fronttCentre CBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY
eLoop newest business breathing fresh life into former Corning site
in this issue MARCH 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 1 1 eLoop at the Corning Site 2 Space Available at Summit Park 3 Entrepeneurship Group Moving Forward with 3B33 Goals/Objectives 3 3B33: Bringing Balance to Centre County 5 Inside PA’s New Transportation Funding Law 6 Paying for Transportation Infrastructure 7 CBICC Helps New Leaf Inititative Open Doors
By April 15, the Centre County facility will be fully functional as a data security and demanufacturing center.
eLoop llc, a Pittsburgh-based electronics recycler that operates a collection system throughout the state of Pennsylvania, is the newest business to locate at the Summit Park commercial, industrial and office park complex on East College Avenue in College Township. eLoop opened its current recycling operation in space at the former Corning/ Asahi site in October 2013.
By April 15, the Centre County facility will be fully functional as a data security and demanufacturing center. During the demanufacturing process, metals and precious and rare-earth minerals (copper, steel, aluminum, cadmium, lead, etc.) are stripped from electronic equipment and then sold on the commodities exchange for eventual industry reuse.
eLoop President and CEO Ned Eldridge said the electronics recycling industry has grown up over the last 10 years as more business clients have been educated about data security and ethical electronics recycling and more states have passed legislation banning these devices from entering a landfill. In fact, on Jan. 1, 2012, Pennsylvania became the 24th state with an extended producer responsibility law, which requires electronic manufacturers to cover the cost of responsibly recycling a list of “covered devices.”
This facility will fill a void in the handling of residential eWaste from more than 18 counties within a 120-mile radius of State College, reduce eLoop’s carbon footprint as the company reduces transportation costs, and improve service levels to organizations that require data security and IT asset disposition services. This facility—certified to the highest industry standards and permitted by the state Department of Environmental Protection—will also offer consumer services for the secure destruction of their personal data on all of their computers, cell phones, tablets and other memory containing devices.
eLoop currently provides recycling services to 24 Pennsylvania counties, including Centre County, and works directly with several area businesses and school districts as well.
The recycling center will not operate as a consumer drop off facility since that work is
7 Attracting Foreign Investment 8 Economic Developments in Brief 9 President’s Message 9 CBICC Announces Enhanced Communications Team 9 CBICC in the News 10 CBICC in Action
eLoop moved into Summit Park in October 2013, a “natural location” due to the proximity to counties the company serves.
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“The CBICC was helpful in connecting eLoop to Summit Park when the company expressed interest in locating in Centre County. I appreciate the Chamber’s time and energy over the years in support of our efforts to make Summit Park a viable business development endeavor and asset to the local economy.” — Dan Hawbaker, president, Glenn O. Hawbaker; partner, Dale Summit Acquisitions LP
eLoop President and CEO Ned Eldridge and an eLoop employee discuss the company’s data sanitization process. handled by eLoop’s partner at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority across the street, but it will service the general public needing data destruction.
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eLoop employs seven people at the Centre County location, a number Eldridge expects to double by June and increase to approximately 20 by year’s end. Those jobs include truck drivers, laborers, materials handlers and some administrative work, with the potential for a sales position added in the future. According to Eldridge, Centre County was a “natural location” based on the current counties in which the company operates. The state CDRA statute requires that all manufacturer programs cover 85 percent of the state’s population. eLoop meets this criteria by serving more than 33 percent of the population in both heavily populated and rural areas.
“When you look at east/west access, there is a benefit to being [in Centre County],” he said. “We could have located in Harrisburg, but it would cost more to service the population north of Interstate 80.” Eldridge said Summit Park specifically was the right location because the facility offered plenty of space and areas for growth. “We needed 17,000 square feet and actually ended up using about 30,000 square feet,” he said.
More than a decade later, the Summit Park commercial, industrial and office park continues to welcome new business… and jobs. Existing tenants include Penn Centre Logistics; Keller Engineering; Swift Kennedy and Associates; Helpmates; theprinters.com; Homewatch Caregivers; ASAP Hydraulics; Glenn O. Hawbaker paint shop; Mount Nittany Medical Center; and Conviber.
