Author: PMEDC

Harrisburg, PA– Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced July 1, 2015 that new state investments approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) will support the continued growth of Pennsylvania businesses that are projected to create at least 105 new jobs and retain 171 jobs.

PIDA approved $4.5 million in low-interest loans for four projects in Berks, Bucks, and Monroe counties that will generate more than $14.6 million in total investments.

“The projects approved by the PIDA board this month are receiving the critical capital needed to support the growth of their companies,” said Davin. “Governor Wolf’s proposed budget includes a much-needed funding increase to the PIDA program, which will provide even more small businesses with the resources they need to take advantage of future growth opportunities.”

In 2015, PIDA has approved million $23 million in low-interest loans that have resulted in more than $49.5 million in private investment and supported over 1,100 created and retained jobs.

PIDA is an independent authority staffed and regulated through the Department of Community and Economic Development. The Authority provides capital for building acquisition, construction and renovation work, machinery and equipment loans along with working capital line of credit loans, primarily for manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers looking to establish national or regional headquarters in Pennsylvania.

The PIDA board approved the following loans for Monroe County at its July meeting:

Pocono Mountains Industries was awarded a $500,000, 15-year loan at 2.25 percent, on behalf of Harmony Labels, Inc. to acquire and renovate an existing 13,790-square-foot building in East Stroudsburg Borough. An additional $400,000, five year loan at 3.25 percent, was awarded for the purchase of new machinery and equipment. This will help create a manufacturing facility to produce pressure sensitive labels for personal care products. The project will include repairs to the roof, electrical system, manufacturing floors and renovations to warehouse and office spaces. Total project cost is projected to be $2,500,000 and will create 39 new jobs.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, visit www.newPA.gov.

The long awaited Kalahari Resort & Convention center project in the Poconos is opened yesterday in Tobyhanna Township with great fanfare.

The initial portion of the two-phase project, includes an outdoor adventure park, hotel, convention center, spa and salon, golf course, retail shops, full-service restaurants and indoor and outdoor water parks. The $350 millon dollar destination is the Wisconsin-based company’s first resort in the Poconos.

“This is a spectacular project that lives up to the hype,” says Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC) Marketing Director Michelle Bisbing. “But the most exciting part is that this facility is adding jobs at all levels for residents of Monroe County.”

The second part, to be completed in March 2017, includes adding 400 guest rooms to the hotel, bringing the total number of rooms and suites to 857.

“Kalahari is thrilled to bring our authentic African resort experience to the East Coast,” says Todd Nelson, owner and president of Kalahari Resorts. “As the Pocono Mountains property begins construction, we look forward to contributing to the local economy and sharing our beyond expectations approach to hospitality with area vacation goers, conference attendees and local guests throughout the Pocono region.”

According to Pennsylvania State Representative Rosemary Brown (R-189), Monroe County received more than $160,000 in natural gas impact fees during 2014.

Brown’s announcement came on the heels of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announcing more than $220 million in overall Act 13 impact fees.

The impact fee on the Marcellus Shale industry was created with the signing of Act 13 in 2012. This is the fourth year funding has been allocated. Since 2012, the fee has generated approximately $850 million for communities across the Commonwealth.

The funding is used to repair and maintain roadways and infrastructure, ensure availability of affordable housing and protect drinking water supplies.

In addition, counties without drilling receive funding through the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund. This funding may be used for planning and development or rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, natural areas, community conservation and beautification projects, community and heritage parks, and water resources management.

The Smithsonian Channel debuts a new series this week. The first episode of “My Million Dollar Invention” plays out in neighboring Jim Thorpe and features contributions from the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

The series explores inventions large and small that have changed lives and culture throughout history, and the men and women behind these million dollar ideas.

The first episode of the series, “Shock and Awe,” tells the story of La Marcus Thompson, who invented the roller coaster. Thompson’s invention was inspired by a visit to the town of Mauch Chunk, PA – or modern day Jim Thorpe – in the 1880s.

