Economic Insider — July 2, 2009

Director's Focus
At the Halfway Point

Can you believe it, we’re half way through 2009! Time passes so quickly - although I’m certain this is a function of our relative wellbeing. For folks facing major challenges, such as those associated with a bad economy, I can imagine a different experience.

As we reach the 2009 halfway mark, a review of our strategic plan indicates progress as anticipated with initiatives slated for the year. Some highlights…

Improvements at the Crawford Business Park to accommodate the expansion of Acutec Precision Machining, and closing on the associated PA Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and bank financing necessary to fund these improvements have been completed on time and within budget. Many thanks to Scott Dunkelberger and his staff at PIDA, and to Tom Stanton and Ed Miller at Northwest Savings Bank for their extraordinary efforts in completing these transactions. A major thank you to Chuck Swick of The Shafer Law Firm who represented the Alliance in successfully navigating through a rather difficult process.

Also at the Crawford Business Park, space renovations are nearing completion for Warren Industries and we are now planning significant improvements to 80,000 square feet of space, to include roof replacement and mechanical system upgrades, for Birkmire Trucking. The latter is also scheduled for completion in 2009.

Construction of a new east entrance at the Crawford Business Park is in full swing and the reconstruction of Broadway, a major eastern access road serving the park, will begin as planned within the next few weeks.

Our efforts to consummate the acquisition of the former Tel-O-Post facility in Linesville are also nearing completion. A final draft Consent Order and Agreement has been agreed to by all parties and is now subject to a 60 day public comment period required by the Department of Environmental Protection. While a bit behind the originally planned schedule, I am confident that we should be able to finalize this transaction in early September, and that the facility will be available for occupancy very soon thereafter.

This week’s observation: it is a very unfortunate fact that the practice of economic development in communities is regularly hindered by the actions of parochial or geopolitical policy makers. Elected leaders and others are too influenced by municipal borders and often seem incapable of taking action in support of the common good.

Until next time .....

Mark Turner

Latest Project at the Crawford Business Park

Construction has begun on the latest project at the Crawford Business Park and the first in a long-range plan for site improvements and building renovations in the park's east property. A contract was recently awarded to Kapanick Construction Company of Meadville for the construction of an east entrance vestibule which entails a new lighted, secure entranceway on the east side of the main facility along Broadway. Site work began this week and will continue through the next couple of months.

In connection with this project are improvements to the east parking area. These include expanding the parking area to add about 80 spaces, and the curbing and resurfacing of Broadway. Construction on this phase of the project will begin within the next few weeks.

The total project is being completed through a $699,975 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Infrastructure Development Program grant and will bring much need improvements to the east side of the facility. Long range plans for the east property include the adaptive re-use of 100 acres and over 200,000 square feet of abandoned buildings.

College-City Collaboration to Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas

With grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Allegheny College environmental science professor Jennifer DeHart and a group of environmental studies students have begun a two-part project to help the city of Meadville reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Part one of the project, which is currently underway, involves completing a greenhouse gas inventory including the development of emissions projections for the city. In part two, DeHart will work with stakeholders in the community to develop a climate action plan which will help the city move toward a mutually agreed upon emission reduction target.

Andrew Pfeifer, a senior environmental science major with a minor in German; Brendan O'Leary, a junior with a double major in environmental science and environmental geology and a minor in religious studies; and Sam Elliot, a junior with an environmental science major and English minor, will work with DeHart and Meadville City Manager Joe Chriest to complete a baseline inventory of such contributors to greenhouse gas emissions as vehicle emissions, waste water, solid waste, natural gas, electricity and refrigerants. The second part of the project, developing an emissions reduction target and climate action plan, will take place in concert with the inventory work.

"This project not only serves the city well, promising to make Meadville the first municipality in the region to have a professionally developed greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan, but it will also provide students with real-world, hands-on experience, a major component of Allegheny's well-regarded environmental science department pedagogy," said DeHart.

DeHart has collaborated and directed similar projects on a variety of scales including institutions, multiple counties and states. In her past work, she has collaborated with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives support staff and used the council's software for inventorying, projections and modeling mitigation strategies. Since 2001, she has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium (PERC) energy and climate committee. Allegheny College will collaborate with PERC and the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives to complete this project.

"Putting it all together, from inventory data and goals to strategies and tactics into a climate action plan that engages our citizens in creating effective solutions is the ultimate objective of the project." said DeHart. Individuals or organizations who would like to become involved in developing Meadville's climate action plan should contact DeHart at jennifer.dehart@allegheny.edu.

Charting the Course to College

Searching through 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities for the right fit can be a daunting adventure for many students and their families. Allegheny College is presenting a one-day seminar, Charting the Course to College, on Friday, July 10, 2009 to assist with the college search process, providing the opportunity to share ideas, questions and concerns about the student's future plans.

The workshop, designed particularly for high school sophomores and juniors, offers professional insight into conducting a thorough and effective college search. Events include interactive sessions, keeping both college-bound students and their families in mind. Workshop topics will include:

  • a college search timeline
  • preparing for the college interview and campus visit
  • ask the experts: collegiate athletics and recreation, student activities and residence life
  • connecting with your counselor
  • paying for college
  • student perspectives: what's college life really like?

    • Registration for the workshop is available online. Registration on the day of the event will be from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. at the balcony level of the campus center. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with an optional Allegheny presentation at 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. A complimentary lunch and campus tour will be available to all participants. For further information, contact the Allegheny College admissions office at 814-332-4351.

    Honoring Crawford County's Senior Citizens

    Wesbury is starting a new tradition - honoring Crawford County's senior citizens through an annual Senior and Community Awards program. The inaugural Senior Tribute Banquet will be held on October 15th at the Iroquois Club, Conneaut Lake. Invitations for the banquet will be mailed in the fall but nominations are now open for individuals and groups to be considered.

    A committee of community volunteers will review and select an award winner from each of the following three categories: community clubs, organizations or individuals that are doing a great job of promoting and supporting senior citizen projects; senior citizen organizations and groups who are doing an outstanding job of community service; and an individual senior citizen who is doing an oustanding performance within the community.

    To be eligible:

    • all nominees must either be senior citizens (age 65 or over) or have involvement in senior citizen activities
    • all associated service activities must have a community-oriented focus not an individual improvement significance
    • the activities and community service work must have great importance and value to meeting a specific need within the community
    • the performance must have some originality and diversity as it relates to community service

      • If you have someone or some organization you would like to nominate, or would like further information, contact Nina Bell at 814-332-9264.