There was also a hometown connection; Eldridge grew up in Centre County and has known the individuals involved in the development of Summit Park his whole life.
Hawbaker said the Summit Park facility offers great amenities to potential business tenants, including high ceilings, out parcels, laboratory and office space, and the potential for rail service. However, flexibility might be the strongest selling point for the remaining space.
Eldridge said that, overall, working with Dale Summit Acquisitions LP in securing additional needs for his business, including loading docks and other requirements, was a positive experience.
“We will sit down with potential tenants to determine their specific needs and what modifications to the existing space might be needed, and we will determine the lease agreement from that point,” he stressed.
CBICC President Vern Squier said eLoop is another great example of innovation and economic growth at work in Centre County.
“We applaud the work of Dan and those who have worked hard over the years to transform the site and ensure its continued contribution to the Centre County economy,” CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier said.
Developers look to fill remaining space at Summit Park
For more information on leasing space at Summit Park, call 814 272-0353.
Summit Park developers continue to look for two to four small companies to fill the 200,000 square feet remaining for lease at the College Township industrial park, which would complete the goal of revitalizing the former Corning/Asahi complex. When Corning/Asahi ceased manufacturing glass television tubes at the facility in 2003, one of Centre County’s major employers was gone. But that wasn’t the end of the story for the facility on East College Avenue or for its positive impact on the area’s economy. Glenn O. Hawbaker President Dan Hawbaker and a group of investors—Dale Summit Acquisitions LP—began the process of purchasing the facility in 2005, with visions of converting nearly 400,000 square feet into prime warehousing, general manufacturing and office space The Centre County Industrial Development Corporation, CBICC’s economic development legal entity, helped secure a $2.25 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority for acquisition of the facility.
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200,000 square feet remain to be filled at Summit Park, a County MH/ID/EI is one of the largest tenants.
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Entrepreneurship group moving forward in developing its 3B33 goals/ objectives When CBICC’s Entrepreneurship Committee was established, Chairman Todd Erdley, president and CEO of Videon Central, thought it was important to bring together individuals with a broad set of different entrepreneurial experiences as the group began developing its goals and objectives. Those individuals make up the “headlight committee,” and include: John Vidmar, Ben Franklin Technology Partners Nick Cello, Macro Range Capital Jack Zerby, Goodsie.com and Hii Def Inc. Allan Dar, ProAct Ltd. Jeff Erickson, Erickson Strategic Erdley said this group provides a balance of marketing, product and financial experience. All three points of view are critical considerations as the committee focuses on formulating its approach to CBICC’s 3B33 initiative, the private-sector economic growth target developed by the committee and unveiled late last year.
a multipurpose industrial park in College Township. Centre
3B33: Bringing balance to the Centre County economy CBICC’s three-part approach to economic development is the driving force behind its new 3B33 initiative—a comprehensive, long-term commitment to strengthen Centre County’s private sector and create a more diverse and balanced local economy. Todd Erdley, president and CEO of Videon and chairman of CBICC’s Entrepreneurship Committee.
The Entrepreneurship Committee is meeting every two weeks, concentrating first on clearly defining the entrepreneurship ecosystem in order to allow for a logical roll out of its strategy by the end of the first quarter of 2014. The success of that specific effort, Erdley said, requires greater communication about what entrepreneurship means. “The concept of entrepreneurship can be difficult to understand; it’s a broad concept,” he pointed out. To many, entrepreneurship invokes thoughts of a small business that employs a few people and provides goods and services—a vital part of any community and a fairly lowrisk business venture. Overlooked at times are growth entrepreneurs. They are larger companies playing on the world-wide stage—scalable business ventures organized to achieve profit. They are cutting edge and high risk, and require more capital, but can lead to significant job creation if successful. “That’s when it gets exciting,” Erdley said. To that end, one goal CBICC has for the Entrepreneurship Committee is fostering a better community dialogue about the specific needs of growth entrepreneurs. Erdley believes that over five years, the entrepreneurship field can generate between $1.5 billion to $2 billion in economic output alone—a sizeable portion of the 3B33 pie. He welcomes CBICC’s and its members’ support of the committee’s work. “Individuals that have no background in entrepreneurship are interested in what is taking place,” Erdley said. “The willingness to give of their time is an asset valued by the committee. We want to develop our plan so that more people can get involved and we can begin to move forward.”
