Economic Insider — February 12, 2010

Director's Focus
Collaborations Very Encouraging

A number of recent news items bring attention to new and developing cooperative efforts likely to bring great potential to the future economy of the region. First, last week a new agreement between Edinboro University and Precision Manufacturing Institute (PMI) was announced to fill a serious need by offering manufacturing-related courses in Erie. On February 22, PMI will start offering classes at Edinboro’s Porreco Center in suburban Erie.

Initial classes offered at the Porreco Center will include robotics operations and programming; industrial hydraulics; MasterCAM 2D; and geometric dimensions and tolerances in manufacturing. One of our greatest challenges in maintaining and growing this region’s position as a world-wide leader in precision manufacturing is in educating the current and future workforce of the region. Data collected during our 200 plus visits each year with area firms indicates that the average manufacturing workforce is nearing 58 years of age. While this suggests reason for concern, the collaborative commitment made by PMI and Edinboro, in both Erie and Meadville, enables great opportunity for quality jobs and continued economic benefit to the region.

Also, I recently had occasion to attend a briefing provided by the Northwest PA Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) and was impressed to learn of the numerous collaborations now underway by private firms and many of the region’s colleges and universities. Since its formation just a few short years ago, the KIZ has been successful in fostering collaborations between organizations such as Ernst Conservation and Allegheny College, and numerous other firms and institutions of higher learning in the region, as well as among many of colleges and university themselves.

While Northwestern PA is without a traditional research institution, the depth of knowledge and expertise resident in the many colleges and universities in the region is now being brought to bear in support of new cutting-edge commercial endeavors. It is my sincere hope that these early collaborative successes between businesses, universities and colleges may some day lead to the formation of a “virtual” research institution with its resulting positive economic and social benefit to the region.

Until next time,

Mark Turner

3rd Annual W.I.L.D. Conference

The Gannon Small Business Development Center is presenting the 3rd Annual W.I.L.D. Conference at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA 16501, on March 26, 2010.

The mission of the Women in Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) Conference is to empower professional and entrepreneurial women with knowledge, energy and passion. The day long conference will consist of national keynote speakers focusing on wellness, leadership, and entrepreneurship, along with displays from local boutiques and other exhibits.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.sbdcgannon.org or by phone at (814) 871-7232. The cost for the event is $150/person if tickets are purchased by 3/12/2010 or $200/person if tickets are purchased between 3/13/2010 and 3/26/2010. Hurry and register for this exciting event!

Lighting Incentives for Business

FirstEnergy is offering an incentive program for existing commercial and industrial customers of Met-Ed, Penelec, and Penn Power to encourage the installation of high efficiency lighting equipment. This program was created to help offset the cost of replacing high efficiency fixtures in commercial and industrial settings. To qualify for the First Energy Standard Lighting Incentive for Business Program, the equipment must have been purchased on or after October 28, 2009, and must be installed by March 31, 2010.

The program will continue beyond the end March, however, pre-approval is necessary for projects that will not be completed until after March 31, 2010. Although pre-approval is not required for projects completed by the March 31 deadline, participants are encouraged to seek program approval prior to the deadline to ensure that their lighting equipment meets the program criteria.

For full details on the program, any program related questions or to receive an application, please contact a FirstEnergy Business Program representative at 1-866-554-4430 or go to www.energysavePA.com.

Continuing Education Scholarships for County Women

Each year, the Allegheny College Association, in conjunction with Allegheny College awards a limited number of scholarships to Crawford County women for part time enrollment at the college. The program, which was established in 1973, assists area women in returning to the classroom, by providing a tuition waiver allowing the recipient to enroll in a maximum of three, credit-bearing courses during the 2010-2011 academic year. A stipend is also included with the scholarship award to help offset costs such as books, travel, and child care.

Eligibility requirements: The applicant must be a woman, age 25 or older, a Crawford County resident at the time of application and have completed high school or the equivalent. If the applicant has additional education beyond high school, it cannot exceed the equivalent of two years of college. Preference will be given to applicants who have realistic educational goals and the potential for academic success.

The application deadline for this program is March 1, and an informational meeting for applicants will be held on Tuesday, March 9, at 7 p.m., in the East Alcove of Schultz Hall, which is located off North Main Street. For more information on this program, contact Barbara Riess at (814) 332-2323 or visit the ACA Continuing Education website at http://acascholar.allegheny.edu/.