Author: PMEDC

Stroudsburg – The Monroe County Commissioners announced today that Northampton Community College’s Monroe Campus, Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport, the Pocono Township/Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, will be the first applications submitted for Monroe County’s Local Share Account of gaming revenue generated by Mt. Airy Casino Resort.

The commissioners spent more than a year consulting with economic development leaders about priorities for the initial funding round. They also met with our 10 state legislators to gauge support for the established priority projects. The laborious process led them to submit project applications on behalf of NCC’s planned expansion of its Monroe County Campus, the PMAA’s runway expansion project and the Pocono Township/Brodhead Regional Authority sewer project.

“These projects were selected based on several criteria. We asked PMEDCto determine which projects are prepared to commence immediately and asked that consideration be given to projects that have funding commitments in place from other state and federal sources. Our criteria for selection also included consideration for projects that enhance and support other county projects and generate favorable and lasting economic impact. This is just the beginning of how Mt. Airy will benefit Monroe County beyond it’s status as a magnet for tourism,” stated Commissioners Chairperson Suzanne McCool.

Other projects on the Priority List include:
• Telecommunications Infrastructure
• Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East, Phase A Section II and Phase B
• Tobyhanna Township Infrastructure
• Redevelopment of the Laird Technologies building
• Mount Pocono Municipal Authority Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades
• West End Site Acquisition
• University Research and Technology Park
• Coolbaugh Township Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades
• Commerce Court Extension
• Rail Authority Needs/Freight and Passenger
• International Boiler Works Redevelopment
• Mount Pocono Regional Wastewater Resources
• Flex Building at Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East

Applications can be submitted from June 1 and through August 31, 2008. The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation will accept and collect submissions on the commissioners’ behalf.

“DCED has determined three types of projects that are eligible for these funds,” says PMEDC Executive Director Chuck Leonard. “Public interest projects, community improvement projects, and economic development projects. We will guide applicants through the single application process and submit those applications to the commissioners for their review.”

Though the DCED expects to announce funding selections in November, Leonard cautions that the unpredictable nature of gaming receipts may affect both the timeline and the amounts of the projects that are selected.

The Local Share Account, established as part of the PA Racehorse Development and Gaming Act, designates that two percent of Mt. Airy’s gross terminal revenues be used “to support and enhance community and economic well-being and mitigate the impact of gaming and related activities.”

However, Monroe County may not realize the full benefit of Mt. Airy’s revenues for quite some time. Because the county falls below population thresholds established by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the two percent Local Share is allocated to two equal funds: one to fund projects in Monroe County and the other to fund projects in contiguous counties, including Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne.

“The Board of Commissioners is still frustrated by the difficulties related to losing half of our share to regional neighbors and how that constrains the number of projects that will benefit within Monroe County. We are the only local host of a gaming facility that must share the revenues with surrounding counties. That just doesn’t seem fair when we have so many needs related to economic development and infrastructure.”

The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation is 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.

The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC) announced today the development of Enosis – The Broadband Facilitators, a new working entity whose mission is to aggregate demand and facilitate business and scholastic use of broadband Internet services in Monroe County.

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.

A 2005 study by the Affinity Group asserted that Monroe County had “ubiquitous” residential broadband access, so Enosis will focus primarily on aggregating business broadband demand and assisting a school district in taking full advantage of the region’s broadband capabilities.

“Monroe County is fortunate because most of our residents already have access to broadband Internet service,” said PMEDC Marketing Director Michelle Bisbing, who is in charge of overseeing Enosis’ efforts.

“Other communities’ BOAF programs are forced to focus first on aggregating consumer access. We’re able to get ahead of the curve and concentrate our efforts on the business and educational community. With projects like the Penn Regional Business Center in our near future, that focus is especially important.”

Bisbing says that Enosis is already far along in negotiations on its first large business aggregation project. She expects an announcement within the next few weeks.

“The lion’s share of PMEDC’s work is devoted to expanding and retaining existing business,” says Bisbing. “Through Enosis, the PMEDC has an exciting opportunity to fulfill that mission by encouraging the continued development of the broadband infrastructure our businesses, schools, and residents need to remain competitive in the future.”

PMEDC engaged Dellicker Strategies of Kutztown, PA as a project consultant to facilitate the entire process. Dellicker Strategies is focused on helping educational and economic development clients improve their capacity to use technology. Its consultants and partners offer a track record of success in completing ambitious regional projects. Its specialty is leveraging community cooperation to help clients get more for less.

