Team PA Newsletter

Thanking those that invest in the future of Pennsylvania.

One of Team Pennsylvania Foundation’s investors had a presence at the recently concluded Olympics in China: Perform Group LLC, a York-based compan that has been in business for over 30 years, outfitted six nations whose athletes competed in gymnastics, tumbling and trampoline events. Former Team Pennsylvania Foundation co-chair and current board member Tighe King is President & CEO of Perform Group.

Alpha Factor, a division of Perform Group LLC, made the uniforms worn by athletes from the Canada Federation, Czech Republic, Japan, Norway, Venezuela and Wales.

In addition to manufacturing clothing for its gymnastic line via Alpha Factor, Perform Group is also the parent company to Curtain Call, an outfitter who makes costumes for athletes who compete in dance and spirit competitions.

For more information, visit http://alphafactor.com/about

Journalists tour BAE Systems based in York, PA.

Press Tour showcases Pennsylvania defense-aerospace industry to a world audience

Touting Pennsylvania’s economic assets to nations located around the world seems like a daunting task, but the International Press Tour shows foreign journalists why Pennsylvania is a good place to do business.

Co-sponsored by Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development and several regional partners, six journalists from five countries visited the state in mid-August to tour defense- and aerospace-based facilities.

“Press officials from key global markets are brought here to get a first-hand look at Pennsylvania’s economic leadership and international excellence in important industries,” Rich Hudic, Team PA Foundation President and CEO, said. “The tours showcase the economic strengths and vitality of Pennsylvania business and industry in what is a competitive global marketplace.”

This tour began in Philadelphia with a visit to The Boeing Company and moved to York County for a stop at BAE Systems the next day. The group visited several Johnstown-based defense businesses including JWF Defense Systems, DRS Technologies, Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, and attended the grand opening of Kongsberg Defense Corporation’s new facility. Visits to Carnegie Mellon University’s Cylab, University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Bio-Terrorism in Pittsburgh and the ARMTech showcase in Armstrong County rounded out the week-long tour.

International press for this tour included journalists from highly regarded publications based in Australia, India, Italy, Japan and Switzerland.

Throughout the week, the journalists had very favorable comments about the nature of Pennsylvania’s defense and aerospace industries and the commonwealth as a whole. In his online blog Rumour Control, Gregor Ferguson of Australia posted the following commentary: “…it’s worth putting on the record one strong impression: the Americans believe they are the best at what they do, and they back their own people – defence industry and warfighters alike – to deliver on that promise…”

“Some of the foreign journalists were really amazed at the collaborative relationship between Team Pennsylvania, state and regional officials,” Hudic said. “The one comment we heard again and again was that they do not have the same kind of structure that supports economic development in their home countries. That is a testament to the cooperative nature of the Foundation and its partners at the state and regional levels.”

The foreign journalists weren’t the only ones covering the event. At least six news articles appeared in Pennsylvania publications concerning the journalists’ visit, providing further exposure to local residents about the strong ties between Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the state and local regional development partners.

Here is what a reporter with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote during the journalist’s visit.

Another benefit of the press tours is the development of new business in the commonwealth.

As a direct result of one of the past press tours, Conergy, the world’s largest solar-integration company, chose Pennsylvania as the United States headquarters for its newest venture following an article showcasing the state as a leader in alternative energy initiatives.

“These tours have a positive impact in generating interest in Pennsylvania as a place to do business,” said Hudic. “Ultimately, the benefactors of these tours are Pennsylvania residents who obtain jobs with these companies.”

The next round of tours will take place in October and focus on businesses in the alternative energy sector. Contact us if you'd like to learn more.

Governor Rendell signs SB1063 into law.

New law makes Pennsylvania government more efficient

As part of an ongoing effort by Team Pennsylvania Foundation to identify ways and support projects that make government more efficient and effective, Act 32 was enacted into law in June.

The new law makes Pennsylvania a better place to do business, consolidates collection of the earned income tax and eases the burden for all taxpayers, according to Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger, co-chair, Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

“We want to commend Governor Rendell, Senator Jane Earll, Representative David Levdansky and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Yablonsky for their leadership,” Holsinger said. “The collaborative effort involving local government officials, business leaders and non-profit advocates like Team Pennsylvania Foundation will greatly benefit businesses, consumers and local governments,” she added.

