Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) page on Facebook and Twitter feed for February 9, 2010:
Walkable Allentown Thinking about walkable Allentown. Downtown residents that work downtown (I live in Old Allentown and work at 4th & Hamilton, some live in Old Fairgrounds and work at PPL, some live in West Park and work at Lehigh Valley Health Network) have nothing to fear with the pending snowstorm! We can walk to work through just about any snowfall and walk to our favorite restaurants for a beer afterward. Lots of drugstores, grocery stores and corner stores will keep us fed and we are only a few blocks away from West Park, where I hope to make a snowman tomorrow after work. Read more about walkable neighborhoods at Walkscore.
Mancino's Pizza & Pasta Fasul You're in a rush, you need food, you need a restaurant recommendation: Mancino's Pizza & Pasta Fasul! Whether you need a quick slice of pizza or you have time for a sandwich, Luigi's ability with dough will impress. Right downtown, at 707 Hamilton! Read some reviews of Mancino's
Quick Links
Loan fund available for small manufacturers in Valley area | mcall.com | MRC loosens restrictions on lending. Up to $30k
As businesses look to recover from hits companies have taken, first order of business is finding capital
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Allentown Good News - February 4, 2010
Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) page on Facebook and Twitter feed for February 4, 2010:
Council Approves BYOB in B1/R Not long ago, 4 Aces Grill discovered that they could not allow their customers to bring wine into the restaurant to enjoy with a meal. BYOB was legal in all business-zoned areas of the city with the exception of B1/R (Limited Business/Residential). Due to the hard work of the City's Permit Specialist, legislation was presented to Allentown City Council last night that would permit BYOB in B1/R restaurants. Council passed the ordinance, allowing restaurateurs to pay a $35 permit that will allow their customers to enjoy their own drinks. Making these types of changes is the beginning of a process of rationalizing the existing zoning code in the city of Allentown to reduce obstacles to operating a business. Look for more changes that will facilitate the kind of compact, urban development that helps create walkable communities.
La Mexicana Grill One of the restaurants that will benefit from the new
BYOB legislation is La Mexicana Grill on Seventh Street, part of the Seventh Street Main Street neighborhood. La Mexicana Grill serves some of the finest tex-mex style Mexican food that you will find in the Lehigh Valley, and acts as a good introduction to Allentown's authentic cuisine. Anyone familiar with more commercial Mexican food will recognize and enjoy many of the dishes at La Mexicana Grill, including great guacamole and amazing fajitas. Learn more at La Mexicana Grill's listing on Yelp.
Quick Links
From the Keystone Edge blog Ben Franklin give nanotech $5.7M boost The grant includes $700,000 for Lehigh University's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. This is an area in which the Lehigh Valley has a real opportunity to excel.
Council Approves BYOB in B1/R Not long ago, 4 Aces Grill discovered that they could not allow their customers to bring wine into the restaurant to enjoy with a meal. BYOB was legal in all business-zoned areas of the city with the exception of B1/R (Limited Business/Residential). Due to the hard work of the City's Permit Specialist, legislation was presented to Allentown City Council last night that would permit BYOB in B1/R restaurants. Council passed the ordinance, allowing restaurateurs to pay a $35 permit that will allow their customers to enjoy their own drinks. Making these types of changes is the beginning of a process of rationalizing the existing zoning code in the city of Allentown to reduce obstacles to operating a business. Look for more changes that will facilitate the kind of compact, urban development that helps create walkable communities.
La Mexicana Grill One of the restaurants that will benefit from the new
BYOB legislation is La Mexicana Grill on Seventh Street, part of the Seventh Street Main Street neighborhood. La Mexicana Grill serves some of the finest tex-mex style Mexican food that you will find in the Lehigh Valley, and acts as a good introduction to Allentown's authentic cuisine. Anyone familiar with more commercial Mexican food will recognize and enjoy many of the dishes at La Mexicana Grill, including great guacamole and amazing fajitas. Learn more at La Mexicana Grill's listing on Yelp.Quick Links
From the Keystone Edge blog Ben Franklin give nanotech $5.7M boost The grant includes $700,000 for Lehigh University's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. This is an area in which the Lehigh Valley has a real opportunity to excel.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Allentown Good News - February 3, 2010
Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) page on Facebook and Twitter feed for February 3, 2010:
American Manufacturing More thoughts from the front in American manufacturing in this Wall Street Journal Article (Radical Shifts Take Hold in U.S. Manufacturing). It seems like a lot of the pessimism about manufacturing in this country comes from very large companies. Allentown is minimally focused on these giants, preferring to direct attention to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Does most of the impact of our local "giants" (like Air Products) come from their purchasing and supply chain activity or direct investment? What is your experience?