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3B33 is a product of CBICC’s Entrepreneurship Committee. The initiative seeks to address a changing economy in which private industry now represents just 7 percent of the total and that is now supported in greater part by the growth of Penn State University and its research and development arm. The goal of 3B33 is a private sector that comprises 33 percent of the overall economy —or, $3 billion in economic output being generated annually by 2033. “Penn State is an amazing economic engine that drives growth and opportunity,” “Penn State is an amazing economic engine that drives growth and opportunity,” added Todd Erdley, president and CEO of CBICC Success Partner Videon and CBICC Entrepreneurship Committee chairman. “But you want balance in the economy. The 3B33 initiative will build on the ready-made template for growth that comes with being a major university town in order to establish a healthy public/private sector balance.”
CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier said the work of all of CBICC’s membercomprised committees is focused on making the 3B33 initiative a reality by working to recruit new businesses to the county, enabling existing businesses to compete and grow, and creating an environment that allows entrepreneurship to thrive. Squier said this proven model of economic development will be carried out by capitalizing on successful existing programs; implementing new initiatives designed to tap the energy and expertise of CBICC’s membership; and continuing beneficial collaborations with other economic development partners.
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Retail 2% Service 1%
Healthcare 6% Schools 8% Government 9%
1998
Penn State University 46%
Private Industry 28%
Our changing economy. Employment data shows that private industy 1 has significanty decreased. Retail 7% Service 2%
Healthcare 11%
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Schools 6%
2012
Penn State University 59%
Government 8%
Private Industry 7%
Employment Data Source: Centre Daily
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Times, Business Matters, January 1999 and February 2013.
“We want to secure the next generation of key job creators by fostering businesses that have taken hold and are poised to take hold to become vital parts of the economic fabric of the region,” Squier said. Through 3B33 and this new approach to economic growth in Centre County, the CBICC and its members are working proactively and collaboratively to transform the economy into one that is supported by a stronger, healthier private sector, while improving the overall quality of life in the Centre Region.
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“We are seeing public and private investors supporting the notion of business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship and development, and also recruitment,” Squier recently told the Altoona Mirror. “I believe 2014 will be better than 2013. We are seeing partnerships and alliances in and out of the county that will serve us better.”
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Inside Pennsylvania’s new transportation funding law: a conversation with Glenn O. Hawbaker President Dan Hawbaker Act 89 of 2013 ‘green lights’ longoverdue highway/bridge projects A quality, modern transportation system is essential for business development and overall economic growth. It is also paramount to motorist safety, making it a critical quality- of-life issue as well. For these reasons, CBICC supported and advocated for enactment of the state’s new comprehensive transportation funding law (Act 89 of 2013). The influx of transportation dollars—an additional $2.3 billion annually by fiscal year 2017-18—will allow the state to begin to address an aging infrastructure system that hinders efficient commerce, as well as provide funding for mass transit and numerous modes of transportation. For Centre County, the law means that long-overdue highway and bridge construction/replacement projects will be able to move forward, resulting in the preservation of transportation industryrelated businesses and jobs; the potential for new job opportunities; and the possibility of business growth along new and improved transportation corridors.
Gov. Tom Corbett signed Pennsylvania’s new transportation funding law at three ceremonies throughout the state, including one at the VFW in Potters Mills. CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier and Glenn O. Hawbaker President Dan Hawbaker were among the local and state officials in attendance. In his role as the president of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors and a member of the state’s Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition, Dan Hawbaker, president/CEO of CBICC Success Partner Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., played an important role in the coalition building that was necessary to get the historic law enacted. Originally poised for approval in June 2013, the bill was derailed in the waning days of the state budget debate after passage became linked to privatization of the state liquor store system.