Passage of Senate Bill 1063 was a unique opportunity for Pennsylvania businesses, local governments and the legislature to work together to craft a law that benefits not only business across the commonwealth but all employees as well, according to Team Pennsylvania Foundation President & CEO Rich Hudic.

“An unprecedented partnership of business, civic, and political leaders worked diligently to make this law a reality,” Hudic said. “This law will streamline and make more efficient the earned income collection system.”

Holsinger said the new law calls for the reduction of earned income tax (EIT) collectors from almost 2,000 jurisdictions to collection districts congruent with counties in the state. The amount collected exceeds $1.9 billion annually.

Hudic noted the current system’s inefficiency caused lost revenue due to inconsistent withholding, remittance, distribution and reporting. A study by the PA Economy League found a lack of collection and losses in the distribution process have resulted in uncollected or unremitted taxes estimated to be as much as $237 million.

Team Pennsylvania Foundation would like to thank the following partners in this extremely important endeavor:

PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce & CREDC
Pennsylvania Business Council
PA Chapter of the National Federation of Small Businesses
Pennsylvania Retailers Association
Small Manufacturers Council
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Pennsylvania League of Cities & Municipalities

Young Professionals to gather for conference

Young professionals from across Pennsylvania are making an impact in their communities through the implementation of various service projects designed to enrich their hometowns.

Each year, members from the approximately 30 young professional local chapters gather to share their many success stories, network and discuss ways to make Pennsylvania an even better place to live.

About 300 young professional chapter members will meet in Erie from September 12-14 at the annual statewide conference of the Pennsylvania Young Professionals to review the accomplishments of the past year and to map future strategies. Team Pennsylvania Foundation is the primary sponsor of the Pennsylvania Young Professionals, whose 2008 conference is titled, “get active. Make an imPAct”

“The unbridled enthusiasm and desire these volunteer young professionals exhibit to make Pennsylvania a top destination to work, live and play is an extremely valuable asset to our local communities and the commonwealth,” James Mentzer, Director of Communications, Team Pennsylvania Foundation, said. “The impact these young professionals have politically, socially and civically is immense.”

The conference, which is open to the public, will include professional development sessions, speakers, social networking, and entertainment opportunities for attendees. With topics including technology, fundraising, entrepreneurship, community development, non-profit and community activism and personal finances, guests will be inspired to get active today and make an impact for tomorrow.

Click for more information on the conference or to register.

Finance Fund started to help teach financial fundamentals

The numbers are shocking.

A recent national study of financial literacy among high school seniors revealed an average test score of 48 percent – an “F” on any grading scale. In Pennsylvania, only 20 of nearly 600 high schools surveyed in 2007 required a personal finance course prior to graduation.

In an effort to improve financial literacy in the state, Team Pennsylvania Foundation has joined forces with Pennsylvania’s Office of Financial Education and Pennsylvania Department of Education to raise $5 million for the Financial Education Fund.

Proceeds from the fund will be used to develop a model comprehensive K-12 scope and sequence to integrate financial education instruction at every grade level.

“It is time to invest in Pennsylvania’s teachers and schools to dramatically increase the quality and availability of personal finance instruction for our students,” state Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak wrote in a letter soliciting support from the financial community.

Wendie Dimatteo Holsinger, and Rich Hudic (left), join BJ Clark, Director, Governor Rendell's Philadelphia Office, at the 100th anniversary meeting of the National Governors Association in Philadelphia. More than 45 current and former governors attended the three-day meeting, sponsored by Team PA Foundation, the commonwealth, and numerous PA businesses.

Foundation Briefs

QUICK NEWS & POINTS OF INTEREST

STAFF UPDATE: New staff at Team PA headquarters

A warm welcome by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation family is extended to Alison Hall, Hillary Greene and James Mentzer, all of whom recently joined the foundation staff.

Hall is the foundation’s new Director of Resource Development. Hall replaces Linda Jackson who left to pursue other interests. Greene is the new Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, replacing Shennan Scott-Gemmill, who left the foundation after five years. As Communications Director, Mentzer is in charge of internal and external communications and marketing for the foundation.

