The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation’s ability to provide infrastructure support, grants, low cost loan programs, and working capital is on full display in the first installment of a new video series designed to highlight Monroe County, Pennsylvania’s most innovative companies. The series, which premiers this week, was produced as part of PP&L’s Blue Ribbon Grant program.
“PPL’s continued support of our marketing initiatives over the years has allowed us to do some really innovative and creative projects,” says PMEDCExecutive Director Chuck Leonard. “We developed a mobile version of our website for use on smart phones and tablets, we added a Report Builder function to our website targeted at site selectors, we added Virtual Tours of selected properties to our online property database and we now have a trade show booth of our own to promote the Poconos as a business destination. These projects would not have been possible without the PPL Blue Ribbon Marketing Program.”
The first video in the series focuses on Vigon International, a worldwide leader in the flavor and fragrance manufacturing industry, located in East Stroudsburg.
“This is a thrilling step in our marketing development on a number of levels” says PMEDC Marketing Director Michelle Bisbing.
“Great companies have come to Monroe County, because our proximity to market and low business costs make this an ideal location,” she continues. “and we’ve been looking for a way to highlight our entrepreneurs and manufacturers. This video series gives us a great opportunity to do that.”
“It also gives us the chance to show aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners that may have hit the wall in their present locations, that PMEDC can support them every step of the way, whether that means facilitating infrastructure development, providing grants to fund job-creating construction, low-interest loans, and even working capital.”
Bisbing says Vigon was chosen for the initial installment because PMEDChas been involved in the company’s evolution every step of the way. Vigon President Steve Somers echoes that thought.
“PMEDC has been very supportive of us over the years,” says Somers, “going back to our first significant infrastructure development, which was our distribution facility.”
“We needed to get a water line to the facility and they were there to help us. They got a state grant and worked with the water authority to get that done for us.”
Bisbing adds that the video series also continues PMEDC’s deliberate evolution in the social media space. In addition to streaming the video at PMEDC.com, the video is the first to appear on a PMEDC-curated YouTube channel. She says that the goal for that channel is to add additional long- and short-form video highlighting Monroe County’s businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We want our owners to know that our primary focus is to promote them and help them succeed, because that’s really what it’s all about, having a wide variety of job creating businesses that contribute to a healthy local economy.”
Asked which companies might be highlighted in the next installment, Bisbing was open minded.
“You need a good mix to have a robust economy,” says Bisbing, “and the most important message we can convey is that regardless of their size, PMEDC is here to help our existing companies as well as businesses that are ready to relocate here.”
“Our mission is to help businesses provide jobs and enhance Monroe County’s quality of life. This video series focused on our local innovators is just the latest tool in the toolbox that helps us do that.”