“I wasn’t giving up,” Hawbaker said matterof-factly in reference to that first attempt to enact the funding bill. The end result was a bipartisan legislative victory this past fall—a “major accomplishment,” according to Hawbaker—that came nearly two decades after Pennsylvania passed its previous transportation funding plan. Hawbaker, who heads up CBICC’s Infrastructure Committee, said new revenue was needed to address Pennsylvania’s aged, deteriorating transportation infrastructure.
Pennsylvania’s transportation funding law at a glance: Additional $2.3 billion per year by FY2017-18 for transportation; total: more than $7.36 billion over five years. Additional $1.65 billion per year for highways/bridges by year five. Additional $476 million to $497 million per year for mass transit by year five. $144 million per year for new Multimodal Transportation Fund by 2017-18. Centre County impact at glance: Relocation of U.S. Route 322 from Potters Mills to the Mount Nittany Expressway, $656 million New interchange at Waddle Road and Toftrees Exit of I-99 in Patton Township, $134 million Reconstruction/re-alignment of U.S. Route 322 from west of the Route 144 intersection to the top of Seven Mountains, $105 million I-80 bridge rehabilitation and resurfacing from Milepost 138 [Snowshoe] to Milepost 152 [Boggs Twp.], $35.5 million.
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Paying for transportation infrastructure The gap between the state’s transportation infrastructure needs and available funding is in large part due to increased construction costs at the same time revenue from the Motor Fuels Tax has declined as a result of improved vehicle fuel mileage. In fact, because of improved fuel efficiency, motorists are actually paying less today to drive on Pennsylvania’s roadways than they were decades ago. Where it once cost the average motorist traveling 12,000 miles a year $582.89, in today’s dollars that amounts to $259.15. “If we had done justice by our transportation system, we would have seen gradual increases to the fuels tax over time,” Hawbaker said. “With this law, we are quickly playing catch up.” Act 89 eliminates the 12 cents per gallon tax assessed at the retail level. Gas tax revenues instead will be generated at the wholesale level
What’s the Cost of Act 89?
through the incremental lifting of the artificial Oil Company Franchise Tax
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cap, which has been in place since 1983. PennDOT contends that Act 89, which phases in financing over five years, will not immediately increase the price of gas at the pump by 28 cents, which has been widely reported. That amount is based on the wholesale price of gasoline in 2018—impossible
$ 250 per week Act 89’s total revenue enhancements amount to just $2.50 per week for the average driver.
to predict, as competition and the price of crude have the biggest impact on what motorists pay for a gallon of gasoline. The law also increases various motor vehicle fees. Act 89’s total revenue enhancements amount to just $2.50 per week for the average driver. The CBICC believes that providing a safe and efficient transportation system is an essential function of state government and that revenue enhancements represent true user fees to support a substantial infrastructure investment that will benefit Centre County, its job creators and residents, and all Pennsylvanians. The trade-off for paying a bit more at the pump is a safe and efficient transportation network, which is critical for economic growth.
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Pennsylvania has 9,200 miles of roadway in poor condition. Pennsylvania has 9,200 miles of roadway in poor condition, an amount that would have increased to 17,000 miles by 2017 without the investment contained in Act 89. In addition, while Pennsylvania’s 25,000 state-owned bridges are the third most in the nation, the Commonwealth leads in the number of structurally deficient bridges at more than 4,000. “From a business competitiveness standpoint, the resulting bridge and road restrictions/detours handicap logistics, which adds to the overall cost of operating a business,” Hawbaker stressed. Hawbaker said absent the additional revenue provided by Act 89, PennDOT would function primarily at a subsistence level—able to perform general maintenance work, but unable to fully address crumbling infrastructure or move forward with vital transportation projects, including four key projects in Centre County. “As a contractor, I know what Pennsylvania has done,” Hawbaker said in reference to PennDOT’s emphasis on temporary patch and repair work on roadways—“band-aid solutions” until money became available for reconstruction. “This approach is counterproductive in the cost realm. It ends up being money wasted. “The law gives us [the state] the wherewithal to proceed.” One of those projects – the relocation of U.S. Route 322 from Potters Mills to the Mount Nittany Expressway—could get under way in the next year to 18 months, with soil boring already in progress. Another project that holds promise for economic development in the county is the construction of a new interchange at Waddle Road and the Toftrees Exit off I-99 in Patton Township. CBICC President and CEO Vern Squire said the bridge at that intersection has long been a choke-hold for development, with planned improvements allowing for both a more efficient transportation network to service existing businesses in the area, as well as setting the stage for future commerce opportunities.
