Author: PMEDC

Although the location decisions of relocating firms have generally been driven by factors such as land costs, labor costs and access to materials and markets, today quality of life for employees is becoming an important factor as well. This holds true in particular for attracting knowledge–based industries such as telecommunications and life science related companies. In an effort to showcase some of the quality of life amenities the region has to offer, each year Penn’s Northeast hosts a Fall Festival. This year’s event was held on Wednesday, September 12th, at Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.

The event also provides the opportunity for representatives from the region to meet with prospects and form better working relationships with them. Real estate brokers, developers, site selection consultants, representatives from the Governor’s Action Team and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development were invited to spend the day either golfing, clay shooting or fishing. The day was topped off by a reception, dinner and awards. More than 60 people attended, many of them real estate brokers and developers from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

According to John Cognetti, Chairman of Penn’s Northeast, “A day like this is one part of Penn’s Northeast’s marketing program. By this event not only do we introduce the region to new out of market brokers and developers in a subtle way, but we also thank those brokers who have brought new businesses and development to the region. Going forward, another part of the program will be to more fully engage the established regional businesses.”

PPL Electric Utilities was a corporate sponsor of this year’s event. In the winter, Penn’s Northeast co-sponsors Winterfest, a day of skiing and snowboarding at Sno Mountain in Lackawanna County.

Penn’s Northeast’s mission is to market Northeast Pennsylvania as a region on a national and international level, encouraging businesses to relocate from other areas, and assist in the growth and development of existing businesses. Visit Penn’s Northeast for more information.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority will present an informational session on Tax Increment Financing for the public on August 21, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Pocono Mountain West High School Auditorium. The session is free and open to the public.

Vigon International, Inc., a Monroe County company located in East Stroudsburg, was name to the Inc. 500/5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies in America for the fifth time.

There are nearly 7 million private companies in America, and only the very best are awarded the distinction of being named to the Inc. 500|5000, the gold standard of success. And once again Vigon has the honor of being listed.

We are proud to have them in our community!

Penn’s Northeast, a regional economic development marketing organization serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Wayne Counties, held its annual meeting on June 19 at The University of Scranton’s Brennan Hall.

Newly appointed board officers include: Chairperson – John Cognetti, president, Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate; Vice Chairperson – Donald Brominski, marketing director, UGI Penn Natural Gas, Inc.

Continuing to serve as board officers include: Secretary/Treasurer – Andrew Reilly, executive director, Luzerne County Office of Community Development; Immediate Past Chairperson – Charles Leonard, executive director, Monroe County Industrial Development Authority and staff appointed Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Colleen Reardon, marketing manager, Penn’s Northeast.

Appointed at large members of the organization’s executive committee serving a two-year term include: Rich Beasley, regional community relations director, PPL Electric Utilities; John Carmody, senior vice president, senior loan officer, Wayne Bank;Rick Linde, president, Leeward Construction, Inc. ; Amy Luyster, administrator, The Scranton Plan; Kevin O’Donnell, president, CAN DO and Mike Pacyna, senior vice president, PNC Bank.
Three at large board members were nominated to serve a three-year term: William E. Sordoni, president Sordoni Construction Services; Scott Lynett, CEO of Times-Shamrock Communications and Publisher of The Times-Tribune and Brian Grove, senior director – corporate development, Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

Michael Pacyna, senior vice president, PNC Bank, was nominated to continue to serve as an at large board member filling a two-year term .

John Cognetti recognized outgoing board chair, Charles Leonard, executive director, Monroe County Industrial Development Authority for his leadership as chair and presented to him a token of appreciation for his service.

Anna Cervenak, consultant; Michael Dziak , president/CEO, Earth Conservancy; Robert Mericle, president & CEO, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services and Robert Suhosky, president, Cherry Ridge, Inc. were acknowledged for their leadership service on the executive committee from July 2008 – June 2012.

Outgoing board member Michael Dziak was recognized for his years on the board and his leadership on the executive committee, the marketing committee and the nominating committee, where he served as chairman.

Penn’s Northeast’s President Penny Cannella stressed the importance of a regional business attraction effort in today’s economy. She reviewed the organization’s accomplishments over the past year. Some of the highlights included:

– Penn’s Northeast attendance at various trade shows and conferences, representing the region and targeting new prospects.

