Team PA Newsletter

Team Pennsylvania Foundation Co-Chair Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger has recently published an op-ed in newspapers throughout the state showcasing the recent economic development success of the Commonwealth, and the role that the Foundation has played in that success. To read the article as it was published click here: Patriot News | Philadelphia Inquirer

Team PA supports Westinghouse Electric Co. Expansion

Team Pennsylvania Foundation’s efforts helped Pennsylvania win bid for a new headquarters of Westinghouse Electric Company resulting in nearly 2,000 jobs averaging $80,000/yr salaries. Donald Smith, VP of economic development for Carnegie Mellon University & Univ. of Pittsburgh stated that a project of this size has a multiplier effect that is expected to create 3 new jobs for each Westinghouse job, and $3 in new investment for each dollar of new Westinghouse payroll.

In response to a growing worldwide demand for Westinghouse technologies, Westinghouse Electric Company was actively looking for a location for a new Headquarters facility. In a heated competition with other states, Team PA Foundation’s tax analysis services (provided by KPMG) were called in by the Governor’s Action Team (GAT) as a critical tool to help Westinghouse understand Pennsylvania’s tax structure in comparison to its other options. Through a retainer with Team PA Foundation, KPMG provides, at no cost to Westinghouse or other GAT clients, an independent, third party assessment of the tax implications of a Pennsylvania locations and a thorough description of the legislative process, the local approval process and the process by which companies qualify for the KOZ benefits.

Upon consideration of the information provided by KPMG and the Commonwealth’s subsequent creation of a Strategic Development Area (SDA) which would provide KOZ-like benefits to the new facility, Westinghouse decided to choose western PA as the site for its new facility. Details of the deal are in the process of being finalized, including the final site and the local approvals needed for tax benefits.

In response to Team Pennsylvania Foundation’s support, a state official working with Westinghouse stated: “I cannot overemphasize the critical importance of KPMG’s engagement in this effort. Their ability to provide, in an expedited fashion, an independent assessment of the program benefits to Westinghouse and get the company to a level of comfort in its understanding of the many nuances of the program was invaluable in the Commonwealth’s efforts to secure this important project.”

Journalists from 6 European countries pose with Governor Rendell during the most recent International Press Tour.

Bringing the World to Pennsylvania
Through a targeted investment, Team PA Foundation has been able to showcase Pennsylvania as an attractive market in some of the leading industry publications throughout Europe. We have partnered with the Commonwealth’s Office of International Business Development (OIBD) to develop a series of tours where press officials from key global markets are brought to PA to get a first-hand look at Pennsylvania’s leadership in important industries. An outcome of the Global Competitiveness Initiative, this series of International Press Tours have already showcased our alternative energy sector and defense technology sector. The latest tour, showcasing Pennsylvania’s unique alternative and renewable energy industry assets, took place during the first week of February. Team PA Foundation flew in and hosted journalists from some of the premier business and energy media outlets throughout France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK. Previous tours have already paid great dividends in showcasing PA as a leader in alternative energy throughout Europe, and contributed to Conergy (the world's largest solar-integration company) choosing PA as the US Headquarters for its newest venture.

The Foundation thanks all of the organizations which made this tour a success: DCED's Office of International Business Development, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., and Select Greater Philadelphia.

Best Places to Work in PA accepting nominations for 2007!
The competition for a coveted spot on the 2007 list of the 100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania is underway! Nominations for these valuable awards are now being accepted online at www.bestplacestoworkinpa.com. While making the list alone can be a prestigious honor, participating companies gain additional benefits. Each participant receives the results of both their employee statistical survey and their workplace practices summary. The latter summary collects data on workplace philosophy, practices, systems, and demographics. Most past participants have agreed that the information they receive after the process is nearly as valuable as finding themselves on the final list.

The Best Places competition is a public/private partnership among Team Pennsylvania Foundation; the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED); the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; and the Best Companies Group. For more information or to make a nomination...

Foundation bids farewell to DCED Exec. Deputy Secretary
Executive Deputy Secretary Dan Gundersen has accepted a nomination by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer to serve as Upstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC). This position is the top-economic development official in Upstate New York. Since taking his post at DCED in 2003, Gundersen has been a strong supporter and friend of the Foundation and a great asset to the Commonwealth’s economic development leadership. Dan was a leader in the wide scale use and implementation of the findings of the Team PA Foundation’s Global Competitiveness Initiative, and the subsequent transformation of the economic development delivery system in Pennsylvania.

