Business
Penn-Northwest finds bright spots in gloomy year
MERCER COUNTY —
With the national and local economy getting hammered by the recession over the past year, it was an uncomfortable time for developers.
“Without a doubt this has been a very challenging year economically throughout the county,” said Larry Reichard, executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
Speaking at the organization’s annual breakfast meeting at Penn State Shenango Campus on Friday, Reichard said Mercer County’s lead economic development agency has worked on 15 industrial projects with decisions still pending in the upcoming months.
As part of the meeting, the agency provided its members with financial statements which showed Penn-Northwest employees took a 10 percent salary or wage cut in May as a way to reduce costs. But financial statements also showed the agency has more than $1.8 million available through its revolving loan fund.
During the meeting outgoing Penn-Northwest chairman Bill Perrine was honored for his four years of service as the agency’s leader. Dr. Fred Leeds, chancellor of Penn State Shenango, gave an overview of the campus and its future goals.
Among the initiatives Penn-Northwest was involved in include: Opposition to tolling I-80, creating new and expanded Keystone Opportunity Zones, a workforce training initiative, cooperating with Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce on commercial and industrial development, and supporting the opposition to the Tri-County Landfill.
Other achievements included the Gannon Small Business Development Center providing nearly 1,200 consulting hours to 123 local clients which helped to generate $1.547 million in funds for projects. Also, the Northwest Industrial Resource Center’s Mercer County office participated in 20 projects which generated more than $8.5 million for area projects.
Elected officers of Penn-Northwest for fiscal year 2009-10:
• Chairman: Kenneth Faulconbridge, Northwest Savings Bank
• Vice chairman: Lew Kachulis, Gilbert’s Insurance and Consulting
• Secretary: Robert Wilson, Roll Forming Corp.
• Treasurer: John “Chip” Mastrian, Strimbu Memorial Foundation
• Assistant secretary/treasurer: Tony Zucco, Penn Power
Directors for three year terms expiring in 2012:
Kenneth Cloud, CCL Container; Dr. Richard Dorman, Westminster College; Frank Gargiulo, Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone; George Gerhart, Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce; David Grande, Huntington Bank; Eric Graven, Custom Stone & Tile; Gary Gulla, Hermitage Economic Development Corp.; David Hock, Lakeview Area Industrial Corp.; Scott Kalmanek, Joy Cone Co.; John Mastrian, Strimbu Memorial Foundation; John Morris, Pymatuning Telephone/PT Communications; Douglas Riley, Mercer County Industrial Development Authority; Steven Warner, Novocell Semi-Conductor; Edward Winslow. Winslow Engineering; Tony Zucco, Penn Power.
Director for two-year term expiring in 2011: Robert Jackson, Grove City Medical Center.
Directors for one-year terms expiring in 2010: Frank Nagy, Black, Bashor, Porsch, replacing John Mastrian; James Kushner, Slippery Rock University, replacing Dr. Robert Smith.
Nominees for senior directors, one-year term: Charles Bestwick, James Feeney, Joseph George, Olivia Lazor, Philip Marrie, Gene Smith, Richard Stevenson.
- Business
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Court: No benefits to worker who damaged equipment
Commonwealth Court has supported the findings in an unemployment compensation case, and the conclusion that a former employee of a local company was not entitled to benefits.
Bruce R. Taylor was fired May 8, 2009, from G.W. Becker Inc., Hermitage, after a lathe he was moving from a truck to the company’s Grove City plant fell off a forklift and was destroyed.
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Under new management — Ill. company takes over SV mall
The Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage is under new management.
Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties LLC has been awarded the contract for management and leasing services effective immediately, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
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FNB earns 16 cents a share in 2nd Q
FNB Corp. had a “solid” second quarter, the Hermitage-based financial company’s president and chief executive officer said Monday.
“I’ve very pleased with the quarter. We made 16 cents (per share),” Stephen J. Gurgovits said. “It just turned out to be a very good quarter.”
Loans and deposits are up and expenses are stable, he said.
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Grant to pay for land study
Penn-Northwest Economic Development Corp. has received a $129,360 planning grant to perform a market analysis of the 218 acres Mercer County owns at Interstate 80 and Route 19 in East Lackawannock Township, said Douglas Thomas, chairman of Penn-Northwest’s sites committee.
A study will be performed to determine the site’s best use, the possible positioning of buildings, what kinds of buildings would be appropriate and how utilities can be extended onto the site, Thomas said Wednesday.
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Planning begins now for future business incubator
Although construction has only just begun to build a technology center in Hermitage’s LindenPointe technical business park, it’s not too soon to plan the mission and function of the business incubator side of the center.
Debra Steiner, executive director of the Gannon Small Business Development Center, Erie, told Penn-Northwest Development Corp.’s board Wednesday that incubators function much like parents do with children.
“You need someone who will make day-in and day-out contact with the tenants,” she said.
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Company files patent suit over truck fender design
Jones Performance Products Inc. of West Middlesex has filed a federal design patent infringement suit against a competitor over a truck fender.
Jones, of 1 Jones Way, said it received a patent for an “ornamental arc design” fender for installation of some models of big rigs in 2007, and sells it to customers and distributors.
Bad Ass Parts of Louisville, Ky., ripped off the design and has been selling its own version, according to the lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court, Pittsburgh. -
Rep says tech training key
Historically, American manufacturers have paved the way in technological and scientific advances.
But over the years foreign producers have eaten away at what used to be a distinct American advantage. U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper said she wants the government to bankroll scientific advances to help American producers get back on track.
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Aqua plan helps some pay their water bill
Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. is reminding customers that its Helping Hand assistance program is available to low-income families who find it difficult to pay their water bills.
The Helping Hand program offers customers a payment plan to pay down arrears and ensure their water isn’t turned off; an opportunity for customers who make payments on time to earn a monthly credit toward their arrears; and a conservation kit to help customers curb usage and therefore, reduce their bills.
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Local bankers getting steady refinancing business
Local bankers say more people want to refinance their mortgages to save money.
With interest rates hovering in the 4.5 percent range for a 30-year loan, it’s a deal too good to pass up, bankers said.
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‘Heartbeat of Clarion’ to stop
CLARION, Pa. (AP) — There’s a hum here, soft yet ever-present.
The noise is drowned out during the din of the day, but late at night the sound of the Owens-Illinois glass plant reverberates through this town of 6,000 people.
Mayor Andrea Estadt calls it the “heartbeat of Clarion,” an enunciation from a plant that has been a centerpiece of community employment and pride for 105 years.
But when the glass plant closes July 1, Estadt said, it’ll be silent here.
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Court: No benefits to worker who damaged equipment