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Partnership program seeks to attract foreign investment to central Pennsylvania
The new funding law is also welcome news for transportation-related businesses and jobs in Centre County and across Pennsylvania. In the near term, the law is expected to preserve industry jobs—an estimated 12,000 total statewide, according to PennDOT.
A new partnership initiative designed to attract international investment to the Commonwealth’s rural counties is another positive step in the effort to generate increased economic activity in Centre County and across Pennsylvania.
“As the law rolls out over time, it will positively benefit job creation, with the impact being felt sooner on the bridge side,” Hawbaker said. PennDOT expects as many as 50,000 jobs could ultimately be created as a result of the law. PennDOT expects as many as 50,000 jobs could ultimately be created as a result of the law. Properly investing in infrastructure is also important to business preservation. This is true not just for Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., which employees approximately 780 people in Centre County alone—making it the 6th largest county employers – but to businesses of all sizes that are dependent on transportation projects. “A number of businesses in the region that rely on public works for their livelihood have gone through severe downsizing,” Hawbaker pointed out. “Some may not return to the level where they once were, but over time, they may begin to employ more workers as construction projects get under way.”
New Leaf Initiative Codirectors and hosts Eric Sauder and Serena Fulton welcome attendees to the formal dedication of their expanded shared-space facility in the State College Municipal Building.
CBICC helps New Leaf Initiative open doors at expanded shared space facility CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier and staff were proud to be in attendance as New Leaf Initiative co-directors and hosts Eric Sauder and Serena Fulton officially opened the doors of their expanded shared-space facility on the third floor of the State College Borough Building on 243 South Allen St. Held on Feb. 5, the well-attended public open house concluded with a joint CBICC/Small Business Development Center ribbon cutting.
CATA projects to receive a $2.5 million increase over the next six years as a result of Act 89. Ultimately, however, Hawbaker said the main purpose of Act 89 is the well-being of Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges. And with the new law, Pennsylvania is taking responsibility for its transportation infrastructure. The CBICC thanks Hawbaker and other supporters for their efforts to help pass the comprehensive transportation funding law, and especially applauds state Sen. Jake Corman, R-34th District, and state Reps. Kerry Benninghoff, R-171st, Mike Fleck, R-81st, and Mike Hanna, D-76th, for their leadership in getting this legislation to Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature.
The CBICC applauds the work of New Leaf in fostering professional collaboration and co-work and was pleased to assist New Leaf in opening the facility, which includes shared and private workspaces, meeting rooms and a lounge area/cafe that creates an environment conducive to the free flow of ideas. The CBICC/Centre County Industrial Development Corporation awarded $35,000 to New Leaf in December 2013. The funding was in the form of a $17,500 grant and a $17,500 Revolving Loan Fund loan. [A more detailed article on CBICC member New Leaf will be included in a future issue of Front+Centre.] CBICC congratulates New Leaf on this exciting endeavor in support of Centre County entrepreneurship.
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The SEDA-Council of Governments, the Centre for Direct Investment and Team Pennsylvania Foundation, along with numerous program partners—CBICC/Centre County Industrial Development Corporation (CCIDC) among them—announced the new initiative in Lewisburg in December 2013. Partially funded by a federal “Make it in America” grant, the comprehensive, multiyear program seeks to encourage foreign companies to expand in Pennsylvania— specifically, the 52 counties that comprise the “T” region of the state. There are currently some 6,000 foreign-owned companies operating in the Commonwealth, with roughly 40 in Centre County. The program also hopes to lure back to Pennsylvania those domestic companies that moved operations overseas. Only 10 grants were awarded nationwide by the Obama administration, with rural Pennsylvania being one of those recipients at $1.8 million. “It speaks volumes about the state’s commitment to economic development and growing international business opportunities, and clearly demonstrates that economic development activity is occurring in rural Pennsylvania,” CBICC president and CEO Vern Squier said. The program’s economic development partners, including CCIDC, will meet quarterly for training specific to foreign direct investment, including learning how to interact directly with potential foreign investors, and for project coordination. To date, two meetings have been held, with a third scheduled for mid-June. The initial phase of the three-year plan also includes the development of a coordinated marketing plan to promote the region and the creation of an inventory of available land suitable for development. Attendance at international trade shows and tours of the region are additional program objectives.