Business Opportunities from Abroad
The Commonwealth's Office of International Business Development has provided us with business lead opportunities discovered by PA's international representatives. These leads include businesses that may be interested in locating in, investing in, or trading with, businesses located in Pennsylvania. For descriptions of this recent activity and to read more about the opportunities that may be available for your business, please click here.

Foundation Welcomes Resource Development Director

Linda M. Jackson has been named Director of Resource Development for the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. In her new position, Linda will be responsible for fundraising and marketing activities of the Foundation. Jackson is a seasoned fundraising professional having spent 13 years in the profession, the last 7 with the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA where she designed and implemented a comprehensive development program. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central PA Chapter where she serves as second vice president and annual conference co-chair, the Community of Lebanon Association, serving as President, a member of the Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club, County of Lebanon Transit Authority (COLT) and QUEST where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Jackson resides in Lebanon City with her three children. To contact Linda for more information about investing in the Team PA Foundation, click here.

QUICK NEWS & POINTS OF INTEREST

Attorney General Tom Corbett joined the Team PA Foundation's investors on January 24th to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth. These meetings, titled the "Investor's Exchange" are a series of meetings where our partners have the opportunity to have candid discussion with some of the most influential leaders in the Commonwealth. For more information or to join the investor's group, contact us. For more information on Attorney General Tom Corbett, click here.

High Companies Receive Award

An independent panel selected by Central Penn Business Journal (CPBJ) has named The High Companies "Corporate Citizen of the Year" for 2006 as part of the publication's third annual Business of the Year recognition program. The award was accepted by W. Thomas Kennedy III, President and CEO of High Industries, Inc., and Nevin D. Cooley, President and CEO of High Real Estate Group, LLC. The High Companies have been long time supporter and investor in the Team PA Foundation. Dale High, Chairman of the Board of Directors for High Industries, Inc. and High Real Estate Group, LLC serves on the Board of Directors of the Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

The High Companies, based at Greenfield Corporate Center, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2006. Founded in 1931, this family-owned company serves its customers through the following businesses: industrial/commercial, multi-family, and retail development; brokerage, leasing, and asset and property management services; real estate investments; hotel ownership and management; architecture and construction; steel fabrication, erection, and distribution; precast concrete building systems; and air-quality and safety consulting.The High Companies operate 44 offices in 10 states. More information...

Penny Lee joins Senate Majority Leaders’s Staff

Executive Director of the Democratic Governors’ Association (DGA), Penny Lee has joined Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s staff as Senior Advisor for Communications and Outreach. In this position, she will be responsible for oversight of all communications operations, including message development, policy integration and ongoing implementation to advance the Leader’s agenda and that of the Senate Democratic caucus. Penny was formerly the Communications Director to Governor Ed Rendell.

PPL President Retires

Effective as of January 1, 2007, John Sipics has retired as President of PPL Electric Utilities due to health reasons. PPL's COO, Bill Spence, will act as President until PPL names a permanent replacement.

PPL Corporation is a long time supporter and investor of the Team PA Foundation. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corp. controls more than 11,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. More information...

Penn’s Northeast President Accepted New Position

Former Penn's Northeast President Jim Cummings will leave the regional economic development organization in mid-February. He has accepted a senior management position with Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services. Cummings joined Penn's Northeast as its first president in March of 2003 after a 17 year career with The Scranton Plan of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services is a Team PA Foundation investor based in Wilkes-Barre and has grown to become the largest full-service commercial real estate company in northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Cummings will develop and oversee Mericle's marketing program. For more information...

Team PA Ambassador Joe Viscuso Receives Award

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, representing Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties and all of southern New Jersey has named Vollmer partner Joseph J. Viscuso, PE, LS Engineer of the Year in 2007.

Visit Pennsylvania's Business Diversity Portal!

If you or your company is interested in advertising on Pennsylvania's Business Diversity Portal contact the Team PA Foundation here.

PA SourceNet highlights Veteran Owned Businesses

PA SourceNet, the best way to do business in PA, now provides a simple way for you to find or showcase Veteran owned businesses. If you’re a veteran and own a business, click here to register. If you’re a business looking for trade leads or contacts with Pennsylvania businesses of all types click here to register. REGISTRATION IS FREE!!! Nearly 10,000 businesses have already registered!
For a listing of all Veteran owned businesses registered so far, click here.