Northwestern PA Keystone Innovation Zone Approved
The Northwest Planning and Development Commission recently received formal state designation of a new four-county Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ). In the counties of Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Clarion, academic institutions including Alleghany College, University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, Clarion University and Thiel College have agreed to support focused research and coordinated resource allocation to encourage strategic innovation and technology transfer in the region.
The beneficial impact colleges and universities have on the communities in which they operate is widely understood and I hope fully appreciated. However, additional impact generally even greater in magnitude and benefit are felt in those communities in which concentrations of basic and applied research are taking place. In the 40s, 50s and 60s these places were largely supported by major federal labs but today most basic and applied research, both public and private, occurs at universities and associated installations.
While no formal or concentrated research institutions operate within Northwestern PA, a committed collaborative effort by the institutions noted above to inventory current and future research capacity, and to support a culture of technology transfer, offers the potential of creating a “virtual” research institution for the region supportive of new product innovation and other technology transfer opportunities beneficial to the region and participating institutions.
The new KIZ is headquartered at the NW Commission’s offices in Oil City. The following deliverables have been established for its first year of programming:
· Provide outreach and business assistance to up to 20 companies
· Create at least 4 new start-up businesses
· Create up to 20 new full-time jobs/retain at least 20 full-time jobs
· Provide education/training to at least 80 entrepreneurs
· File at least 3 patents
· Place at least 23 interns at KIZ companies
· Develop at least 4 students to assist KIZ development
· Facilitate at least 5 corporate partnerships/research contracts with KIZ academic partners
· At least 12 articles published or aired on KIZ entrepreneurs
· Leverage up to $500,000 in new investments documented in the region
A lot of good people have made the commitment to establish this KIZ and its mission. We thank each for their support of continued economic development of the region. Amara Geffen, Director of the Center for Economic and Environmental Development at Allegheny Colleges, deserves special thanks for her efforts to manage the KIZ formation and state authorization.
Until next time..
Mark Turner
The Meadville Redevelopment Authority recently approved an Enterprise Zone loan in the amount of $250,000 to 11010 McHenry St. LLC for the acquisition of property and land at the West Mead Industrial Park for the purpose of re-establishing recycling operations at the site of the former Crawford County Solid Waste Authority recycling center.
11010 McHenry St. LLC is an affiliate of AIM (Ashtabula Iron & Metal) Properties LLC, a full-service recycler of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap including stainless and specialty metals operating in Ashtabula, Ohio. In operation since 1946, AIM is a family-owned business which continues to grow and is now under third-generation management. They currently have 60 employees in their Ohio operations. The West Mead location provides the company an opportunity to expand into western Pennsylvania and is projected to create approximately fifteen positions within the first year.
The company expects the West Mead recycling center to begin operation in January. It will be a full-service recycling center handling paper, plastics, cardboard, electronics and some metals.
The total project cost is approximately $1 million with the Enterprise Zone Revolving Loan only one segment. The First National Bank, Meadville Redevelopment Authority and Economic Progress Alliance worked closely together to provide a streamlined channel to funding sources to help AIM complete their project.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently published a report that looked at various aspects of life in rural America including population growth. According to this report, the population of non-metro America grew by 318,000 people between July 2005 and July 2006, a 0.6% annual increase rate below the metro growth rate of 1% for the same period but well above the non-metro annual growth rate of 0.2% at the beginning of the decade. This upturn is due to an increase in the net domestic migration - the number of people moving from metro to non-metro counties minus those moving in the opposite direction.
In 2001-02, 40,000 more people moved into non-metro counties from metro counties than moved out. The annual net flow from metro areas grew to nearly 150,000 by 2005-06. Non-metro population gains from net domestic migration were highest in western locations that combine scenic attributes with tourism, recreation, second-home development and retirement migration. Amenities combined with proximity to metro jobs fueled rapid growth in many parts of the non-metro South.
The number of non-metro counties in the United States losing population from net domestic migration declined during those same years. Most of this net migration loss continued in counties with very high poverty such as the Mississippi Delta and the Rio Grande Valley. An increasing number of counties in the Great Plains and the Corn Belt are losing population through natural decrease (more deaths than births) reflecting an aging population in addition to a high out-migration of young adults
Counties dependent on mining or manufacturing felt net migration increases during the past five years while farming-dependent counties continued to show net migration losses though at a slower rate. Counties with more diverse, service-based economies are better able to retain residents and attract newcomers.
source: The Agurban from Boomtown Institute
The first recorded Christmas tree in the U.S. was displayed in Bethlehem, PA in 1747. Made popular by German settlers, this evergreen tradition contributes $13.9 million to Pennsylvania's economy with 1.7 million cut trees produced on 45,000 acres.
The Chamber December Business After Hours will be hosted by Sprint Express, 18471 Smock Highway from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12th. In addition to enjoying the networking and refreshments, viewing new product demonstrations and receiving a special discount off accessory sale, attendees can help Sprint Express with their holiday drives for Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army.
Cost is $7 each for Chamber members and $9 each for non-members.
Also this month, the Chamber Breakfast of Champions will be welcoming to the area AIM Recycling & Demolition of Ashtabula, Ohio which recently purchased the Crawford County Recycling Center on McHenry Street. Brian Muckle, president of the company, will introduce his company and relate their plans for recycling in Crawford County.
The Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, December 14th at Perkins Restaurant, 18276 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville. Cost is $16 each for Chamber members or $18 each for non-members.
If you are interested in attending either or both of these events, make reservations with the Chamber by email or calling 814-337-8030.
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Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County
764 Bessemer Street, Suite 101
Meadville PA 16335
814-333-2299
12/20/2007