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Economic Developments in Brief CBICC incubator companies among 2013 KIZ Tax Credit awardees Eight I-99 Corridor—Centre, Bedford and Blair counties—Keystone Innovation Zone companies were awarded $566,170 in tax credits, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced in December. Six of the eight companies are located in Centre County. Of those six companies, three—Quantum, M-Mech and Indigo—are CBICC incubator businesses.
CBICC staff member attains NDC certification
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CBICC Economic Development Team Specialist Mary Resides attained certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council. EDFP certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC’s intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the economic development field with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the creation and implementation of development programs. Resides has been with CBICC since 2006.
CBICC welcomes two new affiliates to Business Incubator Program The CBICC welcomed two new affiliate companies—Atoptix, LLC and Maze Diode LLC—to its Business Incubator Program. Atoptix, LLC is developing a patented optical technology that replaces bench top spectroscopy equipment with a miniaturized, hand-held device. Maze Diode LLC is designing and manufacturing LED lighting systems. CBICC’s Business Incubation Program allows start-up technology firms to move through the early, high-risk phase of development within a business-friendly environment. At the earliest stages of business development, affiliate Incubator companies have access to copy and mail services and conference room space, as well as a physical mailing address at Innovation Park.
The scenic view from Benner Commerce Park.
Sale of Benner Commerce Park finalized Closing of the sale of Benner Commerce Park from CBICC/CDICC to the Bellefonte State College I-99 Partnership was held on Jan. 17, 2014. CBICC made public the intent to sell lots or the entire park in 2008. The agreement with the I-99 Partnership was entered into in 2013. Sale of the Park is in keeping with CBICC’s strategic move from a land-based economic development organization to one focused on a number of initiatives designed to grow the county’s economy, including entrepreneurship, new business recruitment and business retention/expansion. The sale also allowed CBICC to fulfill its obligation to the State College YMCA, which signed a memorandum of agreement years ago with CBICC to purchase land in the park for eventual development of a new facility. This land has been transferred. The sale will enable the park—part of which is an expanded Keystone Opportunity Zone—to continue as an asset in the county’s economic development program, while CBICC will be freed to focus on its broader mission of making Centre County a great place to live, work and conduct business.
Titan Energy Park receives KOEZ status On Jan. 17, Titan Energy Park in Bellefonte received official state designation as a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone. The KOEZ designation means that businesses locating there receive specific state and local tax benefits for a certain period of time in an effort to help revitalize the Commonwealth’s economically distressed areas. In addition,
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KOZ and KOEZ zones are given priority for various state and local community-building assistance programs. Located at 2022 Axemann Road in Bellefonte, the facility has up to 500,000 square feet of industrial space and 22,000 square feet of office space available for lease. Amenities include 24 to 34 foot ceilings; heavy power; public water, sewer and natural gas; multiple-dock and grade-level loading; close proximity to I-80 and I-99; low taxes; and Susquehanna River Basin Commission permitted high-quality water from Kelly Spring. With the addition of Titan Energy Park, Centre County now has three Keystone Opportunity Zones and shares a portion of a Keystone Innovation Zone along with I-99 corridor in Blair and Bedford counties. A more detailed article about Titan Energy Park will be included in the next issue of Front+Centre.