Venture Capital Just processed the Brookings Institution report on venture capital in Great Lakes states (including Pennsylvania). The focus of the report is on the lack of VC investments in the Great Lakes region, including Western PA, but stimulates thinking about VC availability in the Lehigh Valley. Pennsylvania received less than 2.5% of all VC investments in the United States in 2009, and although no data exists to support this thought, I would suspect that the share of VC investments in the LV is disproportionately low. Originate Ventures and Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund are the two major VC firms here, but it seems like they make the bulk of their investments outside the region. Do you think that there are some great unfunded ideas floating around the Lehigh Valley? How can we improve VC networks here? Ben Franklin Tech Ventures is probably the best resource that an entrepreneur can access, but do they know to head in that direction? What are your thoughts?
Damascus I can't believe we have gone this long without
suggesting that you try Damascus Restaurant, one of the best middle eastern meals in the Lehigh Valley. Damascus is one of those amazing places where you can totally fill up on appetizers and leave the restaurant VERY happy. The menu is incredible, but I am particular to the kibee and the EXCELLENT babaghannouj. Enjoy it!
Quick Links
How to encourage small innovations (Harvard Business Review)
Cultivating entrepreneurs is the best way to create jobs in Allentown (Lehigh Valley SCORE)
Mapping innovation networks: Exploring regions (McKinsey/Purdue)
ITIF says 162,000 jobs can be created in the short term by simply expanding the R&D tax credit (ITIF: Create Jobs by Expanding the R&D Tax Credit)
American Manufacturing More thoughts from the front in American manufacturing in this Wall Street Journal Article (Radical Shifts Take Hold in U.S. Manufacturing). It seems like a lot of the pessimism about manufacturing in this country comes from very large companies. Allentown is minimally focused on these giants, preferring to direct attention to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Does most of the impact of our local "giants" (like Air Products) come from their purchasing and supply chain activity or direct investment? What is your experience?
Venture Capital Just processed the Brookings Institution report on venture capital in Great Lakes states (including Pennsylvania). The focus of the report is on the lack of VC investments in the Great Lakes region, including Western PA, but stimulates thinking about VC availability in the Lehigh Valley. Pennsylvania received less than 2.5% of all VC investments in the United States in 2009, and although no data exists to support this thought, I would suspect that the share of VC investments in the LV is disproportionately low. Originate Ventures and Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund are the two major VC firms here, but it seems like they make the bulk of their investments outside the region. Do you think that there are some great unfunded ideas floating around the Lehigh Valley? How can we improve VC networks here? Ben Franklin Tech Ventures is probably the best resource that an entrepreneur can access, but do they know to head in that direction? What are your thoughts?
Damascus I can't believe we have gone this long without
suggesting that you try Damascus Restaurant, one of the best middle eastern meals in the Lehigh Valley. Damascus is one of those amazing places where you can totally fill up on appetizers and leave the restaurant VERY happy. The menu is incredible, but I am particular to the kibee and the EXCELLENT babaghannouj. Enjoy it!Quick Links
How to encourage small innovations (Harvard Business Review)
Cultivating entrepreneurs is the best way to create jobs in Allentown (Lehigh Valley SCORE)
Mapping innovation networks: Exploring regions (McKinsey/Purdue)
ITIF says 162,000 jobs can be created in the short term by simply expanding the R&D tax credit (ITIF: Create Jobs by Expanding the R&D Tax Credit)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Allentown Good News - Week of January 25
Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) page on Facebook and Twitter feed for the week of January 25, 2010:
A-Treat Let's spotlight a really fun Allentown manufacturer: A-Treat! Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, we always drank A-Treat. A-Treat has been producing high-quality soft drinks in Allentown
for over 90 years, including all of your favorites (I am partial to the grapefruit soda). Using essential oils and sugar instead of chemicals is one of the ways that A-Treat distinguishes its product from other soda companies. They've been making those great drinks from their building on Union Boulevard for almost 70 years now. So let's raise a weekend toast to the Lehigh Valley's very own soda: A-TREAT! If you are out of the area you buy their soda at A-Treat's web store
Bridgeworks by the Creek One of AEDC's signature projects over the past decade was the remediation of a brownfield on former Mack Truck land at South Tenth
Street. That remediation, coupled with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development facilitated the construction of a modern industrial building that we call Bridgeworks by the Creek. This 90,000 square foot building was divided into 4 units, 3 of which are now occupied by Eastern Surfaces and Blend-Pro, providing over 100 jobs to Lehigh Valley residents. There is still 1 unit left, with over 14,000 square feet of space, 24' ceilings, dock doors, ample parking, and easy access to I-78 and and US-22. Best of all, this property is a Keystone Opportunity Zone through 2019, meaning you pay no corporate income tax. To learn more, download the Bridgeworks by the Creek informational flyer.