The Switchback Gravity Railroad was a system developed to transport coal in the town. However, when people realized the excitement of riding the rail, they began to jump on board. Soon the railroad began to charge guests for the excitement of riding under the force of gravity and the Switchback Gravity Railroad became a bigger tourist attraction than Niagara Falls.

Thompson took this idea and built the first roller coaster in Coney Island, NY.

The Smithsonian Channel visited Jim Thorpe, a town that still welcomes millions of tourists each year, and the surrounding Pocono Mountains town in 2014, interviewing local historian, Vincent Hydro and gathering photos and videos from John Drury of the Much Chunk Museum and Cultural Center.

“My Million Dollar Invention” will premier, Sunday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m. on the Smithsonian Channel. A preview of the series and local channel listings can be found at the Smithsonian Channel Website.

Tobyhanna Army Depot, long a leader in forging public/private industry partnerships is opening its doors to potential partners for two days in June.

The depot plans to conduct an Industry Day to both small and large business. The event will take place at the Tobyhanna Army Depot on June 9th and June 10th, 2015. Attendees will receive briefings on TYADs capabilities, Public to Private Partnering, upcoming contracting opportunities and TYADs small business contracting goals.

Registration information about the event is available online.

There is limited space available for participants, therefore, registration will be reserved on a first come-first serve basis based on receipt of registrations. The Government will respond to company registration requests with confirmation of space being reserved or not available.

The briefings will be followed by a tour of the installation to provide information to include:

• TYADs C4ISR capabilities
• Lean/Sigma Six Model
• Live Fire Test Simulator
• Radar Maintenance and Test Facility
• Depot Maintenance of the Future
• Electro-Optics/Night Vision Testing and Repair Facility
• Cable Fabrication Shop
• Test Program Set Repository
• Specialized Industrial Operations
• The way to create enduring partnerships

East Stroudsburg, PA – Pocono Health System (PHS) and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) announced in late may that they have signed a letter of intent to merge, subject to due diligence, the negotiation of definitive transaction documents, and appropriate regulatory approvals. The Boards of Directors of both organizations, in separate meetings, authorized the letter of intent.

“We believe that the residents of the Poconos region will greatly benefit from the merger of these two longstanding, high-quality healthcare systems,” said Jeff Snyder, President and CEO of PHS. The combination of our two organizations will mean that Poconos residents will have greater access to the highest-quality clinical care in the region, the most qualified and capable physician network supported by the most sophisticated technology and advanced health records systems, all delivered locally through PMC, while being supported by the resources and scale of Lehigh Valley Health Network.”

Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP, LVHN’s President and CEO, said the two organizations have a long history of productive partnerships in certain clinical areas, such as the affiliation to provide trauma and radiation oncology services to the region. He said together as a single, integrated system, they will accelerate steps to develop and grow to bring additional, affordable healthcare services to best serve the community.

“We look forward to developing with PMC a hospital of the future that incorporates the highest level of clinical competence to provide the highest quality care close to home.” Nester said in addition, LVHN looks forward to the opportunity to provide more integrated care to the Poconos region through population health management, which includes sharing a common electronic medical records system.

Pending completion of due diligence and regulatory approvals, the parties expect the proposed merger to take effect in the first half of 2016.

If you have a great business idea and you are wondering how to turn your dream into reality, getting help early in the process is can save you time, money, and – potentially – heartache. Likewise, if you already own your own business , you know that expert advice can be even more vital after you open your doors.

You can find an expert to answer your questions about start-ups, small business development, and even business expansion when PREP(Partnerships for Regional and Economic Performance) hosts a free educational session for entrepreneurs at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 14th at East Stroudsburg University’s Center for Research and Economic Development. This event is open to anyone in Monroe County that wants to learn more about starting or developing their business.

Online Registration is available for the event.

