West Mead Industrial Park
At its meeting on September 20th, the Board of Directors of the Economic Progress Alliance took action to authorize the sale of all but about two acres of land it owns at the West Mead Industrial Park. The Board agreed to sell slightly more than 120 acres of land to Mr. Blair Learn. Mr. Learn intends to construct a new facility on the primary development site to accommodate the operation of a new business to be known as Chipsco Precision. This transaction is significant as it represents the successful culmination of an important economic development initiative pursued over many years by predecessor economic development organizations. Following is a general summary of current and recent economic development activities occurring at the West Mead Industrial Park:
Tapco Tube currently owns facilities of more than 250,000 square feet, and employs 45+. This company continues regular investments in technology to remain competitive and expand its markets.
Corrugated Specialties occupies a 20,000 sq. ft. facility it owns and currently employs 5 people.
D& M Tool has 17 employees and has recently expanded their facilities to 20,800 sq. ft.
Suit Kote acquired and expanded operations of an existing asphalt plant. Ashtabula Iron and Metal (AIM) recently acquired the former Crawford County Recycling Center facility and 13 acres. Suit Kote and AIM are currently collaborating with Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) to construct a siding to add rail service to both businesses.
The M & P Lumber site, while currently on the market for sale, is privately owned. This 10 acre property with a 37,750 sq. ft. facility located adjacent to rail is likely to be utilized again in the near future and is capable of supporting considerable economic activity beneficial to the area.
Including improvements at the WNYP railroad office, recent private capital investments at the West Mead Industrial Park are nearing $10,000,000. Taken collectively and again over time, these investments made in the West Mead Industrial Park by the Crawford County Development Corporation (predecessor to Economic Progress Alliance) have had the desired result; increased tax base, capital investment and jobs.
Until next time..
Mark Turner
The Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (WIB) over the past two years has worked to develop a communications network that overcomes geographic barriers within multi-county regional organizations. This network of private sector, economic development, government and education resources aims to provide assistance to help employers remain competitive in today's global market. In the 2006-07 program year, this Regional Workforce Development Network developed more than 125 training plans with 6,103 incumbent workers trained for skill upgrades, 1,179 in Crawford County. Their goal is to continue efforts to further assist Pennsylvania companies and employees by developing different types of support systems, such as innovation, layoff aversion and incubators.
The NW PA WIB also joined with the North Central and West Central Pennsylvania WIBs to establish an Industry Partnership Program as the formal infrastructure for engaging businesses within the ten industry clusters and the eight sub-clusters identified by the Commonwealth in which Pennsylvania has a competitive advantage and the potential for long-term growth. These partnerships currently cover:
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Metal and Metal Fabrication - includes public awareness campaign and industry promotion as well as education programs such as the Battle Bots IQ Project to develop student interest in manufacturing - 73 Crawford County incumbent workers reached (total 263 workers trained)
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Healthcare - pipeline development and education outreach, company recruitment and employee retention - 13 Crawford County incumbent workers reached (total 2201 workers trained)
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Electronics Manufacturing - environmental legislation requirements and possible implications, RoHS Risk Assessment survey, RoHS and WEEE directives - 5 Crawford County incumbent workers reached (total 850 workers trained)
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Plastics - internship opportunities for high school students, employ training for companies - 33 Crawford County incumbent workers reached (total 275 workers trained)
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Technology - recently developed to introduce innovative technologies to all industry sectors for overall improved regional competitiveness
Other strategic partnerships have been formed to ensure greater representation and assistance to local industries. A transportation and economic network has aided firms in the recruitment, placement and training of skilled truck drivers, and additional transportation modules such as rail, air and cargo, are being looked at to include in the network; efforts to capitalize and renew the lumber, paper and hardwoods industry are being made to renew the industry; and training programs are being revived and/or developed to meet the shortage of skilled workers for the gas and oil extraction industry which is experiencing a quick upswing after a 20-year decline.
If you would like further information about workforce development, contact Connie Frantz, Workforce Development Coordinator, at 814.333.2299 x236.
Pennsylvania, compared to all other states, has the most aggressive international trade program in the nation! The already strong foreign presence of 19 overseas trade offices strategically located across the globe has been increased with two additional trade representative offices. Effective September 1, 2007, the state has officially opened new authorized trade representation offices in France and Qatar.
Mr. Jean-Pierre Giboz will serve the France and Belgium markets. Mr. Mohammed Dobashi will serve Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
Companies interested in the above listed countries can access market research reports, receive assistance in locating agents/distributors, or obtain foreign company background checks and in-country logistical assistance. For further information, contact Dorte Heffernan at the Northwest Commission, 814.677.4800 x110.
