Economic Insider — July 2, 2010

Director's Focus
Dunkelberger to Speak at GMAD

One of our most highly valued partners has agreed to be the keynote speaker at this year’s Greater Meadville Area Day to be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Mr. Scott Dunkelberger, Director, Center for Business Financing at the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, will address attendees at the evening dinner and will share his insights regarding the current state of economic development in the Commonwealth.

Scott’s commitment to Crawford County has been extensive and long standing. He has consistently championed the many projects for which we have sought state support over the years; and whenever justified and possible, has delivered on virtually every economic development project of significance in Crawford County.

As I’ve mentioned in this column before, we are indeed blessed to have a professional of the quality of Scott Dunkelberger in a key leadership position in Harrisburg and most honored that he has accepted our invitation to speak at Greater Meadville Area Day.

Until Next time…

Mark Turner

Business Help Available

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) have 18 college and university based and over 100 outreach centers throughout the state, which provide consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBDC consultants offer assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in a variety of areas, such as management, business planning, and financing. These services are provided by confidential professionals, and many are offered at no charge. Locally, Tom Cholak of the Gannon SBDC has an office at 764 Bessemer Street, Meadville, and also holds office hours in Titusville. Please call Mr. Cholak to make an appointment at (814) 333-2299 x235, or go to www.sbdcgannon.org to learn more about how the Gannon Small Business Development Center can assist you.

Local Company to Partner with Virtual Energy Incubator

Ernst Biomass, an offshoot of Ernst Conservation Seeds that was formed in 2008 to focus on the processing and manufacture of switchgrass for production as a biofuel, has recently teamed up with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania in the Virtual Energy Incubator . Ernst Biomass is the latest of 15 companies to join forces with Ben Franklin and participate in the virtual incubator.

According to an announcement made by Ben Franklin, “a dynamic virtual incubator has been created to develop an entrepreneurial community surrounding the concepts of clean, alternative energy.” The Virtual Energy Incubator (VEI) operates programs aimed to assist the 15 member companies with new energy related technologies, resource sharing, and member interaction. All of the companies involved in the VEI have similar funding, research, and testing needs among others; and the virtual nature of this incubator will help keep travel costs down while allowing for networking and resource sharing.

For more information on the VEI and its partner companies go to: cnp.benfranklin.org/newsroom/bftp-news/ben-franklin-creates-virtual-energy-incubator/ or www.keystoneedge.com.

4th of July Facts

  • The 4th of July was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.
  • John Hancock was the only person to actually sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The other 55 signers did not sign it until August 2nd or even later.
  • Edward Rutledge of South Carolina was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence at the age of 26.
  • Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, was the only U.S. President to be born on the 4th of July in 1872.
  • In 1778, General George Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his soldiers a double ration of rum.
  • According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, over 150 MILLION hot dogs are consumed during 4th of July festivities!