– An international marketing effort that involved working in collaboration with PA Office of International Business Development (OIBD). 13% of Penn’s Northeast leads came through the OIBD office in 2011/2012.

– An aggressive real estate marketing campaign that included continually updating an online real estate database of available buildings and sites and ongoing email marketing campaign promoting featured properties in the region. – Hosting various special events that bring prospects to northeast Pennsylvania, showing them the many amenities the region has to offer.

For a copy of the Penn’s Northeast 2012 annual report that more thoroughly outlines the organization’s accomplishments over the past year, please call 570-883-0504.

Penn’s Northeast’s mission is to market Northeast Pennsylvania as a region on a national and international level, encouraging businesses to relocate from other areas, and assist in the growth and development of existing businesses. Visit www.pennsnortheast.com for more information.

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett announced today that MIQ Logistics will relocate its distribution facility from New Jersey to Tannersville, Monroe County, creating at least 80 new jobs within three years.

“My administration is committed to creating a business climate that positions Pennsylvania to compete for new jobs and economic investment,” Corbett said. “MIQ Logistics’ decision to relocate in Pennsylvania is a testament that this pro-business approach is working. Our efforts will result in 80 new jobs coming to Monroe County.”

MIQ Logistics will move its regional distribution operations from a 45,000-square-foot New Jersey facility into an expanded 116,000-square-foot facility in Tannersville. The company will enter into a 15-year lease at the former Roadway facility, and will invest in infrastructure, site development and employee training. The project is expected to create at least 80 full-time jobs.

The company received a $356,000 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $160,000 PA First grant, $36,000 in job training assistance and $160,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits.

“Before selecting our facility location, MIQ Logistics considered other options,” said MIQ Logistics President John Carr. “We evaluated numerous locations and elected to invest in the Tannersville area because of the business climate and local talent pool to support our anticipated expansion over the coming years. We are proud to be a part of the Tannersville community.”

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals housed within the Department of Community and Economic Development. The team works directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The Governor’s Action Team worked with Pocono Mountain Industries to bring MIQ Logistics to Pennsylvania.

“We wish to thank Governor Tom Corbett and the Governor’s Action Team for their leadership in assisting MIQ to move into this facility,” said Pocono Mountains Industries Executive Director Chuck Leonard. “This project provides sorely needed new jobs and adds a commercial user to a water system that has seen revenues decline as a result of the challenging economy. It also brings a real estate asset back into productive use.”

MIQ Logistics is a global logistics company with offices in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. MIQ Logistics enables companies to improve their transportation network and overall supply chain efficiency by offering flexible logistics solutions supported by Web-native technology and global logistics management capabilities.

For more information on MIQ Distribution, visit www.miq.com.

For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and other economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

As part of a regional initiative to improve the economic future by building partnerships that develop and apply technology for competitive advantage, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP/NEP) Board of Directors approved the investment of $25,000 to automate the Vigon batch record management system and the work order information system. By improving these systems at Vigon, we will be able to increase our market share and add new capabilities to our operation.

“The Corbett Administration’s pro-business growth policies are resulting in businesses taking a closer look at expanding in or relocating to Pennsylvania,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. “Today’s loans through PIDA were critical in making these two projects happen.”

PIDA approved $2.6 million in low-interest loans for two projects that will result in more than $4.4 million in additional private investment. In 2012, PIDAhas approved $40.6 million in low-interest loans that have resulted in $73.4 million in private investment and supported 3,590 jobs.

EVS Metal Pennsylvania Inc., a sheet metal fabricator that specializes in solar energy-related components, will create 19 new jobs within three years and transfer five existing employees from New Jersey. The company will receive an $840,000, 15-year loan at 2.25 percent, to acquire and relocate to an existing 115,230-square-foot building in Stroud Township, Monroe County. The project was sponsored by Pocono Mountains Industries Inc.

