CBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY

1

in this issueAUGUST 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 6

1 Conference aims to engage small to medium businesses in additive manufacturing

1 CBICC Workforce Development Committee preparing to assess employers’ workforce needs

2 Mission Critical Partners: a passion for public safety is leading to impressive business growth

3 CBICC continuing dialogue with Penn State on economic development

3 CBICC to host county commissioners for First Annual “State of the County” luncheon

3 Economic Developments in Brief

4 CBICC in Action

4 Advertise in front + Centre print edition

of the university, is a strong selling point.”

CBICC Workforce Development Committee preparing to assess employers’ workforce needsThe CBICC’s Workforce Development Committee is working on a plan to better assess and address the workforce needs of Centre County employers.

Co-chaired by Bellefonte Area School District Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Potteiger and State College School District Superintendent Robert O’Donnell, and comprising CBICC members representing a number of secondary and post-secondary educational institutions in and around the county, the committee wants to determine how the area’s educational institutes can better work with businesses to ensure a 21st century workforce.

“Matching the education system to the skills today’s employers require is crucial to business competitiveness,” CBICC President Vern Squier said.

The committee will roll out its initiative in the near future in order to help ensure the success of established businesses in Centre County.

Mission Critical Partners: a

Conference aims to engage small to medium size businesses in additive manufacturingThe CBICC, along with Innovation Park, are helping to co-sponsor an upcoming national forum on the technology, application and business of additive manufacturing for small and medium enterprises.

Presented by America Makes and the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition at Penn State, the forum will be held Oct. 22-24 at the Penn Stater Conference Center.

The event will be bring together leading industry experts for a comprehensive program designed to challenge small to medium sized business on how to strategically implement additive manufacturing in their operations and become players in an industry that is changing the face of light manufacturing and many other fields.

A complete conference agenda and registration information will be available in the near future.

CBICC President Vern Squier stressed that additive manufacturing holds significant promise for the local economy.

“With Penn State University’s status as the leading research institution for additive manufacturing/3D printing, Centre County has the potential to be an industry hub,” he said. “From a business recruitment standpoint, to be located in where cutting-edge research is taking place; where advancements are being made, and to be close to the talent coming out

CBICC Mission

One of the largest chambers/economic development organizations in Pennsylvania, the

Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is the unified voice of businesses of all sizes and industry sectors in Centre County. The CBICC’s

mission is to promote the well-being and growth of commerce and industry, while striving to maintain a high quality of life for those who live, work and

do business in Centre County.

Ted McDowell Senior Vice President, AmeriServ Bank

Chairman of the Board

Bill Joseph Senior Vice President, First National Bank

Vice Chairman of the Board

Vern SquierPresident and CEO

2

AUGUST 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 6

passion for public safety is leading to impressive business growthMission Critical Partners, Inc. is a true Centre County business success story. Backed by an experienced leadership and support team passionate about its work, MCP is gaining nationwide attention not only for its industry knowledge in helping local, state and federal government clients improve public safety communications, but for the company’s impressive, steady growth as well.

After getting its start in the CBICC’s Technology Center business incubator at Innovation Park, the company’s Grays Woods facility – with its modern design, abundant natural lighting and state-of-the-art technology – is today headquarters to a growing team of public safety consultants working throughout the nation.

With four practice areas, MCP supports public safety clients by helping them improve strategy, policy, systems and processes. The company’s capabilities include: broadband deployment; emergency management communication, consulting and master planning; facility and technology design and integration; public safety radio; public safety consolidation and shared services; and next generation 911.

MCP has nine principals who serve as key leadership in the public safety consulting firm. Two of the nine include President and CEO R. Kevin Murray, ENP, and VP and CFO Sam Kerns, CPA.

Kerns said the company’s industry experience – 300 years in one practice area alone – and passion about public safety are driving its impressive growth.

clients, MCP continues to positively impact Centre County as well.

MCP was instrumental in the development and implementation of Centre County’s new 911 radio communications system.

MCP worked closely with county commissioners to support the county in site acquisition to improve coverage and to increase the total site count from 13 sites to 19 sites. Site development support for the county included overseeing all new “reconditioned” shelters and generators that were installed at all sites at a greatly reduced cost.