La Placita Looking for great Mexican food that goes beyond the tofu tacos of Mexi-Cali or flavorless "salsa of the big chains? Try La Placita Mexico Deli, one of the Lehigh Valley's favorite poblano restaurants. George and Ana run a top-notch place with super-authentic food. Wondering what to order? If you like it spicy, go with the enchiladas (green is spicier than red). If you need something milder, go with the carnitas (pork) taco special. Whatever you decide to go with, you will be stuffed and happy afterward! La Placita is on the corner of 12th & Turner and open for lunch and dinner. Lear more and read reviews at the La Placita Mexico Yelp page.
Deli Plaza This weekend for lunch: good deli! Here's how you warm up when it's 19 degrees out, but it feels like 8: sit down for a great reuben at Deli Plaza. Mike and Mohammed put tremendous care into each sandwich and will personalize your meal. You absolutely must top it off with a milkshake, made to order. Deli Plaza is at 10th & Hamilton. After you eat there, head over to the Deli Plaza UrbanSpoon page and write a review.
Quick Links
In the Next Industrial Revolution, Atoms Are the New Bits | Wired Magazine This is an area in which AEDC is trying to be active. We anticipate that much manufacturing in this country will be smaller in scale, and we hope to make Allentown one of the homes of craft manufacturing over the next 10 years.
Smart Growth: The Business Opportunity for Developers and Production Builders | Smart Growth | US EPA A series of white papers on smart growth. Essential reading.
Valley cities report crime down significantly | themorningcall.com Just the facts, ma'am.
Instead of building new green places, let’s green the ones we have | NRDC
Pennsylvania Career Guide | Center for Workforce Information & Analysis Interesting document, especially for those that find themselves thinking about a career transition.
Jobs for America report | Milken Institute Excellent set of policy recommendations for improving economic development. President Obama clearly looked at this prior to his State of the Union address.
A-Treat Let's spotlight a really fun Allentown manufacturer: A-Treat! Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, we always drank A-Treat. A-Treat has been producing high-quality soft drinks in Allentown
for over 90 years, including all of your favorites (I am partial to the grapefruit soda). Using essential oils and sugar instead of chemicals is one of the ways that A-Treat distinguishes its product from other soda companies. They've been making those great drinks from their building on Union Boulevard for almost 70 years now. So let's raise a weekend toast to the Lehigh Valley's very own soda: A-TREAT! If you are out of the area you buy their soda at A-Treat's web storeBridgeworks by the Creek One of AEDC's signature projects over the past decade was the remediation of a brownfield on former Mack Truck land at South Tenth
Street. That remediation, coupled with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development facilitated the construction of a modern industrial building that we call Bridgeworks by the Creek. This 90,000 square foot building was divided into 4 units, 3 of which are now occupied by Eastern Surfaces and Blend-Pro, providing over 100 jobs to Lehigh Valley residents. There is still 1 unit left, with over 14,000 square feet of space, 24' ceilings, dock doors, ample parking, and easy access to I-78 and and US-22. Best of all, this property is a Keystone Opportunity Zone through 2019, meaning you pay no corporate income tax. To learn more, download the Bridgeworks by the Creek informational flyer.La Placita Looking for great Mexican food that goes beyond the tofu tacos of Mexi-Cali or flavorless "salsa of the big chains? Try La Placita Mexico Deli, one of the Lehigh Valley's favorite poblano restaurants. George and Ana run a top-notch place with super-authentic food. Wondering what to order? If you like it spicy, go with the enchiladas (green is spicier than red). If you need something milder, go with the carnitas (pork) taco special. Whatever you decide to go with, you will be stuffed and happy afterward! La Placita is on the corner of 12th & Turner and open for lunch and dinner. Lear more and read reviews at the La Placita Mexico Yelp page.
Deli Plaza This weekend for lunch: good deli! Here's how you warm up when it's 19 degrees out, but it feels like 8: sit down for a great reuben at Deli Plaza. Mike and Mohammed put tremendous care into each sandwich and will personalize your meal. You absolutely must top it off with a milkshake, made to order. Deli Plaza is at 10th & Hamilton. After you eat there, head over to the Deli Plaza UrbanSpoon page and write a review.