BF TechCelerator@State College awards $10,000 to another local startup Seven budding entrepreneurs recently graduated from the fourth class of the BF TechCelerator@State College Boot Camp Program. The winners—Nina Jenkins and Giovani Bellicanta—received $10,000 to help get their company, ConidioTec, off the ground. The two developed a patentpending, non-toxic biopesticide that successfully removes and further prevents bed bug infestations in homes and hotel rooms. Located in the Technology Center at 200 Innovation Blvd., the TechCelerator@ State College is a partnership among several of the area’s economic development providers, including CCIDC—CBICC’s economic development legal entity. The TechCelerator provides space and support at the earliest stages of business development.
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CBICC/CCIDC introduces newest businesses to Technology Center incubator Since September 2013, the CBICC/CCIDC, in partnership with the TechCelerator® StateCollege, has welcomed five new startup companies into its incubator at the Technology Center. These companies include: Ascent Bio-Nano Technologies, Inc., founded by Lin Wang, President/CEO, and Dr. Tony Jun Huang, CTO, has developed a chip that can produce three-dimensional focusing on a stream of cells, making it possible for inexpensive portable devices to rapidly screen cells for diseases such as leukemia or HIV. Ascent Bio-Nano was the winner of $10,000 awarded by the Ben Franklin TechCelerator in April 2013 after participating with five other businesses in an eight-week Boot Camp Program for business startups conducted by the TechCelerator@ StateCollege. Ascent was one of four companies within a 32-county footprint to share $340,000 in funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners in 2012 and one of six companies in the same footprint to share $740,000 from BFTP in 2013. FairTech Labs, Inc., founded by Lindsay Fairman, a graduate of the TechCelerator@ StateCollege who was awarded $2,500 at the final presentation of the spring 2013 eightweek Boot Camp Program. FairTech Labs provides an online solution for personalized household inventory management. “Shelf Scouter” effectively organizes, manages, and purchases household goods and eliminates the inefficiencies associated with paper grocery lists. Impulse Technology, LLC,, with Dr. Kamrun Nahar, CEO/Senior Engineer, and Dr. Aman Haque, CTO, was one of 13 technologybased companies in central and northern Pennsylvania approved for a total of $1 million in investment from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners in December 2013. Impulse Technology provides their customers with nano-scale, thin film specimen preparation for any material in any size at an affordable price. Nascent Devices LLC, lead by President/ CEO Ailan Cheng, is conducting research, development and manufacturing of electronic devices for the energy field. Nascent was recently awarded a grant to research energy harvesting systems with ultra high energy and power densities from ocean waves and currents for green energy generation.
Solid Dynamics LLC, founded by Joseph Sinclair, provides rapid prototyping services utilizing the latest techniques in additive manufacturing. Joseph focuses on the ability to work side by side with clients to make their product or prototype ideas reality using his engineering knowledge, along with a deep understanding of 3D printing and computer aided design software.
Enhanced communications effort focused on raising visibility of CBICC, member companies A strategic goal of the CBICC is a greater focus on corporate communications and marketing in order to raise the visibility of the organization’s economic development activities and promote member engagement opportunities. A Corporate Communications Committee, chaired by Leanne Martin, Group Manager/ Vice President of Commercial Banking, M&T Bank, and a Marketing Committee, chaired by Larry Snavely, President, Snavely Associates, Ltd., brings energy, enthusiasm and insight from CBICC’s membership to this initiative. In addition, CBICC expanded its communications/ outreach team with the recent hiring of Lesley Kistner as communication director. She joins CBICC Membership Services and Communications Coordinator Andrea Harman. Kistner has more than 20 years of experience in the communications field, the past 11 years spent serving as communications director for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry in Harrisburg, where she was responsible for the organization’s media relations efforts, membership publications and grassroots legislative advocacy initiatives. In her role at CBICC, she will focus on strategic communications and marketing messaging related to CBICC’s economic development scope of work, among other duties. Harman will continue to focus on her role
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of communicating news of importance to CBICC’s member businesses, including chamber events, special programs and benefits, in an effort to foster engagement and ensure that the greatest value of CBICC membership is realized. This increased focus on communications will help effectively position CBICC and its members as being at the forefront of business growth and quality of life in Centre County.