There are many segments that define the character of Crawford County. While, of course, various industries provide a solid base for our economy, other businesses and organizations help bring recognition to our area. One of those is Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center located at 21601 Stull Road in Saegertown. They work closely with state agencies and a network of rehabilitation organizations, effectively impact environmental education in our corner of the state, and have earned a great reputation for care and rehabilitation of wildlife.
While about 50% of animals admitted die within 24 hours, a statistic true across the United States, there a those successes that show the resiliency of nature. To date this year, Tamarack Wildlife has dealt with 195 injured animals, most of which arrive at the center with impact injuries such as being hit by a car or flying into a power line or a window. Of that number, 61 died and 25 were euthanized due to the extent of their injuries and 1 was transferred to another center. However, 76 were released and 32 are pending release back to the wild.
It is those success stories that make it worth while, like the eagle found in Elk County that was blown out of its nest in a wind storm. Too young to fly, it was brought to Tamarack Wildlife where it stayed in the flight building for a week. When it started trying to fly, it was returned to the nest in Elk County to be reunited with its parents as adult eagles are the only ones that can teach a fledgling how to fly and catch fish. Or the three year old eagle that a fisherman noticed caught in the V of a tree about 50 feet up. A call to the game commission rescued the bird but not before the tree crashed into the water along with both the eagle and game warden, who worked feverishly to rescue the eagle before it was swept downstream. The eagle had one swollen foot and was delivered to Tamarack where the swelling was brought down and the eagle was released once it was able to use both feet again.
Education is an important part of Tamarack's program. To date this year, 31 presentations have reached 1,570 people. Programs are presented in schools, to scout groups and to a variety of civic groups mostly in Erie and Crawford Counties. However, programs and all-day presentations have been done as far away as Bradford and Johnstown. The success of these presentations can be demonstrated by the story of the 8 year old girl who had begged her mother to attend a program with birds of prey, sometime after which she spotted a hawk on the side of the road, recognized that it was in trouble and now knew who to call. The hawk was rescued and is rehabilitating at the center.
All this is done by volunteers and student interns, mostly from Allegheny College. The organization is supported by donations and receives no funding from local, state or federal governments. Visit Tamarack Wildlife's web site to see all that they do, or visit the center during their open house on October 7th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
The Gannon University Small Business Development Center, the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence, and the Clarion University Small Business Development Center are presenting their 2007 October Entrepreneurial Training Series, The Bedrock of Your Business, to help small businesses prosper. The series will cover seven major areas to establish, build and grow your business to achieve success (dates in parenthesis are for the Crawford County sessions):
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First Step - feasibility, licenses and regulations, legal structures to start your business (10-9)
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Market Research - successful market research for your business opportunity (10-11)
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Sales and Marketing Tactics - successful tactics to expand your customer base (10-16)
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Create Your Savvy Image - step-by-step marketing strategies (10-18)
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Management Team - human resources advantageous to business and employee (10-23)
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Accounting to Success - options for tracking business revenues and expenses (10-25)
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Writing a Winning Business Plan - outline for business planning (10-30)
Those interested may attend any or all sessions. Cost for all seven sessions is $200 per person. Cost for single topic sessions is $35 for each session per person.
The Crawford County sessions will be held at Edinboro University in Meadville, 789 Bessemer Street, Meadville. To register, call 814.871.7232 or email gusbdc@gannon.edu. Seating is limited so reserve seating in advance.
The Women's Economic Development Outreach (WEDO) Pennsylvania Tour, Erie and Crawford Counties session, will be held Thursday, October 18th, at the Manufacturers' Association of Northwest Pennsylvania, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie. The session will run from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and will include such topics as time-saving online services, cost-effective outsourcing, strategic partnerships, and a personalized road map to successful business finance.
WEDO was established in 2002 in Western Pennsylvania to provide resources for women-owned and -managed businesses. It has since expanded to six states, providing thousands of women with access to information and ideas to fuel their business growth. The WEDO Pennsylvania Tour covers 12 counties in one week.
The cost for registration is $35. To register, visit we-do.net or call 1.888.622.4249. All paid attendees will receive a free $25 National City Diamond Edition Visa Gift Card and $10 of the registration fee will be donated to ATHENAPowerLink, a business mentoring program designed to increase growth and profitability of women-owned businesses.
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Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street, Suite 101
Meadville PA 16335
814-333-2299
12/21/2007