Quick Links
In the Next Industrial Revolution, Atoms Are the New Bits | Wired Magazine This is an area in which AEDC is trying to be active. We anticipate that much manufacturing in this country will be smaller in scale, and we hope to make Allentown one of the homes of craft manufacturing over the next 10 years.
Smart Growth: The Business Opportunity for Developers and Production Builders | Smart Growth | US EPA A series of white papers on smart growth. Essential reading.
Valley cities report crime down significantly | themorningcall.com Just the facts, ma'am.
Instead of building new green places, let’s green the ones we have | NRDC
Pennsylvania Career Guide | Center for Workforce Information & Analysis Interesting document, especially for those that find themselves thinking about a career transition.
Jobs for America report | Milken Institute Excellent set of policy recommendations for improving economic development. President Obama clearly looked at this prior to his State of the Union address.
The ASD asks the community to take part in naming new buildings
As Allentown School District completes Phase I of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan (CFP), there is an opportunity to celebrate this historic school improvement plan with new names for one new school and two new 9th grade centers. Between the months of April and June 2010, the District will be welcoming the public to view the upgrades or expansions of six schools with grand openings. A key part of these grand openings are naming three of the new buildings:
• New Elementary School on Allen Street (in front of Jackson Elementary)
• 9th Grade Center at Louis E. Dieruff High School
• 9th Grade Center at William Allen High School
Nominations can be submitted here and more information can be found about the official process in ASD Policy 701.1, Naming/Renaming District Facilities on the ASD website.
• New Elementary School on Allen Street (in front of Jackson Elementary)
• 9th Grade Center at Louis E. Dieruff High School
• 9th Grade Center at William Allen High School
Nominations can be submitted here and more information can be found about the official process in ASD Policy 701.1, Naming/Renaming District Facilities on the ASD website.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Luncheon Roundup
AEDC attended the Economic Outlook Luncheon hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce on January 26, 2010. This annual event features a look at the year to come and reflections on the economy, and this year featured inaugural Community Development Awards presented by the mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Phillipsburg.
The centerpiece of the event was an economic outlook given by Jay Bryson, Global Economist at Wells Fargo. Bryson presented economic data for the year past, but focused the presentation on 2010 projections. In short, he delivered projections similar to those presented by the Philadelphia Fed at the Community Jobs Forum hosted by CACLV earlier in the month: economic growth should occur in 2010, but it will be weaker than necessary. This growth will not be accompanied by hiring, which will make the average citizen feel like we are still mired in a recession. They expect nonresidential (commercial) construction to continue to contract through 2010, which looks like bad news for a city hoping to rebuild its productive real estate. Additionally, they foresee upside risk in that other OECD economies could begin to rebound at the same time, making life nicer for exporters.
After the global perspective, Kamran Afshar gave a regional snapshot summarizing hiring and purchasing opinions of local firms. Overall, survey respondents reported feeling optimistic about equipment purchase and hiring in 2010, but the numbers are still not what they were in boom times.
In addition to the conjecture, a few local businesses were awarded with Community Development awards. Mayor Ed Pawlowski presented JG Petrucci with an award for Allentown, spotlighting their commitment to rescuing commercial and industrial sites in the city, such as the Mack Corporate Headquarters and the Exide Battery site. Petrucci's purchase of Mack's building will allow Lehigh Valley Health Network to consolidate its administrative functions in Allentown, while their development of the Exide brownfield will create a new, green home for Bennett Toyota.
Mayor Sal Panto of Easton awarded George Mereiles with an award for helping to rebuild Easton's downtown with his restaurant ventures. We are hoping that Mr. Mereiles has the same success here in Allentown with his investment at Ninth & Hamilton, in the Butz Corporate Center.
The centerpiece of the event was an economic outlook given by Jay Bryson, Global Economist at Wells Fargo. Bryson presented economic data for the year past, but focused the presentation on 2010 projections. In short, he delivered projections similar to those presented by the Philadelphia Fed at the Community Jobs Forum hosted by CACLV earlier in the month: economic growth should occur in 2010, but it will be weaker than necessary. This growth will not be accompanied by hiring, which will make the average citizen feel like we are still mired in a recession. They expect nonresidential (commercial) construction to continue to contract through 2010, which looks like bad news for a city hoping to rebuild its productive real estate. Additionally, they foresee upside risk in that other OECD economies could begin to rebound at the same time, making life nicer for exporters.