CBICC In the News A sampling of recent CBICC media mentions Happy returns, Town&Gown, March 2014 The CBICC in 2014, Town& Gown, March 2014 Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley talks economic development with local leaders, Centre Daily Times, Feb. 24, 2014 Centre County leaders meet with Lt. Governor, WJAC-TV 6, Feb. 24, 2014 Massage therapy practice celebrates grand opening StateCollege.com, Feb. 24, 2014 Business park sold, Centre Daily Times, Feb. 21, 2014 Stores and restaurants in area open, move or spruce up, Centre Daily Times, Business Matters, Feb. 9, 2014 Gardners Candies officially opens new location, Centre County Gazette, Feb. 6-12, 2014 CBICC Workforce Development Breakfast held at CPI, Centre County Gazette, Feb. 6-12, 2014 Coworking Center turns over a new leaf, PA Business Central, Feb. 6, 2014 Gardners Candies holds grand opening at TJ Maxx Plaza in Patton Township, Centre Daily Times, Feb. 1, 2014 New year, new initiatives, Centre Daily Times letter to the editor, Jan. 4, 2014 Positioning for success, locals hope for strong economy, more growth through 2014, Altoona Mirror, Dec. 29, 2013 Chamber hopes to invigorate growth in county, add billions to private sector revenue, Centre Daily Times, Dec. 19, 2013
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CBICC in Action
(l-r) Centre County State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff; Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley; Centre County Commissioner Chairman Steve Dershem; and CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier.
CBICC welcomes Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley
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The CBICC was pleased to host Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley to the CBICC offices on Monday, Feb. 24. Cawley, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre; CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier; and numerous county and local elected officials met briefly to discuss local economic development efforts and how the state can better support the needs and concerns of private sector job creators.
CBICC, CREN mixer celebrates entrepeneurship
Business expansions marked by ribbon cutting ceremonies
The spirit of entrepreneurship was celebrated on Feb. 20 as members of the CBICC and the Centre Region Entrepreneur Network (CREN) gathered for an Entrepreneurship Open House at the Ferguson Township headquarters of CBICC member Videon.
The CBICC recently held ribbon cutting ceremonies for two businesses that relocated into expanded facilities.
Creating a supportive climate for entrepreneurship in order to drive existing and new business growth is a pivotal component of the CBICC’s 3B33 economic development initiative, the economic growth target developed by CBICC’s Entrepreneurship Committee. [See article on page 3.] By bringing the entrepreneurial community together with the general business community, the “mixer” served to encourage greater dialogue, idea sharing and relationship building in the realm of growth and start-up entrepreneurship in Centre County.
Opening the doors at Gardners Candies new, larger store on North Atherton Street. On Monday, Feb. 24, the CBICC held a ribbon cutting ceremony for A Step Beyond Massage Therapy, owned by Moriah Gause, which moved into a larger facility at 431 E. Beaver Avenue. The ribbon cutting was part of a grand opening celebration for the new location, previously located for the last three years in downtown State College.
The CBICC welcomed the opportunity to share with the Lt. Gov. some of the ways in which the organization and its members are working collectively with local elected officials to grow the private sector economy. Cawley told the Centre Daily Times that meeting with people at the local level to get direct feedback is better than government making decisions and then having local governments react later.
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On Thursday, Jan. 30, Gardners Candies President Sam Phillips, CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier, and numerous local and state elected officials celebrated Gardners Candies’ new location in the T.J. Maxx Plaza on North Atherton Street. The ribbon cutting was held in advance of Gardners Candies public grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 1.
A CREN member and CBICC ambassador get acquainted. CREN grew out of the need for like-minded entrepreneurs to get together, learn about one anothers’ companies, and share best practices. Over the last two years the awareness of entrepreneurial endeavors in the Centre Region has increased dramatically. Linking this exciting group of entrepreneurs in CREN with the vast membership of CBICC proved to be a great success, where nearly 200 people that have common interest, that being the betterment of the economic picture of this region, came together to learn about one another, network, and share some perspectives. Videon President Todd Erdley said already we are seeing new linkages between CREN and CBICC members that are leading to positive business impacts.
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The CBICC was proud to help A Step Beyond Massage Therapy celebrate its new location.