Author: PMEDC

Pocono Services for Families & Children is pleased to announce support from Verizon’s ’Check Into Literacy’ Program in the amount of $2,500. This support will allow over 200 impoverished and disabled preschool age children, to own their own books, many for the first time. Research shows that reading to a child three times per week, greatly improves emergent literacy skills and promotes success in kindergarten. This generous donation will allow needy and “at risk” children to own books and give parents the tools to read to their child to improve their literacy skills.

The ’Check Into Literacy’ initiative allows Verizon’s landline telephone customers to indicate on their monthly phone bills that they wish to make a $1 tax-deductible donation to promote literacy. Verizon then distributes these donations to local literacy organizations, such as Pocono Services for Families & Children.

“A dollar a month may not seem like much, but it can go a long way toward improving literacy skills in local communities and giving people the opportunity to succeed,” said Daniel J. Reavy, Director of External Affairs, Verizon Pennsylvania. “We are delighted to support Pocono Services for Families & Children’s Book Ownership Program, to benefit needy children and help to improve their literacy skills through the generosity of our customers.”

PMEDC was pleased to put Verizon in touch with Pocono Services for Families and Children to access the grant funds for this program.

A “Topping – Off” ceremony for the new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a development of the ESU Center for Research and Economic Development (CFRED) was held on May 15, 2009. CFRED is constructing the 51,000 square-foot Center as the first phase of the ESUResearch and Business park on 11 acres of property owned by the university at the corner of Route 447 and Brown Street in Smithfield Township.

The building will include: The ESU Business Accelerator Program; Anchor tenants; R&D facilities; The ESU Cyber Crime and Forensic Institute; and, the ESU Division of Research and Economic Development. The $11.5 million construction projectr is supported by $2.5 million in funding from a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) Grant funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in addition to federal assistance from the EDA ($1.2 million), the Appalachian Regional Commission ($75,000), the PA Department of Community and Economic Development ($1 million) and $770,000 in other grant funds for infrastructure and program activities which support entrepreneurship and startup companies.

Participating companies will provide ESU students with challenging career opportunities. It is anticipated that ESU faculty, staff and students will participate in educational programming , training initiatives, R&D, and commercialization and technology transfer activities offered through the new center.

The economic impact of the center, Phase I the Park, is expected to create 595 jobs and generate over $57 million for Monroe County.

In building construction, topping out, or topping off, is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building’s structure. A topping out ceremony is usually held to commemorate the event.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance and the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation hosted Pennsylvania’s Authorized Trade Advisors from Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan on Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Chateau Resort & Conference Center, Tannersville.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Trade Advisors on the industry sectors of Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Plastics & Resins, Electronics & IT, Powdered Metals and Industrial Machinery and discussed best market prospects. The one-on-one meetings are not be limited to these industry sectors.

The appointments are free but registration is required. To register for future events like this, contact Debbie Phillips at 570-655-5581 or dphillips@nepa-alliance.org.

Pocono Business Journal and Chuck Leonard of Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corp. are partnering with Borders (Shoppes at Stroud) to continue the “Business and Books” series. May’s topic, “Economic Development Trends in NEPA,” will be presented on Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. by Chuck Leonard, who will discuss the following topics of interest:

• Growth industries in the Poconos
• Attracting employers
• Update on current projects in Monroe County

Presented throughout 2009 by members of our local business community who are also PBJ columnists, future sessions will cover topics such as executive leadership, the arts, county government, healthcare, and more.

Discussions will last no more than half an hour, followed by a question and answer period. They are open to the public and do not require prior registration. This event will be held in Border’s café.

In the spirit of contributing to a positive environment for growth and economic development in the region, PBJ is using “Business and Books” as a venue to inform and educate members of our business community.

Pocono Business Journal is dedicated to reporting the economic news of the Pocono region and focuses exclusively on the business and industry environment unique to the area. Contact dburke@pbjonline.com with business events, press releases and comments or call (570) 421-0100.

The Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport Authority (PMMAA) broke ground on April 17, 2009 on its runway expansion project that will extend its primary runway from 3,950 feet to 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 runway length of 5,000 feet for landing.

“The project will enhance access to the airport for local organizations such as Tobyhanna Army Deport, Sanofi Pasteur and the race teams visiting Pocono International Raceway for the two NASCAR races held each year, “ PMMAAChairman, George Strunk stated. “The longer runway will also make the Pocono area a more attractive prospective business site for businesses considering new locations.”