After the global perspective, Kamran Afshar gave a regional snapshot summarizing hiring and purchasing opinions of local firms. Overall, survey respondents reported feeling optimistic about equipment purchase and hiring in 2010, but the numbers are still not what they were in boom times.
In addition to the conjecture, a few local businesses were awarded with Community Development awards. Mayor Ed Pawlowski presented JG Petrucci with an award for Allentown, spotlighting their commitment to rescuing commercial and industrial sites in the city, such as the Mack Corporate Headquarters and the Exide Battery site. Petrucci's purchase of Mack's building will allow Lehigh Valley Health Network to consolidate its administrative functions in Allentown, while their development of the Exide brownfield will create a new, green home for Bennett Toyota.
Mayor Sal Panto of Easton awarded George Mereiles with an award for helping to rebuild Easton's downtown with his restaurant ventures. We are hoping that Mr. Mereiles has the same success here in Allentown with his investment at Ninth & Hamilton, in the Butz Corporate Center.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Allentown Good News - January 25, 2010
Here's a sampling of what you'll find on the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) page on Facebook and Twitter feed today, January 25, 2010:
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator Are you with a start up and looking for space to grow? AEDC manages the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator on South Tenth Street, and there is space available to the right business. The incubator offers low-cost suites from 1300 to 3400 square feet with 15' ceilings and great light. The building is a former Mack Trucks plant rehabbed in 1989 to house small manufacturing. Current tenants include a manufacturer of industrial prototypes and a supplier to the cryogenics industry. Loans are available for a variety of activities, from equipment purchase to leasehold improvements. The incubator staff is available for technical assistance, and the Bridgeworks Incubator is a proud member of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network. Learn more here and become a fan on Facebook: Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator
Brew Works on the Green We know that you've tried the Brew Works in Allentown
and probably Bethlehem, but have you checked out the Brew Works on the Green yet? They have many of the same beers and all of the quality of the downtown location in a quiet, pleasant spot on the Allentown Municipal Golf Course. With such a rainy day in front of us, why not take in a moment's peace and appreciate the natural beauty of the area around the golf course, all from the comfort of the bar. I recommend a Copper Kettle Pale Ale.
Quick Links
Analysis of state employment data for December 2009 available from Philadelphia Fed Research. Looks like things did not get much better in December.
Golf season is approaching. 2010 memberships now available at Allentown Municipal Golf Course. If you have not had a chance to check out the course, you MUST see it. One of Allentown's treasures.
Bringing Manufacturing Back to the United States (Area Development Online). Complex supply chains and intellectual property issues are cited as reasons that manufacturing firms are bringing some production back to North America.
Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum New Exhibit to Teach Consumers How to Conserve & $ave Energy.
The NACFAM Weekly: President & CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners Testifies before U.S. Congress
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator Are you with a start up and looking for space to grow? AEDC manages the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator on South Tenth Street, and there is space available to the right business. The incubator offers low-cost suites from 1300 to 3400 square feet with 15' ceilings and great light. The building is a former Mack Trucks plant rehabbed in 1989 to house small manufacturing. Current tenants include a manufacturer of industrial prototypes and a supplier to the cryogenics industry. Loans are available for a variety of activities, from equipment purchase to leasehold improvements. The incubator staff is available for technical assistance, and the Bridgeworks Incubator is a proud member of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network. Learn more here and become a fan on Facebook: Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Business Incubator
Brew Works on the Green We know that you've tried the Brew Works in Allentown
and probably Bethlehem, but have you checked out the Brew Works on the Green yet? They have many of the same beers and all of the quality of the downtown location in a quiet, pleasant spot on the Allentown Municipal Golf Course. With such a rainy day in front of us, why not take in a moment's peace and appreciate the natural beauty of the area around the golf course, all from the comfort of the bar. I recommend a Copper Kettle Pale Ale.Quick Links
Analysis of state employment data for December 2009 available from Philadelphia Fed Research. Looks like things did not get much better in December.
Golf season is approaching. 2010 memberships now available at Allentown Municipal Golf Course. If you have not had a chance to check out the course, you MUST see it. One of Allentown's treasures.
Bringing Manufacturing Back to the United States (Area Development Online). Complex supply chains and intellectual property issues are cited as reasons that manufacturing firms are bringing some production back to North America.
Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum New Exhibit to Teach Consumers How to Conserve & $ave Energy.
The NACFAM Weekly: President & CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners Testifies before U.S. Congress
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