleased to be part of this project that is filling a desperate need for affordable workforce housing in our community. The LSAfunds were made available to fill a gap in the project financing and working with Mike Kearney it all came together.”

The residential buildings on the 12.42 acre site contain 22 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom apartments and have been built using Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Green Building Criteria. There is a resident community building that includes a community meeting area, kitchenette, support service office, management office, and rest rooms. The property has a total of eight-four parking spaces. Six of the 42 apartments are fully accessible.

The development team includes the following:
Co-Developers: Hamilton Manor and Monarch Development Group, LLC
Architect: Schoonover & Vanderhoof Architects, LLC
General Contractor: Grimm Construction
Attorney: Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Management Agent: Housing Authority of Monroe County

Skyline Heights is a $12-million development which was financed by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Dime Bank, ESSA Bank & Trust, Honesdale National Bank, County of Monroe, Monroe County Housing Authority, and Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

The second round of gaming fund revenues generated by Mount Airy Resort and Casino and distributed through the Monroe County Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA) will fund 11 major health care, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives in Monroe County, along with a group of community improvement projects.

A new building to house Pocono Medical Center’s cancer center will receive $2 million in construction funding assistance and the completion of Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport’s runway expansion will receive $1 million.
In all, 18 projects will receive nearly $6.25 million in funds generated by the Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act, or Act 71, which set up a “local share assessment account” (LSA) and required Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development to distribute money that is generated by licensed gaming facilities to support community and economic development projects and mitigate the impact of gaming activities.

“This round of LSA funding has some groundbreaking components,” says MCIDA Executive Director Chuck Leonard.
Leonard was referring to more than $2 million for sewage upgrades, engineering studies to investigate gas line expansion, and construction and permitting projects expected to enhance the appeal of two county owned corporate and industrial parks, Pocono Mountains Corporate Centers East and South.

“Getting more office and industrial space at PMCC East will help us create somewhere between 100 and 150 jobs,” he says. “And having preliminary footprints approved for some of our other lots at East and (PMCC) South will help expedite approvals for the types of companies that have shown interest in coming here, but had been put off by the specter of a cumbersome permitting process.”

The $6.25 million distribution represents only 50 percent of Mt. Airy’s contribution to the local share account. Commonwealth law mandates that Monroe County must share gaming fund revenues equally with neighboring counties.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority is part of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit economic development corporation dedicated to creating jobs for Monroe County residents, expanding the county’s tax base and attracting new investment with the direct support of the Monroe County Commissioners. More information on economic development in Monroe County and on the local share assessment account specifically is available by calling PMEDC at (570) 839-1992.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority received LSAfunding for the following Monroe County projects:

•$2,040,000 to Pocono Medical Center for construction of a new 58,000 square foot building in East Stroudsburg. The building will house PMC’s new cancer center.

•$1.05 million for the Pocono Mountains Regional Airport’s runway expansion project

•$659,940 for the Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority for studies, design, and engineering services in support of proposed gas line expansion.

•$561,000 for the Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority for construction of a pre-treatment package plant at Pocono Mountains Corporate Center South.

•$433,500 for construction of a multi-tenant building totaling approximately 10,000 square feet on a 28-acre parcel located at Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East. The project is expected to create 50-100 jobs

•$255,000 for construction of Class-A office space at PMCC East Lot 4. The building is expected to house professional offices, call center back office operations, and is projected to create 40-50 jobs.

•$142,203 to Pocono Mountains Industries for engineering work necessary for the approval of specific footprints for lots in PMCC East and PMCC South, accelerating the permitting process for prospective clients.

•$95,321 to the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company for a new generator and narrow band emergency equipment.

•$91,406 to the Pocono Family YMCA for construction and equipment to improve the YMCA building, grounds, and operational equipment

•$33,075 for the Pocono Health Communities Alliance to develop a regional 211 system, connecting callers to information about critical health and human services available in the community.

•$29,673 to Pocono Township to fund improvements at Mountain View Park.

Corporations, entrepreneurs, and developers researching Pocono-area industrial properties will get a better look at what the region has to offer thanks to an upgrade at PMEDC.com, the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC)’s Website.

