Corporators Meeting to be held on March 27th
After a very busy 12 months, the staff and board of the Economic Progress Alliance are preparing for our annual Corporators meeting to be held on Thursday evening, March 27, 2008. Held during the first quarter of the year, this meeting provides an opportunity to share our accomplishments of the past year with more than 90 individuals from the community who serve as Corporators for the Economic Progress Alliance. Additionally, a general outline of initiatives and priorities for the immediate future will be shared with those in attendance.
As reported in this column on prior occasions, 2007 was a banner year for the Economic Progress Alliance. In addition to it being the first full year of operations for our newly merged organization, we will report record setting accomplishments in many areas of economic development performance. Goals for 2008 and beyond will also be presented and new corporate officers will be introduced.
While general predictions seem somewhat pessimistic for overall economic activity on the national scene, we continue to experience a strong level of activity which we hope will result in 2008 being another great year
Until next time...
Mark Turner
News and Developments . . .
Nick Felice, Director of Business Retention and Expansion for the Economic Progress Alliance, has taken a new position out of the area and will be leaving us on Friday, March 28th. He has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Executive Director for Huntingdon County Business and Industry (HCBI) with full administrative responsibility for both organizations. Nick will be responsible for promoting the entrepreneurial environment on campus and coordinating the college's efforts with the local, regional and state initiative while at the same time fulfilling the objectives of HCBI of advancing the business, educational and civic interests of the county. He will start his new position on April 8, 2008.
Having worked in economic development for more than twelve years both here and in Somerset County, Nick knows full well how important these collaborative efforts are in the advancement of a region. Huntingdon County is a rural area much like Crawford and Nick is looking forward to applying his experience to the new challenges adherent to every new position.
"It has been a positive experience working for the Alliance. The organization is truly blessed to have such a professional and caring staff. These individuals are truly dedicated to fulfilling the mission of the organization. Under the effective and experienced leadership of Executive Director Mark Turner, the Alliance has and will continue to make a real difference for Crawford County. I am fairly certain development officials in the surrounding counties will continue to keep an eye on Crawford County well into the future. I am leaving with great admiration for all of the new friends I have made over the last 18 months. I wish the staff and board of the Alliance much success in their future pursuits."
While we will miss Nick, the entire staff of the Alliance wishes him the best. We know he will be very effective and successful in his new position.
The 2008 RoboBots Competition will be held Saturday, April 5th at Meadville Area High School, 930 North Street. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. with the Bot Battles starting at 10:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Twenty-five teams from fourteen area schools will show off their custom-built robots and compete for top honors. Participants include Cambridge Springs, Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley, Crawford County Vo-Tech, General McLane, Linesville, Maplewood, Meadville, Mercer County Career Center, PMI, Saegertown, Titusville and Venango Tech Center.
RoboBots is modeled on the BattleBots IQ program, an educational program created by the producers of the successful BattleBots television series in which homemade, remote-controlled robots face-off in competition. As the program's popularity grew, so did the realization of the possibilities and potential impact of such a program on education, manufacturing and technology development.
The BattleBots IQ Robotics educational program is comprised of a robotics curriculum based on the National Curriculum Standards and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's mechanical engineering methodology; teacher training; and national competition. Based on mathematical reasoning, scientific analysis and clear articulation of ideas, the program fosters creativity, innovation and learning through the creation of competitive robots. Key components of the curriculum include physical science, algebra, geometry, design methodology, 3D CAD, electronics, motors, pneumatics, robot control systems, computer design, tools, and materials and building design.
source: metalsinmotion.org
May the road rise to meet you
and the wind be always at your back.
Nominations are being accepted for the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence, a highly competitive award recognizing Pennsylvania businesses that demonstrate outstanding efforts in accident and injury prevention. Companies may nominate themselves or can be nominated by a third party.
Any Pennsylvania employer is eligible for the Governor's Award. Nominations are voluntary. Information and criteria used to determine finalists include workplace injuries/illnesses versus industry standards; and innovation and strategic development of safety policy and approaches. Information gained from these nominations provides valuable best practices that are shared across the state.
Initial review of all nominations is conducted by the Award's Semi-Finalist Review Committee. If approved by Labor and Industry Department officials, the semi-finalists are contacted for an on-site visit conducted by a member(s) of the Department's safety team for review of the nominee's comprehensive safety program. Site visit reports are distributed to the Review Committee for determination of finalists. Recommendations are forwarded to the Secretary of Labor and Industry who makes the final determination. Winner recognition and awards presentations will be made at a special luncheon at the annual Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Hershey.
To nominate an employer or obtain further information, visit the Governor's Award for Safety Excellence Review Process or contact Len Negley, Program Director, at 717-772-1917. Deadline for nominations is June 1, 2008.
An informal and relaxed breakfast roundtable, Breakfast with the Pros, where international marketing professionals will share their expertise with attendees will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2008 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at Knowledge Park Center, 5240 Knowledge Parkway, Erie. The pros include:
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Jon L. Woodard, Attorney at Law, - intellectual property and technology for patents, trademark, copyright and trade secret law
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Gary Carver. President of Carver International, Inc. - international freight
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Scott Conrad, Assistant Vice-President, M&T Bank - export credit insurance
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Newbridge Group - marketing opportunities and doing business with Russia
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PA Center for Trade Development and the NW Commission - assistance available to expand your business in the international arena
Breakfast and registration is at 7:30 a.m. with the roundtable discussion beginning at 8:00 a.m. Table assignment is on a first come, first serve basis. A brochure with further details and a registration form to fax is available online, or you may contact Lori Kenyon at the NW Commission, 814-677-4800 x 104.
The roundtable is provided free of charge through the NW Commission, the Pennsylvania Center for Trade Development, Erie County and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
The NW PA Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) is hosting a seminar to highlight services available to companies free or at low cost to help them succeed. The "Manufacturing Resources = Savings & Profits" seminar will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Emerald Conference Room at Cross Creek Resort, 3815 St. Rte. 8, Titusville.
Numerous regional agencies will be represented, each presenting a 15-minute overview of the services they offer followed by a Q&A session. The presentations will cover a wide range of services, including but not limited to job training and wage reimbursement, energy assistance, business planning and development, technology innovation and IT training, new product development, possible financial and grant assistance, and government procurement services. For a complete list of presenters and topics, visit www.nwirc.org .
There is no charge for the seminar but registration is required. Registration and a continental breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m. Lunch is included. To register, email Susan Hileman or contact her at 814-572-2077.
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Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street, Suite 101
Meadville PA 16335
814-333-2299
03/27/2008