Economic Insider — September 25, 2009

Director's Focus
Crawford Business Park Improvements Advancing

Efforts to significantly improve access and appearance on the east side of the Crawford Business Park are in full swing with the reconstruction of Broadway (main access road), construction of a new parking lot and the completion of a new entrance vestibule to provide access to the Business Park from Broadway. Development and increased occupancy at the Crawford Business Park in recent years has created the need for additional access and additional parking spaces.

Improvements to Broadway include stormwater management, new curbs, ramps and paving; as well as pedestrian lighting and landscaping. The new parking lot will accommodate an additional 80+ vehicles. The new entrance vestibule has been completed and will soon be opened along with the reopening of the improved Broadway.

These improvements are being funded by a $700,000 grant secured by the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. It is anticipated that these major initiatives will be completed by the end of October.

Until next time…

Mark Turner

Titusville Company Recognized

Congratulations to Bright Hospitality Inc., a Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) company that was founded in 2002, on being named as one of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in America for the second time in three years by Inc. Magazine. Bright Hospitality, an internet retail company, located in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and sells table linens, furniture and screen printed products from several retail websites.

Although Marc Templin, President and CEO of Bright Hospitality, was honored to be nationally recognized by Inc. Magazine, he was also taken aback by the news. The company’s revenues were only three or four percent higher in 2008 than they had been in 2005, and the business had been forced to cut the workforce by fifty percent in 2008 due to economics. These things considered, he did not think that there was any way the company would make the list and was hesitant to submit the requested information, but at the urging of one of the editors from Inc., he finally turned in the certified revenue figures for consideration. Upon review of the figures, Bright landed on the list again at number 4900. According to Mr. Templin, “Making the list is more of a poignant statement about the economy than it is about anything we’re doing. For a small business that was forced to respond to shrinking revenue by going from twenty full time employees down to ten, there is perhaps no greater irony than making Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing list.”

To view the complete list 2009, Inc. 5000 list, go to: http://inc.com/inc5000/2009/the-full-list.html.

Pennsylvania Earns National Recognition

This week, during its annual conference in Niagara Falls, New York, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies recognized Pennsylvania with two of five nationwide awards for contributions to the success of the national public workforce system. Sandi Vito, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, received The Eagle Award for her contributions to workforce development and for her efforts to serve Pennsylvania employers and workers. The Commonwealth was also presented with the State Excellence Award for Leadership for its Regional Career Education Partnerships for Youth (RCEP). This initiative connects businesses, education and communities in order to assist in the preparation of future workers. Pennsylvania has twenty-two RCEPs, which provide more than 323,000 students with improved opportunities for skills training and work-based knowledge that is critical for success. For more information on workforce development in Pennsylvania, visit: www.paworkforce.state.pa.us or contact the local Regional Center for Workforce Excellence, located at 764 Bessemer Street, Suite 102, Meadville, (814) 333-1286, or on the web at: www.nwpawib.org.

Alliance to Host Bulk Energy Seminar for Business Park Tenants

In an effort to assist the tenants at the Crawford Business Park with energy costs, the Economic Progress Alliance is hosting a Bulk Energy Seminar on Tuesday, September 29, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Dillon Conference Center located at the Business Park. The Alliance is working in conjunction with Northeast Energy Advisors, a Pennsylvania energy advisory and procurement firm, to present this workshop. Participants will be advised on creating a procurement strategy tailored to their individual company needs, and will learn how to gain economic benefits through aggregate or bulk utility purchases. Program participants can receive the most competitive costs for natural gas and electricity available. If you are a tenant of the Crawford Business Park and have not yet registered for this informative workshop, please contact Deana Burge at (814) 333-2299, ext. 225 or by email at: dburge@economicprogressalliance.com. For more information on Northeast Energy Advisors visit: www.northeastenergyadvisors.com.

Business Week Event Needs Volunteers

Business advisors and financial sponsors are needed by the Americans for Competitive Enterprise System (ACES) to assist with Pennsylvania Business Week, which will be held at Maplewood High School from October 19 - 23. This program helps students and educators alike learn about the American economic system and gain an understanding of how a business operates. Please contact the ACES office at (814) 456-7007 to learn more about how you may assist with this program through a financial donation or by volunteering to be a judge, speaker or advisor. Information is also available on how your organization may qualify for Pennsylvania state tax credits through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.