In 2007, Dellicker Strategies facilitated $23 million in new telecommunications contracts for 130 schools, hospitals and businesses.

The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation is 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 can be found at www.www.pmedc.com. More information regarding broadband and telecom services in Monroe County can be found at EnosisBroadband.com.

High schools and colleges throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania now have a new, free tool to educate students on what types of jobs will shape the region’s future.

Wall Street West today announced the official launch of Wall Street West / Career Gates, a series of dynamic videos aimed at informing the current and future workforce about exciting and unique careers in financial services and other information technology industries in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The videos focus on both the variety of occupations that currently and potentially will exist in the region, as well as the educational tracts needed to be successful in them.

“The common misconception students have is that the industries of the future are only developing in major metropolitan areas,” Susan Shaffer, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Wall Street West said. “With the Wall Street West / Career Gates series, we can reach out to students and provide tangible proof that the jobs of tomorrow are being developed in Northeastern Pennsylvania today.”

“The potential and creativity of Northeastern Pennsylvania students is too great to lose to other states, but for them to use their talents to better the commonwealth, we have to inspire and support their efforts through education and innovation.” Shaffer continued.

A total of six videos were created and customized to reach students in different areas of the Wall Street West region. Each video contains interviews with educators and students discussing the types of curricula that are available at the colleges and universities throughout the region. In addition, the videos share interviews with industry executives and their staffs on the type of work they do and why they enjoy doing it in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Pocono Region participants Include:

· Gary Olson, President & CEO, ESSA;

· Craig Zurn, President & CEO, Jim Thorpe National Bank;

· Ian Scott-Dunne, Chairman & CEO, Stellar Financial;

· Dr. Robert Dillman, President, East Stroudsburg University.

Developed through a partnership with PBS 39 and the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, the Wall Street West / Career Gates videos will be distributed to high schools and colleges throughout the Wall Street West region, which includes the counties of Berks, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne. In addition, the videos will be accompanied by resources for educators, such as lesson plans and reference documents, which will supplement current curriculum.

“PBS 39 was thrilled to produce the Wall Street West / Career Gates series for area schools,” said Dr. Teri Haddad, Vice President of Education Media Services, PBS 39. “Teachers today are in need of high quality media to engage their tech-savvy students. The high energy, fast paced series includes supplemental lesson plans that match Pennsylvania academic standards. Each regional program highlights an educational institution and two financial service businesses. This educational tool not only describes the importance of the initiative, but takes students through ‘cool’ places to work. Northeast Pennsylvania is a great place to live and work, and the Wall Street West / Career Gates series encourages students to explore the opportunities this region has to offer.”

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 Department of the Treasury – which identifies the nine-county region as 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 fiscal agent, 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 610-758-5226 or visit www.wallstreetwest.org.

From its humble beginnings as a Normal School in 1893 to its position in 2008 as a comprehensive university, East Stroudsburg University has become a major economic engine in Monroe County.

East Stroudsburg University is currently the ninth largest employer in Monroe County, providing 750 jobs directly and creating a total employment impact of 1,206 jobs. The university generates more than $273.5 million annually in direct and indirect business stimulus, including $109.9 million per year in Monroe County alone. This encompasses the impact of spending by the institution, faculty, staff, students and visitors. The Commonwealth also receives $2.66 million per year from state sales tax generated by ESUemployee and student spending and state income tax generated by employee salaries.

Rendering of the 51,000 sq. ft., $11 million dollar Computer Security Research Center/Class A Office building to be constructed in East Stroudsburg.

Academically, ESU has evolved into dynamic university offering 68 undergraduate and 21 graduate degree programs to more than 7,000 students. With over 300 teaching faculty committed to academic excellence, ESU has earned its reputation as a student centered university.

East Stroudsburg University’s contributions to regional economic development efforts are noteworthy. The university has been identified as a “best practice” model in community and economic development regionally and by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The success of the university’s Business Accelerator Program has led to the creation of nine high tech companies, over 83 new jobs, and to the development of the ESU Research and Technology Park on 11 acres of university-owned property. The Research and Technology Park will be managed by the ESU Center for Research and Economic Development (CFRED). CFRED is focusing on attracting companies and educational opportunities in the areas of homeland security, financial services, biotechnology/life sciences, information technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Economic impact projections of Phase 1 of the project include the construction of a 51,000 sq. ft., $11million dollar Computer Security Research Center/Class A Office building; over 254 new jobs, average wages of $47,857 and $42.3 million into the Monroe County economy.

