It is again with mixed feelings that I announce that Krista Ikirt, who served as Program Manager for the Economic Progress Alliance, has accepted a position as economic development specialist with Carolina’s Gateway Partnership in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Her experiences with the Alliance, which included loan packaging and underwriting as well as management of the Keystone Utilities Group, will serve Krista well in her new capacity. During Krista’s tenure with the Alliance, she established new records for the number of loans completed in 2006 and 2007.
I am pleased to also announce that we anticipate being able to fill the void left by Krista’s move with very capable existing staff members. Mr. Nick Felice will assume all loan administrative duties while Ms. Tracy Swihart has been promoted to manage the Keystone Utilities Group. Ms. Deana Burge will assume all business development tasks heretofore performed by Krista.
While the staff and Board of the Alliance will sincerely miss Krista’s participation, we are delighted for her new opportunity and feel good that we may have played a small role in her professional advancement.
Until next time...
Mark Turner
The Federal Reserve Board today released a report indicating a slight increase of 0.1% in January for a second consecutive month in the nation's industrial production. Output in the manufacturing sector was unchanged in January as lower output of motor vehicles and parts offset a small net gain elsewhere. The output of utilities climbed 2.2% while the output of mines declined 1.8%. The rate of industrial capacity utilization, a measure of operating rates for the nation's factories, was unchanged in January at 81.5%.
The production of consumer goods increased 0.3% in January. Consumer energy products advanced, consumer non-energy non-durables remained unchanged and consumer durables declined. Among the non-durables, small gains in the production of food, tobacco and paper were offset by declines for chemicals and clothing. Among consumer durables, production of appliances, furniture and carpeting dropped 2.1% while the output of automobile products fell 1.2%. However, the output of home electronics and miscellaneous consumer durables rose.
The output of business equipment rose slightly as increases in information processing equipment and transit equipment outweighed a decrease in industrial and other equipment. The major increase in transit equipment was seen in civilian aircraft, while both auto and truck assemblies declined. Lower production indexes for machinery used in mining and in farming contributed to the decrease for industrial and other equipment. The output of defense and space equipment increased after having been unchanged in December with gains widespread among its components.
The output of electric utilities increased 2.1% in January while the output of natural gas utilities climbed 3%. The operating rate at utilities rose 1.8 percentage points to 87.7%. Mining production fell 1.8% with widespread decreases among its components.
source: Federal Reserve Board
The season is just around the corner - golf that is. Even though there is still snow on the ground with the promise of more to come, numerous county residents are getting out their clubs in anticipation of the start to the season. If you find some clubs need repaired or replaced, a small shop in Meadville may be able to help you. Wayne (Ozzie) Kurt, in his semi-retirement, has started a small business, OZCO, for fitting, repairing and re-gripping clubs as well as custom building clubs.
Ozzie Kurt, a native of Meadville, has been in the tool industry as a grinder for forty years. He served his apprenticeship at Leech Tool and Die and remained with the company for nine years. Time after that was spent at Pasco Tool and as part-owner of Moon Tool.
Ozzie has also been an avid golfer for over 25 years and combined his tooling experience with his love for the game about seven years ago when he began doing grips, replacing shafts and building clubs. He is now semi-retired and is expanding that business. If you would like further information, or need work on your clubs or even new clubs, give Ozzie a call at 814-336-5054 or 814-573-8943.
The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is presenting a free workshop about doing business with the Commonwealth on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The workshop, sponsored by the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center, is geared toward small business owners interested in learning about contracting opportunities with the Commonwealth but will also cover certification of minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
Topics to be covered include whether or not the state buys what you sell, how the state government purchases goods and services, state and federal government programs that help small businesses find contracting and subcontracting opportunities, and using state contracting to help your business grow as well as certifications for minority and women-owned businesses.
The PA Department of General Services purchases more than $4.5 billion in goods and services each year and established procurement policy and procedures for most Commonwealth agencies. The Department's Bureau of Procurement acts as the purchasing agency for statewide requirements contracts and for purchase orders for supplies in excess of $20,000 and for services in excess of $250,000.
To register or to obtain further information, contact the Duquesne University SBDC by email or phone 412-396-6233. Online registration is also available.
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Center for Trade Development is organizing a trade mission to Russia from June23-26, 2008 for interested Pennsylvania companies. This is a first of its kind to this market as Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to establish a full-time trade representative based in Moscow on January 1, 2008.
Participating companies will receive customized itineraries, in-country market briefings and logistical support, and company meetings in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Target sectors include telecommunication equipment and services; construction equipment and building products; medical equipment; auto and auto parts; computer hardware and software; agriculture machinery; safety and security equipment; aircraft parts; oil and gas field equipment and services; consumer products; power generation; min8ing equipment and services; port equipment and prefab housing.
Russia is the largest country in the world and has the 8th largest population (143 million). It is becoming more westernized with consumer preference for western products. U.S. exports to Russia reached 4.7 billion in 2006. It is also expected to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) this year which should further improve the business environment.
Registration deadline for this trade mission is March 1, 2008. Participation is $950 for the first person and $250 for each additional person. Participating companies are responsible for all travel and business related expenses including translators and drivers. Opportunities for financial assistance from DCED may be available to qualifying companies to help offset the cost of the mission. For further information, contact Dorte Heffernan at the NW Commission, 814-677-4800 x 110
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Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street, Suite 101
Meadville PA 16335
814-333-2299
02/28/2008