Kerns noted that all sites were ready ahead of schedule for the delivery of the vendors’ equipment. MCP also conducted all of the FCC licensing for every site in the system, based on the final design. MCP was also in attendance, along with county staff, for the formal testing period during which all equipment was built, staged and tested at Motorola’s headquarters in Schaumburg, IL.

Kerns said MCP worked closely with the county and the vendor during the testing phase of the system, assuring that the county received what they paid for. MCP provided guidance and forethought in the development of a cutover plan and support the county during the multi-month transition of users from the old system to the new.

“During the entire process, Mission Critical Partners integrated the radio system upgrade project into other related projects we were supporting in the county, including the 911 center renovation and 911 phone system upgrade,” Kerns noted.

Over the past few years, the company has grown about 30 percent a year and almost 40 percent this year.

Having recently added significantly to its staff, the company employs 76 people, with plans to increase that number to 80 in the near future. They serve their clients out of offices in Dallas, Raleigh, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg with another 20 employees working out of their homes in other parts of the country.

In the early years of MCP’s founding, Kerns stressed that it was a strong support system in Centre County for start-up businesses –including Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the CBICC business incubator – that enabled the company to succeed.

“When we were just starting out, it was really nice to reach out to someone from Ben Franklin to get some guidance in marketing, accounting or general business,” he said. “No matter what our needs, they were always willing to help.”

The CBICC accommodated Mission Critical’s growth by providing additional space within the incubator. They also enabled MCP to qualify for the PA Keystone Innovation Zone tax credit program.

“Plus, there were many times that we used common meeting areas and this saved us from having to rent even more space,” Kerns said, adding that the location of the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel being across the street from their office was very convenient, not only for our out-of-town candidates but for out-of-town staff.

Now building a base of state and national

Kevin Murray, President, and Sam Kerns, VP and CFO, of Mission Critical Partners

MCP’s Gray’s Woods Headquarters

3

AUGUST 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 6

MCP also facilitated the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding between Centre County and Penn State University.

“The intention was to set forth terms of agreement, including financial considerations, system access, equipment location, system management, licenses, ownership/usage, and organizational commitments,” Kerns said. “This will result in savings for both the county and the university.”

CBICC continuing dialogue with Penn State on economic developmentBuoyed by Penn State University President Dr. Eric Barron’s comments to CBICC membership about his economic vision for the university, the CBICC continues to meet with university leadership on how to continue to work collaboratively to achieve this shared mission.

“There have been very encouraging, productive conversations about the benefits to the university, the county and the entire region of working together to strengthen the private sector economy,” CBICC President Vern Squier said. “We are headed in a positive direction and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

CBICC to host county commissioners for First Annual ‘State of the County’ LuncheonCentre County Commissioners Steve Dershem, Chris Exarchos and Michael Pipe will be the featured speakers at the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County’s First Annual “State of the County” Luncheon.

The event will be held at noon Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Penn Stater Conference Center.

The luncheon will provide a forum for Centre County officials to address timely topics and issues that are pertinent to business leaders and residents, as well as discuss their strategic vision for the future of the county.

“I appreciate the opportunity the CBICC has created for the commissioners to

discuss the top priorities facing Centre County government now and in the future,” Commissioner Mike Pipe said.

The commissioners are also seeking input from the business community about topics they would like to have addressed at the event. Members are welcome to email suggested topics to LKistner@cbicc.org.

Online registration is available here.

Economic Developments in BriefCBICC lends backing to local energy independence project

The CCIDC, the economic development arm of the CBICC, sent a letter to state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Alan Walker in support of SEDA-COG’s application for the Renewing Millheim’s Energy Independence Project, a collective, communitywide approach to energy reduction. In its letter, the CCIDC stressed that the energy cost savings achieved through energy assessments and the implementation of recommended retrofits across the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors would help to promote stable employment and prosperity for residents and business owners throughout the region.