Chuck Leonard, PMEDC Executive Director commented, “This airport is an ammenity for our business parks and will continue to help us market our community to new and expanding businesses. We are pleased to be able to assist the airport authority in securing part of the funding needed for the project.”

The runway expansion project is being funded by a rather unique collaboration between state and county governments. The first 500 feet of the expansion is being funded by PennDOT/PA Bureau of Aviation. The second 500 feet is being funded from the Local Share Account for Monroe County which comes from gaming revenues received as a host county of Mount Airy Casino Resort. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners and PMEDC chose the project as an important infrastructure and economic development initiative for the Pocono community.

The total project cost approaches $4 million. Phase I was planning, engineering and design which was completed earlier this year, currently underway is Phase II which is excavation and earthwork. Paving and lighting will be Phase III. The entire project is expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2010.

Dozens of children and community residents descended upon the Emerald Lakes Community Center for the opening of a computer lab that gives the private community’s more than 3000 residents access to computers, training, and broadband Internet services.

Students use the computer lab at Emerald Lakes Community Center for the first time Tuesday afternoon.

The computer lab is a pilot project using technology to enhance intergenerational educational opportunities and build synergy between the community and the school district. The lab was developed and equipped jointly by the Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD), the Emerald Lakes Association (ELA), and Enosis – the Broadband Facilitators, a service of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC).

“The partnership between the Emerald Lakes Association, Enosis, and the Pocono Mountain School District demonstrably links technological resources with members of the community,” says PMSD Superintendent Dr. Dwight Pfennig.

“Be it an afterschool research project, a real time on-line experience, or a hands-on introduction to the world of the Internet, members of all ages will have better access to a most critical resource. The partnership also serves as a pilot for future partnerships as the scope of public education expands exponentially through technology.”

According to ELA Recreation Director Don Alvarez, the lab features 10 unique workstations and will be open daily from 7 a.m. until approximately 10 p.m. Students will have exclusive access from 7 – 9 a.m. for pre-school programs and again from 2 – 6 p.m. All community residents will have access at all other times.

Alvarez expects to initiate training classes for adults and seniors ranging from basic computer functions like how to send and receive e-mail or download pictures to digital imaging and Microsoft Office classes.
“It’s going to open up a world of opportunity and bring our residents into the new tech age,” say Alvarez. “We notice that many seniors are intimidated by computers. With this lab, we can help them learn. It’ll also bridge intergenerational gaps, because high school and college student volunteers will be helping the adults learn.

Computers for the pilot project were provided by the PMSD, while the remaining funds were secured by PMEDC through Pennsylvania’s Broadband Outreach and Aggregation Fund. According to PMEDC Executive Director Chuck Leonard, the BOAF fund focused on aggregating demand and facilitating business and scholastic use of broadband Internet services in Monroe County.

“When we received the BOAF planning grant, we worked with our consultants, Dellicker Strategies, to identify specific projects when this wonderful opportunity presented itself,” says Leonard.

“We are so pleased to see the Computer Lab up and running and in the future would hope to see this pilot project duplicated in other gated communities.”

Enosis – a name drawn from the Greek word referring to union between communities – was developed as a result of Pennsylvania Act 183, the Broadband Outreach and Aggregation Fund (BOAF) and E-Fund Implementation. Under the guidelines provided by the act, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)’s Technology Investment Office provided the funds to initiate local programs concerning the benefits, use and acquisition of broadband services and aggregating – or combining – customer demand.

BREINIGSVILLE (Lehigh County) – The past, present and future of Wall Street West came together for the initiatives fourth regional meeting at the TEK Park Campus today. Joined by Wall Street West funding recipients, committee members and regional stakeholders, the event was highlighted by the announcement of 10 new workforce development projects totaling more than $1.6 million.

“The Wall Street West Regional Meetings are the best chance for the Wall Street West community to gather and share successes and ideas, as well as welcome new members to the network of initiatives that are shaping the workforce and economic future of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Matt Connell, Chairman, Wall Street West Executive Committee.

Serving as Keynote Speaker was Alan Berman, Executive Director, DRIInternational. Mr. Berman leads the premier organization for educational and certification programs for business continuity planning and management. His presentation, entitled “The Future of Business Continuity Education,” discussed the types of changes that will need to be made by the business community in order to be successful in this and future economic climates.

