Econonmic Growth Connection

EGC Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, January 25

2012-01-10T01:20:41Z

On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland's Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the DeNunzio’s Chophouse at the Arnold Palmer Airport. Lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting to begin at approximately 11:50 a.m.

The main purpose of the meeting will be to elect members for the EGC Board of Directors. Also, a briefing will be given on the accomplishments to date by EGC, along with an update from the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation and their newly appointed Executive Director, Jason Rigone.

Due to the importance of manufacturing in our local as well as national economy, we asked Kennametal to participate in the meeting as well. The Chairman, President and CEO of Kennametal, Carlos Cardoso, was recently invited by Governor Corbett to co-chair a committee on manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Erica Clayton Wright, Public Affairs Manager for Kennametal, will be joining us to outline important facts and concerns of Kennametal and other major manufacturers here in Pennsylvania.

Please call EGC at (724)-830-3604, email tinapetroy@egcw.org, or fax your reservation request to (724)-850-6874. We hope to see you there. {extended}

Community Meeting-Porcelain Park Borough of Derry

2011-11-08T20:21:02Z

The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland is applying for a FY 12 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant for the former Porcelain Park site in the Borough of Derry. A community meeting will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the Derry Station Community Room, 100 West Second Street, Derry, PA 15627 for a public review and comment period of the “Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA)” and EPA grant proposal. Copies of the application will be available for viewing at our office, the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland office, and the Borough of Derry offices during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday until November 23, 2011. Public Comment can be directed to Hallie Chatfield, RACW Revitalization Coordinator at 724-830-3050 or hchatfie@co.westmoreland.pa.us by November 23rd. {extended}

Transportation Commission Report On November 9, 2011

2011-10-20T15:40:18Z

The EGC has partnered with The Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation and the Latrobe Area & Westmoreland Chambers of Commerce to host a briefing for Governor Tom Corbett's Transportation Commission Report.

The event, which takes place on November 9, 2011 will be held at the Greensburg Country Club. A luncheon will begin at 11:30 am followed by the program at 11:50 am.

Please RSVP by fax at 724-850--3974 or by e-mail to tinapetroy@egcw.org no later than Wednesday, November 2, 2011. {extended}

2011 Job Hunters Boot Camp Hosted By Congressman Mark Critz

2011-10-14T18:02:41Z

Congressman Mark S. Critz has invited local employers to participate in a "Job Hunters Boot Camp" which he will be hosting at Saint Vincent College on Monday, November 7, 2011. The event, held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is a great opportunity to network with qualified individuals who are seeking employment. Furthermore, the "Job Hunters Boot Camp" is a chance for promotion of your business at no cost to you. Participation in the event is free to employers and local businesses.

Please see the letter and registration form below provided by Congressman Critz for more information on registering for the event.

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Expanding your Market into the Marcellus Shale Industry

2011-08-24T15:05:52Z

The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland (EGC), the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation, the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners, Pennsylvania Representative Eli Evankovich, and Penn State New Kensington all collaborated to hold a Marcellus Shale procurement fair on August 4, 2011.

Committed to helping the local business community capitalize on opportunities in the Marcellus industry, the purpose of the procurement fair was to educate local companies. The fair provided insight on issues related to the Marcellus industry, including securing contracts, and even allowed attendees to meet Marcellus industry representatives.

Speakers at this event included representatives for the Southpoint Energy Resource Group, Range Resources, EQT, and the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. More than 140 representatives from local companies attended the event.

The EGC, along with other partners, also participated in two additional procurement fairs that were held in 2010. Featured speakers for the fairs have included the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association (PIOGA), Atlas Energy, Baker Hughes, XTO and Universal Well Service.

“The economic activity that is being generated from the Marcellus Shale industry is an opportunity for Western Pennsylvania businesses to capitalize on,” Procurement and Program Director, Donna Bates, stated. “Supply chain development is a necessary step to the success of the industry in our county. These types of procurement fairs bring opportunities for local companies to find their niche in the market.”

For information on future events, please contact the Economic Growth Connection at egc@egcw.org.
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Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland Annual Dinner

2011-05-17T14:39:46Z

You are invited to join us for the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland's Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg. This year we are pleased to recognize Larry Larese who is celebrating his 40th year of service in Westmoreland County as Planning Director and Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation. We are eager to be able to honor his contributions, as he is planning to retire later this year.

