Economic Insider — October 23, 2009

Director's Focus
Vantage Center Dedication

Vantage Health Network dedicated its new headquarters facility last week and as anticipated, it is fantastic! Now to be known as Vantage Center, the former Talon #7 plant on Main Street in Meadville has been transformed into a modern office complex with the capacity to support Vantage’s growth for decades to come.

Commitments made by the Meadville Redevelopment Authority and the City of Meadville to support Vantage have already shown returns, and the long term benefit of Vantage’s investments will be tremendous. Current local employment at Vantage stands at about 200 good-to-high paying jobs.

Continuing cost pressure on the health care sector and the demonstrated efficiency of the Vantage business model combine to support the strong likelihood of future growth at Vantage. All of us engaged in economic development in the region are committed to supporting Vantage Health Network in recognition of the important role they will play in providing jobs, tax base and economic diversity to the region.

Again, congratulations to Vantage Health Network and thank you for your commitment to Meadville and the region.

Until next time,

Mark Turner

Alliance Receives Grant Funding Notification

The Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County was recently notified that they have been awarded an additional $709,358 in funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. These funds are part of the $2,510,000 water system construction project which is being initiated at the Keystone Regional Industrial Park in Greenwood Township, Crawford County.

This project was developed to provide a water supply and distribution system to approximately 600 acres of the southern portion of the 1,300 acre industrial park, and is based on the reuse of portions of the former Keystone Ordnance Works TNT facility water system. The scope of work for the project includes environmental assessments and the evaluation and development of existing well sites for use as a permanent water supply, and the repair and construction of a water distribution pipeline. A contract was recently awarded to Ray Showman Jr. Excavating, Inc. for rehabilitation of an existing water well, with work scheduled to begin before year end. Bids will be solicited for the rehabilitation and construction of the water pipeline in early 2010, and work is scheduled to begin during the Spring 2010 construction season. The Alliance and Crawford County are working in partnership to launch this project, with funds being provided through grants from the EDA; ARC, DCED PennWorks and Northwest Commission Local Funds programs.

Broadway/East Entrance Update

The Broadway and East Entrance improvements at the Crawford Business Park are nearing completion for this construction season. New landscaping on both sides of Broadway is finished, the curbing has been completed and the new Broadway Entrance is expected to open by the end of the week. Weather depending, Landfried Paving, Inc. will continue paving, road repairs and complete the new parking area within the next couple of weeks, with any additional work to be completed in the Spring of 2010.

USDA Small Business Funds Available

The Economic Progress Alliance is a re-lender of USDA funds to support the creation and retention of jobs in Crawford County. Over the years, we have made loans from the USDA fund of over $1,000,000 to eligible area firms. Currently more than $500,000 is available for lending to area businesses for the acquisition of real estate, machinery and equipment and for working capital.

For more information contact the Economic Progress Alliance at 333-2299.

Rural Household Broadband and Internet Access Increase

According to data from the Rural Pennsylvania Current Population Survey (RuralPA-CPS), the percentage of rural households with Internet and broadband access has increased in the last two years. In 2009, 69 percent of rural households had Internet access, as compared to 66 percent in 2007 and broadband access has increased even more, with 56 percent of rural households having access in 2009, an increase of 15 percent since 2007. Even with these increases, rural areas still lag behind urban areas by as much as 12 percent regarding broadband access and 9 percent in Internet access.