You will discover that many of the resources you need to succeed are available right in your own backyard and PREP’s team of experts will show you how to put those resources to work for you.

“Businesses and potential entrepreneurs attending this forum will find out more about the programs and services offered by the economic development service providers throughout northeast Pennsylvania,” said Jeffrey Box, President & CEO NEPA Alliance and Northeast Region PREP Coordinator. “These providers work together to make sure people have access to the resources they need to start or grow a business.”

The Monroe County event comes on the heels of event in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties, with follow up events set for Carbon, Pike, and Wayne counties For more information on the follow-up events, please visit the Northeast PREP Website.

The former LTS Corporate Center, an expansive facility along Route 209 in Smithfield Township that once symbolized the booming Pocono real estate market, was sold in Feburare 2015 to DLP Professional Building LLC. According to the broker involved in the sale, the new owners plan revitalization and renovation efforts that they hope will return the the building to its former status as a beehive of activity.

The 71,000 square foot complex is located less than two miles off the Marshalls Creek exit of Interstate 80. It features 55,000 square feet of office space and a 16,000 square foot warehouse.

The sale was facilitated on behalf of the seller by Daniel M. Perich, CCIM and George Vlamis, CNE of KW Commercial, The Daniel Perich Group. The buyer was represented by Don Wenner of DLP Realty. The two brokers will now co-list the property for lease.

“My team and I are very proud to be involved in the sale of a very prominent property,” said Perich.

“Although it was greatly affected by the economic downturn, this building was once a huge center of business activity,” he continued. “We had leasing interest even before closing this deal and the new owners have plans to make a huge investment in building upgrades and renovations that should attract a variety of uses.

“When LTS occupied the location they employed several hundred people. We’re hoping that the renovations can bring back that kind of employment.”

Pocono Medical Center (PMC) announced in March 2015 that Nche Zama, MD, PhD, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and a nationally-recognized leader for clinical and quality outcomes, returned to lead its Cardiothoracic Surgery Program.

During Zama’s previous tenure, PMC gained national recognition as one of the nation’s highest-rated cardiothoracic programs. He rejoins PMC after spending more than two years as the Medical Director, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Program at Aria Health.

“Dr. Zama’s exceptional track record for superior clinical and quality outcomes fully complements the cardiac services offered within our ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute,” said Jeff Snyder, President and CEO, Pocono Medical Center.

“His leadership and extraordinary clinical skills led to the implementation of the cardiac surgery program in February 2007, and culminated with PMC being named one of the top cardiac surgery programs in the country just a few years later,” continued Snyder.

Zama’s national recognition has been featured in publications such as Consumer Reports which named him as one of the top 25 heart surgeons in 2011. His return to PMC will solidify the Cardiothoracic Surgery Program as the regional destination for patients in need of care.

He earned his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and his PhD in Chemistry and Master of Science Degree in Management from Harvard University. His initial training came at the Cleveland Clinic where he served as Chief Resident. He later went on to train in cardiothoracic surgery and pediatric cardiac surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, completing his specialized training in cardiac valve and complex cardiac surgery at the University of Paris, Broussais Hospital under the leadership of world renowned surgeon Dr. Alain Carpentier.

In addition to his regular medical practice, Dr. Zama frequently conducts medical missions in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Online Broadband & Technology Training (OBTT) is a statewide initiative designed to create awareness and training related to broadband technology applications via an online training library. As an added incentive and to encourage greater participation in the program, NEPA will be giving away 3 Microsoft Surface II tablets (each valued at $425) and flash drives to all users who register and take one course between 11-1-14 and 1-31-15. A fourth tablet will be given away to the person who completes the most courses. NEPA staff, their immediate families and NEPA Board members are excluded from the giveaway.

The program ends on January 31, 2015 so register today! Visit www.paobtt.com or contact Debbie Phillips at the Northeastern PA Alliance at (570) 655-5581 or (866) 758-1929.