“Business continuity planning helps companies stay focused despite the critical events that may arise. It is only through strategic forethought that companies will have viable, long-term success,” Berman said. “Northeastern Pennsylvania is not only preparing for the future, but is creating an atmosphere that will allow companies in certain industries to feel confident in their decision to expand or relocate into the region.”

The 10 new projects represent the entire ten-county region, which includes Berks, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne Counties. As with all workforce development projects funded by Wall Street West, they will receive funding through the federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant program, administered through the U.S. Department of Labor. The projects announced today will join the 39 other projects receiving more than $8.5 million funding since October 2007.

Six of the new investments are considered Gap Investment projects. These projects focus on creating programs that will strengthen the core workforce capacity that will make the region a pre-eminent locale for business attraction. The recipients and projects were determined based on how they addressed categories such as Educational Attainment and Curriculum Development; Career Development and Pathway Programs; Workforce Development Systems; or Incumbent Worker Skills Enhancement.

More than $1 million will be awarded for this round of Gap Investments. In May, $6.5 million was awarded in the first round of Gap Investment projects.

The Internship Institute, supported by fiscal agent Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute (NPTI), will receive $375,000 to lead implementation of The Internship Seeding Program. The initiative will establish and ensure quality internship opportunities using a consistent model applicable to all industries. The goal will be to match 50 employers and 50 students with 25 new business sites.

Misericordia University will receive $280,500 to lead The Cadre of Executives in Residence Professional Training Program. The project will allow for the identification, training and supervision of 15 Executives-in-Residence to advance the education of an industry-specific workforce. The project will be done in partnership with Lackawanna College, Luzerne County Community College, Northampton Community College, as well as 70 regional school districts.

The Lehigh Valley Research Consortium will receive $220,000 to develop the Wall Street West Impact and Assessment Analysis. To help develop a sustainability plan, this project will quantify the impact of the Wall Street West investments to track long-term outcomes.

King’s College, in collaboration with several public and private entities, will receive $104,503 for the creation of a Bilingual Financial Workforce Certification Program. The initiative will be designed for adult, Latino-English language learners to become bilingually proficient in the basic concepts of the financial services industry, including customer service, information technology and marketing.

East Stroudsburg University will receive $60,640 to develop Entrepreneurial Leadership Centers. These facilities will provide faculty, students and community residents with the knowledge and support necessary to make wise financial decisions and be prepared to choose entrepreneurial endeavors or financial services as a career option.

United Rehabilitation Services will receive $53,500 to lead a project entitled Integrating Qualified Workers with Disabilities into the Wall Street West Network. In collaboration with public and private entities, the organization will identify and prepare workers with disabilities to have employment opportunities by targeting education institutions and other support organizations.

“Wall Street West is strategically improving Northeastern Pennsylvania by building on its strengths to bolster the region,” said Vito Gallo, Co-Chair, Wall Street West Human Capital Committee. “By developing key programs that address gaps in the workforce, the region’s stakeholders have demonstrated a commitment to long-term change that will put Northeastern Pennsylvania in a stronger position for sustainable business growth.”

Additionally, four organizations will be receiving nearly $600,000 in funding for Innovation Investment projects. Innovation Investments focus on the future of the region and develop mechanisms to enhance relationship building, education, training, and economic development in industries like financial services and information technology. These projects are the third round of Innovation Investments. Previous awardees have received more than $1.4 million:

Lehigh University, in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, will receive $250,000 to create the Intellectual Property Management Model. This initiative will develop a method for identifying, protecting and commercializing innovations with information technology, financial services and other applications.

The University of Scranton will receive $190,500 for the Knowledge Management Institute (KMI). In collaboration with Lehigh University and CEREBRONIX, Inc., the university will expand their current KMI to house techniques, tools, training, proprietary models and practitioners in financial services.

The Lehigh Career and Technical Institute will receive $91,832 to create the Pathways to an Engineering Career Program. This project will develop and implement an educational program designed for high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in engineering, with an emphasis on computer, electrical and electromechanical engineering.

The Berks County Workforce Investment Board will receive $40,000 to lead the development of Turning on TORQ. TORQ, or Transferable Occupation Relationship Quotient, is an analytical tool linking occupations in order to define gaps needed for people to enter new industries. This project will provide a resource for career professionals to readily identify transferability among job opportunities.

“Innovation Investments represent opportunities to identify the jobs that will be the future of the Northeastern Pennsylvania economy,” said Chris Haran, Co-Chair, Wall Street West Human Capital Committee. “The funding we are awarding today can shape the change that will allow the future workforce to work in a wider range of careers.”

