SCRANTON - Today, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) and Secretary of the Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic Development, Austin J. Burke, announced a
$60,000 federal grant to help develop an eight-county regional economic
development strategic plan to expand the region's existing bioscience
sector.
The plan is spearheaded by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional
Bioscience Initiative (NEPA RBI). The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
awarded the funding to The Scranton Lackawanna County Industrial Building
Company (SLIBCO), the economic development arm of the Greater
Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
The plan will identify the assets and unmet needs of Northeastern Pennsylvania for bioscience growth and
provide strategic recommendations for regional development. AngelouEconomics, a
consulting firm located in Austin,
Texas has been selected to
complete the analysis.
The regional strategic study will include input and
direction from education, business, economic development and government
partners from Lackawanna,
Luzerne, Monroe,
Wayne, Pike,
Susquehanna, Schuylkill and Wyoming Counties.
"This federal funding will help Northeastern
Pennsylvania further develop its bioscience industry which has
only improved with the creation of The Commonwealth Medical College," said
Congressman Kanjorski. "This federal
funding, in addition to $99,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will
help enable the development of a strategic plan to help build up this industry
in the area, and create jobs in a sector that will only continue to grow
throughout the country. We can ensure
that the growth of the bioscience industry does not bypass Northeastern
Pennsylvania."
"Appalachia's future is about economic diversification and
creating new jobs for a knowledge based economy," said ARC Federal Co-Chair
Earl F. Ghol. "Bioscience is one of the new economic engines that can create
opportunities for both growth and jobs, and this regional strategic plan will
help to identify ways to unlock its full potential in Northeastern
Pennsylvania. We at ARC are pleased to provide funding for this
important project.
Austin J. Burke, secretary, The Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic Development stated, "The key to attracting and growing
bioscience research and development opportunities will be through the
leveraging of the region's assets. The
development of a regional strategic plan will be the blueprint on which this
sector is built."
"Development of a strategic plan of this importance would
not be possible without the collaboration of the region's economic development,
business and educational communities," said Philip
Condron, acting executive vice president, SLIBCO. "We
are thrilled to have all funding in place for this project and look forward to
working with AngelouEconomics. Their
analysis of our region's bioscience strengths and recommendations on how best
to improve our weaknesses will allow us to expand a growing business sector and
develop high-paying job opportunities for a qualified workforce."
The Appalachian Regional Commission awards grants and
contracts from funds appropriated to the Commission annually by Congress.
Program grants are awarded to state and local agencies and governmental
entities (such as economic development authorities), local governing boards,
and nonprofit organizations. Contracts are awarded for research on topics that
directly impact economic development in the Appalachian Region.
Grant funding was also received from the United States
Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Life Science Greenhouse of PA
(LSGHPA), and PPL Electric
Utilities. Wayne County Industrial Development Corporation (WEDCO), Mericle
Commercial Real Estate Services, and Penn's Northeast have also supported this
project.
AngelouEconomics is one of the largest independent global
economic development consulting firms, serving as experts in planning,
marketing implementation, site selection, and U.S. investment promotion.
Headquartered in Austin, TX the company customizes client strategies
to attract high-value business and a sustainable workforce.
SLIBCO and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Bioscience
Initiative (NEPA RBI) would like to extend special thanks to Northeastern
Pennsylvania Alliance, PA Department of Community and Economic Development,
U.S. Senator Robert Casey, Jr., U.S. Representative Paul Kanjorski, U.S.
Representative Christopher Carney for their assistance in securing funding to
support this regional initiative.
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