In addition, we have invited Alan Walker, newly appointed Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as our guest speaker.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Tina Petroy at (724)-850-6870 or tinapetroy@egcw.org by Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
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Downtown Destinations

2011-04-20T13:56:19Z

The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland today unveiled a new website designed to promote business development in the county's core communities. "Downtown Destinations" showcases marketable properties in the county's cities and boroughs that are available for business expansions or new enterprise.
To read more: http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/westmoreland/cwp/view.asp?a=7&q=634147

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Marcellus gas firms courted by Westmoreland

2011-04-20T13:36:43Z

Westmoreland County economic development officials want to attract more Marcellus shale drilling and service companies that would create jobs.

The county will solicit proposals from companies to lease part of the former Sony Corp. television plant near New Stanton, which closed last year, to house a plant for treatment of wastewater from drilling, a move officials say could lead to Westmoreland serving as a hub for the industry.

Read more: Marcellus gas firms courted by Westmoreland to spur jobs - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_718613.html#ixzz1K4Q22Qpk {extended}

New Strategy eyed for ex-Sony site

2011-04-20T13:33:15Z

On a recent wintry afternoon, Doug Orbin stood near the center of the cavernous former Sony Corp. television plant and remembered the glory days.

Read more: New strategy eyed for ex-Sony site in Westmoreland County - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_723776.html#ixzz1K4PPxPu6

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Survey

2010-08-12T20:36:43Z

We are conducting a survey, and your response would be appreciated.

The hottest natural gas boom in the world is right here. The Marcellus Shale formation is driving energy firms to Pennsylvania and Westmoreland County, and the influx of dollars is creating business opportunities with natural gas and service companies, supporting businesses and worker spending. As a business operating in Westmoreland County, you may be taking advantage of the opportunities with the emerging natural gas industry. In many cases, those opportunities are being missed.

In order to best serve the business community of Westmoreland County, the Westmoreland Development Council, in conjunction with the Chambers of Commerce, is asking for businesses to participate in a brief survey. As you will see, the surveys ask for very general information relating to interest, involvement and assistant sought in the industry. Once the surveys are completed and submitted and the information is compiled, the County organizations will have a good understanding of the current status of our business community and make the necessary steps to assist those wanting to take advantage of the many opportunities in this emerging industry.

The Economic Growth Connection, Westmoreland Development Council and county Chambers of Commerce thank you for your participation!

If you cannot see the survey below, click here to take survey.

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Arnold-to-Pittsburgh rail project picks up speed

2010-05-13T00:55:14Z

Backers of a proposed commuter rail line that would run between northern Westmoreland County and Pittsburgh say the project is on the fast track and could begin operations in mid-2013.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_680001.html

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Official face challenges of finding new use for former Sony plant

2010-05-13T00:53:57Z

Officials face challenge of finding new use for former Sony plant that could bring jobs to Westmoreland County.The closing of the Sony Technology Center in Westmoreland County was an economic catastrophe -- and a terrific opportunity.Just two dozen people now work for Sony in the massive plant that employed more than 3,000 people at the height of its days producing TVs almost the size of the Volkswagens. The Japanese company announced a little more than a year ago it was closing the plant as the market moved toward lighter, flat screen TVs.

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The Marcellus Shale: How your company could get in on the action

2010-05-13T00:49:14Z

Before Marcellus Shale gas can go to market, you need exploration and production companies to get it out of the ground, midstream companies to gather and process it, and pipeline companies to transport the goods.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2010/04/26/daily62.html

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Pennsylvania Named as Finalist in Federal ‘Race to the Top’ School Reform Competition

2010-03-17T21:23:35Z

Pennsylvania’s strategies for improving public education have helped it emerge as a finalist in the highly competitive "Race to the Top" federal grant competition, Governor Edward G. Rendell and Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said today.

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7201&PageID=510952&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_hhs/pde/single_web/newsroom_press_releases/news_releases/rendell_administration__pennsylvania_named_as_finalist_in_federal__race_to_the_top__school_reform_competition.html

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FirstEnergy to pay $4.7 billion for Allegheny Energy if states OK

2010-03-15T22:24:27Z

FirstEnergy Corp. said Thursday it agreed to pay $4.7 billion to acquire Greensburg-based Allegheny Energy Inc.

The new FirstEnergy, based in Akron, Ohio, would serve 6.1 million customers in seven states. The deal, approved by both companies' boards, still faces regulatory hurdles in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. First Energy would pick up $3.8 billion in Allegheny Energy debt

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_666670.html

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