Economic Insider — August 28, 2009

Director's Focus
Stronger for our Efforts

As you may have read, or heard, our recent need to furlough a substantial number of valued employees at the Economic Progress Alliance was exacerbated by the effects of the prolonged state budget impasse as a number of public and not-for-profit organizations directly affiliated with government agencies are unable to make timely rental payments. Because our staff functions without public subsidies or financial support and because sustaining the future efforts of the Economic Progress Alliance is critically important to the community, a quick response to changing realities was necessary to ensure our long term viability as an organization.

I do expect that at some point in the not-to-distance future (you have to be an optimist to be in the economic development business) we will see a responsible state budget adopted that will result in the payment of back rents. We will eventually recover and actually expand our revenue stream and, in the short term, benefit by the reduction in personnel and operating expenses. Like most businesses directly dependent upon operating revenues, current circumstances have required us to take a full accounting of our operations, make adjustments, and plan carefully for the future. In the meantime, while we have scaled back some, all key functions of the mission of the Alliance continue.

Cash flow challenges are a consistent problem for not-for-profit economic development organizations all across the country. What is somewhat unusual is the self-sustaining nature of the operations of the Economic Progress Alliance. As a goal, we have established by the investment of time and capital, over many years, the ability to be largely self-funded. We believe the work of the Alliance is very important and sustaining this work over long periods of time, requires the development and management of a financially viable organization. And while this sometimes means the acceptance of difficult change, ensuring that the Alliance remains a strong economic development agency to affect long term benefits to the community is a very high priority.

Thanks to all who support us in our effort.

Until next time…

Mark Turner

Free Entrepreneur Training Series - Marketing Through Social Meda

Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are some of the biggest social networking and media fads being used today. A FREE social media marketing seminar is being presented at the Northwest Commission, 395 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA on Wednesday, September 9, from 9-11 a.m. This seminar will focus on how to build real relationships with customers and clients through this hot, new form of marketing. To register for this seminar and help market your business, contact Kris at the Clarion University Small Business Development Center, send e-mail to: kstiglitz@clarion.edu or call 814-393-1797 or toll free at 877-292-1843.

Reminder from PennDOT: School is starting, be alert and drive safely

As the new school year begins, PennDOT reminds motorists to help ensure the safety of children returning to classes by exercising increased caution during daily commutes as school buses and students appear more frequently on and along roadways.

Crawford County school districts will be resuming classes next week, with the Titusville District going back on September 1, and Conneaut, Crawford Central and Penncrest all beginning their classes on September 2. This is an exciting time for students returning to school, and the addition of the school bus traffic means that all motorists need to remember to obey the traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones.

For information on Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law and additional safety tips and programs, you can visit PennDOT’s highway safety Web site: www.DriveSafePA.org and click on the School Bus Safety link under the Traffic Safety Information Center.

Construction update for the Crawford Business Park

Kapanick Construction is continuing work on the new entrance located on the east side of the Crawford Business Park and expects to complete the project by mid September. The new brick and glass entrance being constructed is going to be an extraordinary addition to the east side of the building.

On August 10, Landfried Paving, Inc., began work on the Broadway Improvements project. Work is expected to continue on this project through mid October, and consists of parking lot expansion and the curbing and resurfacing of Broadway. The parking lot expansion will add 82 much needed spaces to the east side of the facility.