Thanks to a grant from PPL, PMEDC added 360 virtual tours of key properties in Monroe County’s industrial inventory.

Virtual tours are available for some Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) approved lots at Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East, as well as Dein Properties on Burson Street in East Stroudsburg. The KOZ program allows for the waiver, abatement, or exemption of certain state and local taxes, including real estate, earned income, corporate net income, and sales and use taxes, among others.

The former Liz Claiborne distribution center in Pocono Mountains Corporate Center South, the now vacant 84 Lumber in Mount Pocono, and the former Laird Technologies building in Delaware Water Gap are also among the non-KOZ properties for which 360 tours are available.

“Giving corporate real estate executives as much information as possible before they make their first visit to the region shows two things,” says PMEDCExecutive Director Chuck Leonard.

“First, we respect their time and want to make sure Monroe County is a viable location for their enterprise,” he says. “And second, PMEDC will provide every tool available to persuade them to bring their business to the Poconos.”

The $10,000 PPL Blue Ribbon Grant also funded a soon-to-be-published marketing plan based on interviews with corporate real estate professionals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York; as well as a combined direct mail / print advertising campaign highlighting Monroe County’s Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East in Tobyhanna.

“PPL is pleased to be able to support projects that will promote Monroe County’s available properties and enhance PMEDC’s marketing plan,” commented Paul Canevari of PPL. “These grants signify our company’s ongoing commitment to economic development in our community.”

“We’re already seeing significant interest in our KOZ properties and in large part, we have PPL’s Blue Ribbon Grants to thank,” added Leonard.

For the second year in a row, Vigon has been included on the Inc. 5000 Inc. Magazine’s annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. The Inc. 5000 represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy today – America’s entrepreneurs and all of us at Vigon are pleased and honored to be a part of it again this year.

“The Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models” said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan. “That’s why our list is so eagerly anticipated every year.”

“We are all extremely proud to have made the Inc. 5000 again, especially during these challenging economic times that we are all facing” said Steve Somers. “I believe our growth is directly related to Vigon’s dedication and commitment to delivering a truly added-value product and service to the market. We are honored to be a part of the Inc. 5000 and we thank our customers and partners for their belief in the value that Vigon provides”.

The Hart Corporation, broker of record for the Former Laird Technologies Building in Delaware Water Gap, announced November 19, 2009 that the asking price for the building has been reduced.

The asking price is now $1,250,000 for the 111,740 square foot industrial building strategically located just off Interstate 80 and only minutes from New Jersey.

Formerly used as an electronics plant, this property features heavy power distribution, public water and sewer, full sprinkler system, two docks, one drive-in and approximately 17,000 square feet of attractive office space. There is excellent frontage along Interstate 80. Available for immediate possession.

See more details by clicking here: Building Details

Governor Edward G. Rendell said new state investments totaling $4.1 million will help to create and retain 775 jobs as East Stroudsburg University builds a research and technology facility in Monroe County and blighted, vacant properties are redeveloped in Lancaster’s downtown business district.

Together, the projects are worth nearly $20 million.

“The investments we are making today are helping to attract private investments in Monroe and Lancaster counties, revitalize our communities, and help put Pennsylvanians to work,” said Governor Rendell. “These projects are turning vacant and blighted properties into homes and businesses that will contribute to the local tax base and providing the space and capacity for future job creation in cutting edge research and development, and business growth.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority, or CFA, approved the loans November 10, 2009 under the state’s Building PA fund, a real estate component of Governor Rendell’s original economic stimulus program.

The Governor said the CFA approved a $2 million loan in Monroe County to Pocono Mountains Industries for the first phase of construction for the East Stroudsburg University Research and Technology Park, which will be a three-story research and technology facility that will offer 41,000 square feet of research and development/technology space.

The East Stroudsburg University Research and Technology Park will provide expanded business accelerator space within the Pocono Mountains Keystone Innovation Zone. It is projected that the project will house 223 jobs this year and an additional 518 jobs by 2011, for a total of 741 jobs.

In downtown Lancaster, EDC Finance Corp. will use a $2.1 million loan for Historic East Side Suites LP to redevelop three parcels in the first two blocks of East King Street. The tracts are located just east of the newly opened Lancaster County Convention Center and will provide 22,043 square feet of residential, 8,343 square feet of retail, and 4,951 square feet of commercial space, as well as 17 modern residential units.