ESU is one of the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Economic development efforts across PASSHEinstitutions have not gone unnoticed. In FY 07-08, PASSHE received its first legislative appropriation totaling $1.878 million to support economic development initiatives across the Commonwealth. ESU was awarded one of three PASSHE appropriations to create an Entrepreneurial Leadership Center on campus.

In the area of sponsored projects and research, ESU secured over $14 million in grant funded revenue from 2002-2007; and in the area of workforce development more than $700,000 was awarded in employee-training grants involving 45 businesses and supporting training for hundreds of employees.

Each year, East Stroudsburg University produces skilled and successful graduates. As of fall 2006, the University had more than 35,000 alumni, about 20,860 of whom live in Pennsylvania and contribute to the vitality of its communities and economy.

East Stroudsburg University is an economic engine for Monroe County. It is well-positioned as a major center for Innovation and Science and Technology in northeastern Pennsylvania. The University’s new $40 million dollar Science and Technology Center, opening fall semester 2008 will be a major attraction in bringing innovative business and education collaborations to the region. Additionally, ESU is strategically located 75 miles west of New York City and 85 miles northeast of Philadelphia, placing it in close proximity to the nation’s top global pharmaceutical and financial services companies.

The university is also located in the nine-county Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Wall Street West Region and is actively engaged in the Pocono Mountains Keystone Innovation Zone (PMKIZ). These initiatives, supported by the creation of the University’s new College of Business, Management and Economics, provide a strong foundation for ESU to expand its regional alliances and academic and economic opportunities enabling the university to better prepare its students to serve, lead and succeed in a global community. For more information about East Stroudsburg University, visit www.esu.edu.

The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) has unveiled a groundbreaking new report that reveals its members have partnered with local, state and federal governments, as well as the private sector, to leverage $4.8 billion in investments in Pennsylvania that have helped to create 186,000 jobs.

The report, 2007 Economic Development Corporation Impact and Client Satisfactory Study, covers work done by PEDA members during the first four years of the Rendell administration, from 2003-06. To determine impact, surveys were completed of PEDA members and their customers.

“The results are clear – PEDA, through its member economic and industrial development corporations are making a dramatic difference in communities all across the state,” said Chuck Leonard, Executive Director of Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation. “We are getting results.”

Among the other findings were:

• Industrial Development Corporations (IDC) worked with funding sources to help provide more than $1.45 billion from grants, loans, tax credits and other sources to clients;
• Through IDC assistance, respondents also leveraged more than $3.35 billion in private equity, bank participation and bond sales;
• IDCs account for more than $1 billion in activity every year;
• The top method of job creation reported in the survey is expanding local businesses;
• As experienced community leaders that understand their communities, IDCofficials target specific industries for promotion and recruitment;
• Target industries include cutting edge fields in biomedical, health care and information technology; and
• The most commonly used funding sources are the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Economic Stimulus Package.

“IDC/EDCs in Pennsylvania are proud of the role we play in Pennsylvania’s future by helping companies to grow, expand and locate in the commonwealth,” said PEDA IDC Committee Co-Chair David Black, who is President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC.

During the time of the study, a wide array of development projects were initiated statewide, including the Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East, here in Coolbaugh Township.

“The study clearly identified economic development in Pennsylvania as a partnership of the private sector, state, federal and local government and talented economic development professionals at the regional and local levels throughout Pennsylvania,” said PEDA President J. Patrick Killian, who is a volunteer with PEDA and professional economic developer who is the Director of the Delaware County Commerce Center. “We especially want to note and thank Secretary Dennis Yablonsky and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and members of the General Assembly for providing both leadership and partnership.”

The report was done by Urban Research and Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Lehigh County with funding provided by a grant from the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Team Pennsylvania Foundation is a public/private, economic development partnership whose mission is to improve Pennsylvania’s competitiveness and economic prosperity. For more information on Team Pennsylvania Foundation, click here.

About PEDA

The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) is the statewide association of local, state, corporate and non-profit economic development professionals and partners. We represent economic development and economic development professionals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For more information on PEDA and to view the entire report, click here.

PMEDC’s marketing one-sheets are an easy way to get printable snapshot data on Monroe County. They are currently available for download at our Resource Page.

Just scroll down and you’ll find them in the publications section.