Businesses have chance to meet with Pennsylvania’s international trade representatives

The CBICC is a Gold Sponsor of the Central PA International Trade Conference, which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 at Hoag’s Celebration Hall in State College. This is an excellent opportunity to sit down individually with 16 of the Commonwealth’s Authorized Trade Representatives to discuss your

strategies, opportunities, and potential in more than 40 different markets. This event is ideal for both new-to-export companies and seasoned exporters. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The event is free. However, pre-registration is required by Sept. 1. Read more…

Pennsylvania SBDC releases on-demand webinar series for entrepreneurs

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, through grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Association, has released a series of four on-demand webinars for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Webinar topics include cloud computing, marketing your business online, exploring new markets, and business continuity planning. Each webinar is designed to take business owners step-by-step through the process of growing and protecting their business. Each webinar is between 16 minutes and 26 minutes in length, and is available for on-demand viewing 24/7. Viewers must register in order to watch the series. Read more…

Pennsylvania was recently named a top global destination for energy industries by the Foreign Direct Investment Association. The Commonwealth’s designation as the 2014 FDI Destination of the Future for Energy Intensive Industries is for actively implementing strategies to support foreign direct investment in the energy sector. Nominations for the award were assembled from around the world and chosen by a panel of industry consultants, according to the FDI

4

AUGUST 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 6

Publisher Vern Squier

President/CEO, CBICC

Writer Lesley Kistner

Communications Director LKistner@cbicc.org

Association. The second destination was Ontario, Canada. Pennsylvania is second for electricity generation and nuclear production, fourth for coal production and is the second-largest producer of natural gas in the United States.

CBICC in ActionPennsylvania Free Enterprise Week teaches young people about leadership in business, life

CBICC Breakfast Before Hours to highlight PFEW program, opportunities for business community involvement

Foundation for Free Enterprise President and CEO John Trombetta will be the keynote speaker at the CBICC’s Business Before Hours program on from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Hoag’s Celebration Hall.

CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner will share her experience as volunteer company advisor, and Centre County students who attended PFEW this year will talk about how they have benefited from the PFEW program.

Online registration will be available soon on the CBICC website.

JOBS1st Summit aims to build a stronger Pennsylvania

CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner attended The Governor’s JOBS1st Summit Aug. 25-26 in Pittsburgh. A number of economic development organizations and professionals attended the event, which focused on Having a workforce ready to tackle the jobs of the 21st century is critical to the overall health of our economy. Pennsylvania’s premier JOBS1st Summit will build on Governor Tom Corbett’s efforts to align education, training, and technology resources to better connect employees with employer needs. The Summit will encourage conversations and connections between leaders and innovators and examine opportunities to integrate technology, creativity and leadership into workforce development so that Pennsylvania can strengthen what is already the best workforce in the nation.

CBICC to sponsor ‘Doing Business with Penn State University’ forum

The CBICC has joined with SEDA-COG, the Innovative Manufacturing Center and the Penn State Small Business Development Center in sponsoring a “Doing Business with Penn State University” forum from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec.

4 at Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, 253 Transfer Road in Bellefonte. Presented by Penn State Supplier Diversity Manager Duane Bullock and Penn State Contractor Liaison Vernon Davis, the forum will address how the university purchases products and services; how the find business opportunities with Penn State; how to get on Penn State’s Prequalified Bidders List; what is the Penn State Purchasing Card; and how to find construction opportunities with Penn State. Attendees will also learn more about the Office of Physical Plant Contractor Diversity Program. Online registration is available here.

Advertise your business in front + Centre, Centre County Gazette editionWednesday, Sept. 3 is the deadline to reserve advertising space in the next Centre County Gazette edition of front + Centre, which publishes on Thursday, Sept. 11. The inaugural publication in May was a success, and there are many great articles planned for the September issue, including interesting profiles of Centre County business success stories, and insights on economic development from Penn State President Dr. Eric Barron.

Advertising rates and ad specifications are available here. The CBICC thanks businesses that have supported this publication, which provides insight into the issues, individuals and activities that are driving economic growth in Centre County.

CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner represented the CBICC the week of Aug. 2-9 at Penn College of Technology in Williamsport serving as student advisor for the Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week program. Presented for 36 years by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, PFEW is an intensive program that educates high school students about the American free enterprise system. Since its inception, PFEW has brought more than 33,000 motivated students together with business people from throughout the state. This year, 21 students from State College and Bald Eagle Area high schools in Centre County attended the program, which was held over five separate weeks this summer at Penn College and Lycoming College.

Company advisor Lesley Kistner and the students of team “Aldah Shoes.”

Alex Boyer [second row at right] and his PFEW company.

“PFEW was a great experience for me. I had a chance to meet some amazing people that changed by life. I also learned more about myself, and the program gave me a better idea of what I want to do with my life. …It ended up making me a better person and I’m so happy I had the chance to go there.”

-- Alex Boyer, Bald Eagle Area High School