“In addition to creating more than 30 new jobs, this redevelopment project carries additional significance due to its proximity to the Lancaster’s new convention center and existing businesses,” the Governor said.

Building PA provides crucial “gap financing” for viable economic development projects.

State funds are matched at least dollar-for-dollar by private equity. Through September, more than $136 million had been allocated for 24 projects throughout Pennsylvania.

For more information about economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, call 1-866-466-3972 or visit www.newpa.com.

MegaPhase honored the accomplishments of the United States Army’s PM Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare (“CREW”), and the MegaPhase Team’s contribution to the protection of the Warfighter from the threat of IEDs in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at their facility in Stroudsburg.

The critical systems our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines use to jam remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) rely on the RF cable components designed and manufactured at the MegaPhase facility in Stroudsburg. Over 100,000 MegaPhase cables are now in use throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting the Warfighter in harm’s way. These cables are used in tens of thousands of jamming systems fielded on every vehicle in the US Army. The group of systems are known as CREW—counter remote-controlled electronic warfare—and are used to prevent detonation of roadside bombs, the most deadly and dangerous threat to our troops.

The event featured Major Corey Hemingway, APM of CREW Systems Integration & Training and paid tribute to their work in protecting American and allied forces. “MegaPhase’s RF cables and connectors have already and will continue to directly impact and save the lives of over 30,000 people,” reports an Army spokesperson. “As a vital supplier to the war effort that requires precision cables and connectors with proven reliability in extremely harsh environments and all kinds of weather conditions, MegaPhase consistently delivers – even under difficult compressed schedules.”

“Our sense of urgency comes from knowing our cables are saving lives,” said William Pote, CEO and President of MegaPhase. As an example, Pote recounts several instances when the Army’s PM CREW or its integrators have last-minute requirements whereby a phone call in the morning necessitates MegaPhase to deliver cables the same day to Tobyhanna Army Depot for direct shipment to theater in Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan: “We get the call at 7 a.m., and we have cable sets boxed and driven to Tobyhanna by 3 p.m. the same day.” Pote adds, “In addition to our battle-tested RF coax cables, we have developed a line of rugged, GrooveTube® super flexible test cables and quick connectors and adapters to meet critical battle-field demands. The SiteLineTM Rugged Armored site analyzer cables and network analyzer cables also provide reliable and accurate performance under the most rugged field conditions.”

Invitees for this event include distinguished representatives from the US Army’s PEO IEW&S, PEO C3T, Tobyhanna Army Depot, JIEDDO, Department of Defense, research centers, defense contractors, systems integrators, critical suppliers, elected officials on the national, state and local levels and PMEDC staff. Visit MegaPhase to learn more.

In a move one commercial realtor called “one of the most powerful things to happen in Monroe County economic development history,” George Cornelius, acting secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced in late June that approximately 340 acres of industrial property in Monroe County had been approved and designated as part of a new Keystone Opportunity and Expansion Zone.

The approved properties include 127.95 acres of county-owned land in Pocono Mountains Corporate Centers East and South and 212.51 acres at New Ventures Commercial Park in Blakeslee.

The KOZ program allows for the waiver, abatement, or exemption of certain state and local taxes, including real estate, earned income, corporate net income, and sales and use taxes, among others.

“We’re better off today because of the unified support we received from the Pocono Mountain School District, under the leadership of Henry Bockelman and Dr. Dwight Pfennig; our county commissioners; municipal officials in Tobyhanna and Coolbaugh Townships,” says Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Chuck Leonard.

Officials from each of those taxing entities had to approve the tax incentives before the properties could be submitted for DCED approval.

“Along with the tax incentives provided by the KOZ program, that unity goes a long way toward supporting the ‘business friendly’ brand we’re trying to promote, he adds.”

Local commercial property expert Michael Baxter says the approved sites “improve the county’s ability to compete with other counties and industrial sites across the state”

“KOZ availability is the single most important criteria for companies looking to relocate to our area and create new jobs that we sorely need. Along with our superior location and quality of life, it will give us a big advantage over our competition”