Economic Insider — January 2, 2009

Director's Focus
Happy New Year

It doesn't seem possible but another year is past and a new one begun. We have seen some good and exciting things happen in our region during 2008 and look forward to providing what assistance we can to ensure this trend continues through the new year.

All of us at the Alliance wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous new year.

Until next time...

Mark Turner

New Businesses at the Crawford Business Park

A new year also brings new businesses to the Crawford Business Park as two city businesses open satellite sites.

The Pampered Palate will be opening a location in the Dillon Gallery on Monday, January 5th, in the location formerly occupied by Hetrick's, which closed at the end of December. The Pampered Palate will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their menu will feature Green Mountain coffee, fresh bakery items, hot breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold specialty subs, pizza, pre-made salads, fresh soups and hot specials. Plans include expanding this menu in the near future. The business will be cash only until the credit/debit machine arrives shortly.

The YMCA will open the Y-Express at the business park with an open house the week of January 5th. Their satellite site is open not only to park tenants but to anyone who would like to use this facility and/or their Chestnut Street location. Membership for the Y-Express site only is $20/month, or a full membership that includes both locations is $37/month.

Equipment at the Y-Express includes state-of-the-art cardio theater, life fitness treadmills and elliptical, recumbent bicycles, stability balls and resistance bands, strength training center and dumb bells. A basketball court and locker rooms are expected to be completed in the near future. If you are interested in a membership or would like more information, contact Drake Parker at 814-336-2196.

Chamber January Events

The Chamber of Commerce's January Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the Community Center of Crawford County, 1034 Park Avenue, Meadville. Armstrong in conjunction with Flick's TV, WJET-TV 24 and Fox 66, will help those attending understand the digital transition, what to look at for choosing the right HD television and optimizing your TV viewing, and what's new at Armstrong. Those present will also have the opportunity to win an HDTV.

The Chamber's Breakfast of Champions will be held Tuesday, January 27th at the Tippie Alumni Center, Allegheny College starting at 7:30 a.m. Dr. James Mullen, President of Allegheny, will highlight the relationship between the city and the college as he has experienced during his first six months in office as he continues Allegheny's commitment to community building as well as college enhancement.

If you are interested in attending either or both of these events, email the Chamber for further information or to make a reservation or phone 814-337-8030.

New Year, New Look

Coming soon - a new look for the Economic Progress Alliance web site. A new year deserves a new makeover but still with pertinent and useful information to help our region grow and to let others in on what we already know - that Crawford County is a great place to be!