Economic Insider — March 13, 2009

Director's Focus
Spring is around the corner

While signs of economic challenge are apparent throughout the community, region and nation, we at the Economic Progress Alliance remain focused on implementing our recently adopted strategic plan, and foresee a very active spring and summer construction season ahead. First up will be the completion of a major manufacturing space renovation and climate control project to accommodate growth at Acutec Precision Machining. This project will convert about 70,000 square feet of early 20th century manufacturing space to a modern facility capable of maximum temperature control, a requirement in the aerospace production business.

Our attention is also currently directed to a project we are very excited about. In the early spring we will begin efforts to implement our plan to improve the eastern section of the Crawford Business Park. Following are a few projects to be completed at the Crawford Business Park this spring/summer:

  • reconstruction of Broadway including curbs, lighting
  • construction of new parking lot
  • construction of new east entrance portico
  • new Acutec employee entrance
  • new Acutec office/visitor parking
  • screening / landscaping

At the Keystone Regional Industrial Park, we continue efforts aimed at constructing the water system to service future occupants at the park. While sufficient funding is in place to begin this major initiative this summer, and planning and design are very near completion, we are investigating the availability of additional funding under the Federal "Stimulus Plan" to determine the extent to which we might be able to complete the entire water project at this time. Requests for additional funding have been submitted to the federal Economic Development Administration and are pending

On another front... Keystone Opportunity Zones Extensions

As you may know, a number of targeted economic development properties in Crawford County, and many throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, applied for and were granted tax exempt status as Keystone Opportunity Zones (or Keystone Opportunity Extension Zones). As the benefits associated with the establishment of these zones are expiring or will soon expire, a new law enabling the extension of these zones was passed in 2008. As the coordinator of KOZ's in Crawford County, we have been working with the owners of current zone properties to secure extensions should they so desire. Additionally, we have been pursuing authorization for the extension of two zones affecting properties currently being developed by the Economic Progress Alliance: the Keystone Regional Industrial Park and Crawford Woodlands in Vernon Township. Approval to extend Keystone Opportunity Zones for an additional seven years requires adoption of supportive resolutions from all local taxing bodies including the County, Township and school districts.

While in a more ideal environment it might not be necessary or advisable to adopt policies in support of tax exemptions, in our current situation retaining the tax exempt status of the KOZ is a competitive imperative. We are hopeful that the various taxing authorizes will continue to support the use of this important resource.

Until next time...

Mark Turner

Local Company Receives S.H.A.R.P. Certificate

On Wednesday of this week, Fisher & Ludlow in Saegertown received the Certificate of S.H.A.R.P. (Safety Health Achievement Recognition Program) from Greg Sipos, an OSHA consultant from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Fisher & Ludlow is the only manufacturing plant in Crawford County to presently hold the SHARP Certificate.

To be eligible for this certificate, Fisher & Ludlow Saegertown successfully completed two years of cooperation with the OSHA Consultation program and during that time had zero lost time accidents and continues to have zero lost time accidents to date. They continue efforts to provide the safest possible work environment for their employees by having a combined Union-Company Certified Safety Committee.

The SHARP program recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. Companies from any industry sector with two or more employees are eligible to participate. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, that worksite will be exempt from programmed inspections during the period that the certification is valid. To participate in the program, a company must satisfy all SHARP requirements, then be recommended for final approval and certification by the state's Consultation Project Manager. With the initial certification, a company will be granted inspection exemption up to two years. After that, the company may request renewal up to three years.

Fisher & Ludlow Saegertown was nominated for the 2007 Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Safety Excellence and in 2008 received an Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence.

Fisher & Ludlow manufactures steel, stainless steel and aluminum grating for the construction industry. They became part of Nucor, one of North Americas largest steel producers, in 2007 and have been growing ever since. Over the last two years, they have about doubled their number of employees to about 60, added new machinery and increased output. The company now puts out 35-40 tons of grating made from U.S. steel every three or four days. With the current economic environment, orders have been running hot and cold but recently have leveled out to a point where the company plans to add five new employees to the shop floor.

Helpful Links

The Governor's Advisory Council on Rural Affairs recently listed some web sites in their Rural Focus newsletter that may be helpful to Pennsylvania residents:

www.parxpricefinder.com - by entering a zip code and name of a drug, consumers can access a list of local pharmacies with price comparisons

www.recovery.pa.gov - information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and how the money will be used to help the Commonwealth's residents and businesses; the local projects section on the site breaks down details particular to all Pennsylvania counties

www.keystonehelp.com - loan and rebate program for energy saving improvement projects for Pennsylvania homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements;

www.papropertytaxrelief.com - rebate program foe eligible Pennsylvania seniors; June 30th deadline

www1.va.gov/homeless - the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide variety of programs and initiatives to help homeless vets

www.heretohelp.pa.gov - more information on existing government resources available for residents during tough economic times; includes web sites, contact information and county-by-county help lines on numerous subjects ranging from child care, health, medical care and coverage, legal services, housing and utilities to cash assistance. and more.