Economic Insider — March 12, 2010

Director's Focus
Reason for Optimism

With concern for being viewed as a superficial cheerleader, and with the understanding that an optimistic outlook is a prerequisite for a position in the economic development field, my honest sense is that, despite all the adverse global, national, and regional influences to the contrary, positive signs of economic adjustment and recovery are evident in Crawford County.

While not immune to outside influence, the maturity and diversity of our economic base provides a capacity to rapidly adjust to chancing conditions. Of course the most unfortunate result of this major economic adjustment has been the furloughing of a large number folks in our workforce. But, companies in our community have begun the recovery process, and we have to work even harder to support the efforts of existing and potentially new employers to grow and provide employments for area residents.

I’m happy to report that activity and expressions of interest by firms needing space and services is up considerably from the latter part of 2009. A new occupant of the Crawford Business Park, Venango Community Services, is currently moving in, and six other significant projects with high probability for completion are currently in the works.

As we occasionally do, we recently took a close look at employment trends at the Crawford Business Park. I think the results are interesting:

  • Date of Census - # of Employees
  • 03/2010 - 819
  • 05/2009 - 859
  • 10/2008 - 924
  • 04/2008 - 824

While these numbers are a very simple snapshot of combined employment, the current number of jobs at the Park is down 11.37 percent from its high in October 2008, but less than one percent from its 04/2008 level. While a number of firms report real growth in employment, job reductions seem to have been broadly spread among occupants. However, most have reported an end to “downsizing” and a more stable, if not expanding, future.

The experience observed at the Crawford Business Park may serve as a good example of the impact of the current recession in the broader community as well. While the region continues to suffer from employment decline, we maintain a very strong base upon which to recover and build, and numerous signs indicate we are making positive headway.

Until next time…

Mark Turner

Google Experiment

In February 2010, Google announced plans to build and test ultra-high speed internet connections, up to 100 times faster than most current internet service, at one or more trial locations across the country. According to Google, the goal is to experiment with new ways to make internet access better and faster for everyone. Google is asking interested communities across the country to complete a Request for Information (RFI) in order to be considered as a test site. Nationwide, cities, towns, and municipalities have gotten involved with the initiative in an attempt to become a targeted test site. Some cities have gone so far as to “change” their name to Google in an attempt to come out on top. March 26, 2010, is the scheduled deadline to submit an RFI for the project, and Google plans to announce the test community or communities sometime this year.

For more information on Google’s experimental project, go to: www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/overview

Event for Manufacturing Executives

Did you know that 92% of people use the Web to evaluate purchase options, but only 30% of businesses allocate dollars for online marketing? Catalyst Connection, in partnership with the eMarketingLearningCenter@eBizITPA is presenting a half day workshop session dedicated to meeting the challenges of marketing and advertising in the digital age for manufacturing executives. The session is designed to assist the decision maker in gaining an understanding of the most important online marketing channels, how to convert and retain customers and how to measure the performance of these channels in regard to marketing.

What Manufacturing Executives Can Expect to Learn:

  • Online marketing definitions and incentives
  • How each channel is used including, reach, leads, conversion, retention, advantages, disadvantages and more
  • How to innovate; reduces costs, and speed time to market with your information, products and services
  • MUCH MORE

    • This program will take place on March 31, 2010 at the Catalyst Connection, 2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information or to register, call the eMarketingLearningCenter@eBizITPA at (814) 898-6500 or visit .

    SBA Lending Program Extension

    The President signed legislation on March 2, 2010, to extend the ability of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide small business loans enhanced with special provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) until March 28. According to an estimate by the SBA, the extension will support an additional $1.8 billion in small business lending. For full details on the extension, visit www.sba.gov/news.

    Save the Date

    The Economic Progress Alliance’s Annual Meeting of the Corporators is slated for Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the William J. Douglass Corporate Conference Center, located at 764 Bessemer Street, Meadville, PA. Social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Annual Meeting promptly at 7:00 p.m. Please mark this date on your calendars to attend. More details to follow…