The 800,000 square-foot TEK Park campus has been a key partner in the Wall Street West initiative. Developed by the MRA Group to be a premiere location for companies in industries such as disaster recovery, bio-pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, electronics, and research and development, the campus currently has 21 tenants. In July, Wall Street West partner DBSi, a leading provider of high availability managed hosting disaster recovery and data center services, announced they would be building an Advanced Technology Center (ATC) on the TEK Park campus.

Wall Street West is a not-for-profit partnership in Northeastern Pennsylvania that is enhancing the financial services, information technology and related industries in the commonwealth through strategic workforce development and state-of-the-art economic development. Stemming from an interagency report by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Department of the Treasury – whose recommendations make the ten-county region an optimal geographic location for secure data back-up and back office operations – the goal of Wall Street West is to work with firms in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan threat zones to establish supplemental facilities to safeguard data, fund the education and training of a growing workforce, and expand the competitiveness and potential of these industries.

The Wall Street West partnership is made up of the top-tier economic development agencies; technology investment groups; workforce development organizations; education and research institutions; and private sector companies in the region. With the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania acting as the project manager, Wall Street West has federal support through a $15 million Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for education and job training, as well as a combined $24 million commitment by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and private industry to enhance existing infrastructure.

For more information on the Wall Street West partners and programs, please call 610-758-5233 or visit Wall Street West.

The Pocono Township Supervisors hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony on October 29, 2008 for the first phase of the Pocono Township Sewer System.

Pocono Township Supervisors, Harold Werkheiser, Jane Cilurso and John Bramley (pictured left to right), break ground along Route 611 in Swiftwater for the first phase of the Pocono Township Sewer Project.

“The Pocono Township Supervisors are pleased today to begin the first phase of the sewer project. We have been working hard to move this project forward and appreciate the assistance of everyone involved. After much negotiation, this has become a regional solution to address the need for improved infrastructure that will support our community. We greatly appreciate the help we have received from everyone,” stated Jane Cilurso, Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors.

Pocono Township will be constructing and maintaining the sewer mains along Route 611 from Pocono Township to the proposed treatment plant. The Brodhead Creek Regional Authority will be responsible for the operation of the 4.5 million gallons per day regional treatment plant but it will be owned by Pocono Township, Stroud Township and the Borough of Stroudsburg. The plant will accept sewage from the Borough of Stroudsburg, Stroud Township, Pocono Township and Hamilton Township.

The project has various funding commitments including a $10 million Health and Human Services federal grant, an EPA grant and a PA Department of Community & Economic Development PennWorks grant. A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district was also created to generate $3.5 million for the project. The township also plans to apply for PennVEST funds.

Attending the ceremony with the supervisors were State Representative Mario Scavello; Jim Brunozzi of State Senator Mellow’s office; Monroe County Commissioner Theresa Merli; representatives of sanofi pasteur and RKR Hess Associates; Chuck Leonard and Michelle Bisbing of PMEDC; Jim Swetz, Pocono Township Solicitor; Ken Brown of the BCRA; and the contractors, Doli Construction and Leeward Construction.

HARRISBURG – Continuing efforts to stave off the effects of the national economic downturn, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that the Commonwealth has reduced interest rates on three of its key business loan programs to position Pennsylvania for continued economic growth.

“Pennsylvania is feeling the effects of recent events on Wall Street and a stagnant national economy,” said Governor Rendell. “While Pennsylvania is well-positioned to deal with this situation, we must continue to be proactive and provide incentives for businesses to invest, grow and create jobs.”

The Governor said the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority voted today to reduce the interest rate on its loans to 3 percent for all future projects. The commonwealth will also set interest rates to 3 percent for projects approved through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund and Small Business First loan programs.

Today’s cuts continue the practice of holding rates on these commonwealth loan programs to two points below prime.

The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority provides capital for infrastructure acquisition, creation and renovation projects primarily for manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers looking to establish national or regional headquarters in Pennsylvania.

“While we have fared better than many other states up to this point, recent declines in jobs and revenues flowing into the state show that we cannot stand by and wait for Washington to act,” said the Governor. “Now is the time to invest in our businesses and workers by providing the resources they need to weather this economic downturn.”

Since 2003, PIDA has funded more than 400 projects with more than $385 million in loans, creating more than 9,500 new jobs and retaining more than 35,000 existing positions.

For information on any of the above programs and others administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.