SilcoTek Corporation, which develops and applies coating technologies for metals, will create at least 27 new jobs within three years and retain 23 existing employees. The company will receive a $1.75 million, 15-year loan at 2.25 percent to construct a new 26,400-square-foot facility in Bellefonte, Centre County. SilcoTek also received a $2.4 million funding offer from DCEDincluding a $120,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $27,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, $12,000 in job training assistance and a $500,000 loan from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team and the sponsoring agency is the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation.

PIDA provides capital for building acquisition, construction and renovation work, primarily for manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers looking to establish national or regional headquarters in Pennsylvania.
For more information about economic development initiatives in Pennsylvania, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) has scheduled a Government Contracting Showcase for June 21st – 22, 2012, at the Hilton in Scranton. Any companies who are interested in doing business with the federal and state government should plan to attend. Contact Karen Ostroskie or Paula Terpak with any questions at (570) 655-5581 or email them at kostroski@nepa-alliance.org or pterpak@nepa-alliance.org.

Harrisburg – New state investments approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) will support the creation of 134 new jobs and the retention of 74 jobs in Monroe and Westmoreland counties.

“The Corbett administration is committed to partnering with the private sector to attract and retain jobs and investment,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. “The low-interest loans approved by PIDA will support more than 200 manufacturing jobs and will result in the acquisition, renovation and construction of unused industrial space.”

Northwoods Paper Converting Inc. will receive a $2 million, 15-year loan at 2 percent to acquire and renovate a 247,987-square-foot facility in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. The company will invest over $8 million and create at least 74 new jobs in three years. In addition to the PIDA loan, Northwoods received a $1,331,300 funding offer from DCED including a $150,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $148,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, $33,330 in job training assistance and a $1 million loan from the Machine and Equipment Loan Fund. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team and the sponsoring agency is the Pocono Mountains Industries, Inc.

Aggressive Grinding Service, Inc. will receive a $599,165, 15-year loan at 2 percent to construct a 14,250-square-foot addition to its existing building in Latrobe. The company, specializing in precision grinding of super-hard materials such as carbide, alloy metals and ceramics, will create at least 60 new jobs in three years and retain an existing 74 positions. The expansion, announced in February, was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team and the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland County.

PIDA provides capital for building acquisition, construction and renovation work, primarily for manufacturers, industrial developers, research and development firms, agricultural processors and employers looking to establish national or regional headquarters in Pennsylvania.

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

PPL has presented the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC) with a $10,000 grant supporting economic development marketing in 2011. The PPL Blue Ribbon Marketing Partnership Program allows local economic development organizations to submit proposals for funding each year and PMEDC was awarded funding for three separate projects.

Paul Canevari, Regional Community Relations Director for PPL commented, “We have had a long-standing partnership with PMEDC and have supported many of their marketing projects in the past. We always see creative ideas with an innovative approach and are pleased to be able to contribute once again to their success.”

One of the projects was the creation of a Report Builder module on the PMEDCwebsite. It is designed to make it easier for real estate brokers, developers and site selection professionals to prepare dossiers about specific properties in Monroe County’s available commercial industrial property inventory, along with demographic data, workforce information and financing resources. PMEDC plans to use the feature at trade shows and events, though qualified professionals will also be able to access the feature from their desktops.

“In this highly competitive business, it is important that we remain leading edge with our online tools,” said PMEDC Executive Director Chuck Leonard. “Throughout the years, the generous support of PPL’s Blue Ribbon Grant program has enabled us to do that.”

The grant also supported the re-design and update of our Community Data Sheets which are used to promote the county online, at events and in response to prospects. The four documents: Demographics, Quality of Life, Workforce & Education, Location & Transportation have been updated using 2010 Census data. They can be found on PMEDC’s website available for download.

The final project was created as a follow-up to a project funded in 2010 by PPL, which was the development of a mobile version of PMEDC’s website for all smartphone and tablet computer users. A postcard campaign promoting the development of this new technology was instituted in order to direct more smartphone device users to the mobile site. The success of this campaign is being tracked by using QR codes and visitors are incentivized to register by being entered into a prize drawing.
PMEDC has contracted with Michael Beckenbach & Associates, a Stroudsburg-area public relations and marketing company, to develop and track the success of these projects.

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.

More information regarding Monroe County’s economic development is available at PMEDC.com or mobile.www.pmedc.com on smartphones and tablet computers.