Generating electricity from plastic
Demonstrating its leadership in alternative energy initiatives, cutting-edge technology that generates power from a freshwater source is about to debut in Pennsylvania. The technology will be employed in the old steel town of Vandergrift, which is northeast of Pittsburgh. Click here to read more about the first freshwater hydroelectric power project of its kind.

PA program receives national honors
Pennsylvania’s commitment to economic development has gained national recognition from the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices and the Pew Center on the States.

The organizations recognized the state’s Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) program, a vital part of the state’s economic stimulus package aimed at bringing universities, early stage companies, entrepreneurs and communities together to boost retention of college graduates and job creation.

The report highlighted four essential components for economic development innovation. Pennsylvania’s KIZs received a commendation for the “interaction” component, citing the use of state funding and tax credits to encourage universities and research institutions to physically partner with local entrepreneurs. The report highlighted “expertise,” “diversity” and “application” as the other core components necessary for true innovation.

“Team Pennsylvania Foundation strongly supports KIZ’s main focus to strengthen the relationship between higher education and the advanced technology industry,” Rich Hudic, President and CEO, Team Pennsylvania Foundation, said. “The ability to offer graduating college students jobs in this field is one key to the overall future economic success of the commonwealth.”

KIZ was launched in 2004 as a way to capitalize on the commonwealth’s network of quality universities. By encouraging those institutions to partner with community organizations and businesses, the program is designed to promote job growth in technology-related industries.

So far, more than $11.1 million has been invested in 29 KIZ projects across the commonwealth, leading to the creation of 2,360 jobs, the retention of 3,253 jobs, the formation of 187 new companies and the leveraging of $416.5 million in new investments.

Team Pennsylvania Foundation is a founding member/partner in the South Bethlehem KIZ. To learn more about the KIZ Program, click here.

Foreign company to build headquarters in PA
Almac Group, an integrated research, development and manufacturing services provider to worldwide pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, recently announced it is moving its U.S. headquarters to Harleysville, Montgomery County, bringing at least 260 new jobs within three years and retaining 495 existing Pennsylvania positions. The company will build a new, 240,000-square-foot building in Lower Salford Township. Construction will begin this year, with the facility expecting to be fully operational by 2010.

Team Pennsylvania Foundation was instrumental in facilitating a meeting between Almac Group and state officials that was the first step in the process of bringing the Ireland-based company to Pennsylvania.

“We are proud to locate our new U.S. headquarters in Pennsylvania,” said Sir Allen McClay, Almac Group chairman. “We have come a long way and are now a global business, a global family and our presence demonstrates that the economic relationship between our two countries is not a one way street.”

Many of the new jobs will focus on the software development and laboratory specialist fields.

Team Pennsylvania Foundation board member recognized
Team Pennsylvania Foundation board member Charles A. Leonard, Executive Director, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, has been awarded the “Economic Development Professional” (EDP) designation by the Northeastern Economic Developers Association.

The EDP designation is awarded to professionals working in economic development who meet the following requirements: have a minimum of three years of work experience actively engaged in economic development; document completion of comprehensive coursework encompassing a wide range of skills including Business Retention & Expansion, Business Finance, Marketing & Business Attraction, Real Estate and Community & Neighborhood Development; and document advanced level education in at least three separate topics of importance to economic development work, through formal training and/or direct experience.

In order to maintain the designation, the individual must demonstrate ongoing commitment to staying current on new tools and techniques through coursework and professional service.

Michelle Bisbing, also of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, was recognized with the same honor.

Pennsylvania International Week to be held
Pennsylvania International Week (Sept. 8 – 23) is a series of presentations, seminars and networking events designed specifically for Pennsylvania companies interested in exporting their products. It is also an opportunity to meet one-on-one with Pennsylvania’s team of Authorized Trade Representatives to discuss your objectives and market entry strategies. Representatives from over 20 countries will be on-hand at each location.

For more information, visit NewPA.com or call 717-720-7364.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect your business to experts and resources from around the world!

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, read more here.

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.