AME Event – Developing Leaders for Tomorrow – Today!

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Lauri Moon
Wed, 03/21/2012 – Fri, 03/23/2012
West Point, New York
 
AME Office: 224-232-5980
Email: schandler@ame.org
 
United States Military Academy

AME is conducting a very special workshop at the home of leadership, the United States Military Academy at West Point. The workshop is designed to give insights into how to create the conditions for a team to win and win BIG!  The US Military Academy at West Point is a world class benchmark for Leader Development. Developing leaders in business is a major topic of concern in America. This workshop will show you how the US Military identifies, trains, and professionally develops Leaders we can count on.  We instinctively know that America’s strength and competitive advantage is its workforce, yet that workforce can only be as good as its leadership at all levels. The agenda will cover the full range of leadership training for ’Heartbeat Leaders’ those who define the core essence of an organization and who represent the key linkage between the individual team member and the rest of the organization. Specifically, practical methods will be reviewed for organizations to conceive, define, plan, implement, and measure Leader Identification, Training, and Development Systems so that they reinforce and sustain the transformation to excellence. A similar event was conducted in 2010 and received a 4.8 rating on a 5.0 scale!

Featuring:

“Leadership and Character Building at West Point, in the Army and Beyond”

Starting with an in-depth tour of the Academy, you will see how every aspect of academy life is focused on the mission. LTC Dave Jones will provide AME a behind the scenes tour of West Point to illustrate how USMA inculcates the lives of its Cadets with ‘values’ every day in every way. He will also lead an interactive discussion about how the academy instills Leadership and Ethics and share how West Point approaches Leadership and Character Development. Dave will facilitate a discussion that explores leadership development concepts, and application at West Point. They come to West Point from every station in life and every neighborhood around the world, but they graduate into leaders we entrust with lives. He will draw on linkages with the Military and the business world. In addition, he will share with the team some leader insights about shaping the Millennial Generation, and share some insights from his year-long deployment in Afghanistan

“Leader Powered Lean: Heartbeat Leaders First”

On Day 2, Joe Barto, founder and President of TMG Inc. will deliver a presentation that will help attendees translate the concepts covered to business and industry

“Greatness is Possible, but Rare”

World renowned author Steven Spear will present on the final day.  Steve is an internationally – recognized expert on leadership, innovation, and operational excellence.  His book “The High Velocity Edge” is a must-read for all business leaders.      

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Manufacturing Clients Featured in Keystone Edge

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Lauri Moon

Central PA playground equipment maker combines smartphones and barcodes for ordering new parts – Playworld Systems

Custom parts manufacturer in Central PA in midst of expansion project – Advanced Powder Products

Central PA equipment maker is picture of American manufacturing rebound – McLanahan Corp.

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Are you benefitting from historical low natural gas prices?

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Lauri Moon

Scanning headlines, you may notice natural gas prices are getting increased attention. Natural gas prices are at historical 9-year lows. Can your business benefit?

Your business can greatly benefit

If your business is located in a state with a deregulated natural gas market, now is the best buying opportunity in many years for natural gas supply. You can lock in a fixed-price supply contract today that takes advantage of historical low prices for years to come.

Causes of low prices

Impacting natural gas prices are mild winter weather, a decrease in demand for electricity, and an abundance of supply. Also significantly contributing to historical low prices is how and where natural gas is extracted. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are innovative techniques for capturing natural gas in shale formations, including the Barnett Shale inTexas, the Marcellus Shale inPennsylvania, and the Haynesville Shale inLouisiana. The techniques, enhanced from the engineering perspective and fostered by regulatory changes during the last 5 years, give theUnited Statesaccess to an estimated 100-years worth of shale gas that was previously unreachable.

Environmental benefit

An increasing number of coal-burning power plants are switching to natural gas for generating electricity. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal, and gas-burning power plants are cheaper than coal-burning plants to build and to operate. Recent state and federal legislation forces coal-fired power plants to decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency recently cited coal-burning power plants as the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in theUnited States.

In the last decade, use of natural gas to generate electricity increased 50 percent. The U.S. Energy Information Agency reports that between 2009 and 2010 natural gas use for power generation increased by 24% inNorth Carolina, 18% inVirginia, and 15% inSouth Carolina. The bottom line is cleaner skies and more gas being used to generate electrons.

Price forecast

During the last decade, natural gas price swings were dramatic, particularly when hurricanes affected natural gas production in theGulf of Mexico. Who could forget the late summer of 2005 when hurricanes Rita and Katrina hit the Gulf, driving gas prices up to an all time high? Today, demand for natural gas is increasing worldwide, not just in theUnited States. Federal permits are in place to provide for the extraction and delivery of 3 trillion cubic feet per year of natural gas exports. AsU.S.and worldwide demand increases, so could prices. Most industry experts forecast continued fluctuations in natural gas prices with a slow steady upward trend. Wind, solar, and other “green” resources are increasingly being used to create electricity but they are not able to generate enough power to keep up with the growth in demand. And, those resources are less attractive on a relative cost basis when natural gas prices are low. The fewer available alternatives, the higher natural gas prices could climb.

What does it mean for you?

In states with deregulated natural gas markets, now is an ideal time to consider pricing provided by many competitive suppliers. If you’re currently in a supply contract that ends a year or more from now, you can still consider locking in today’s prices for future supply needs in a supply contract that begins when your current contract ends. A supply contract with terms and conditions that best take advantage of historical low natural gas prices can lock in a price for service as far out as 2016. States with deregulated natural gas markets are AR, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX, VA, WV, and WI.

APPI Energy can help

Are you confident that you’re paying the lowest natural gas prices and have a supply contract that meets your needs? If your answer is, “I don’t know,” APPI Energy can help. Founded in 1996, APPI Energy is a completely independent team of energy experts that can help you take advantage of historical low energy prices. Endorsed by 140 affinity groups and serving 3,300 clients with locations across theUnited States, APPI Energy can review your current energy supply contract, at no risk or upfront cost to you. To learn more, contact 800-520-6685, info@appienergy.com, or www.appienergy.com.

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SEDA-COG Announces New TEAM Loan Program

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Lauri Moon

SEDA-COG and Immix Wireless are collaborating on a new loan program focused on telecommunications and broadband services, and companies serving Marcellus and Utica shale-related industries.  The TEAM (Telecommunications, Equity, and Marcellus) program was announced at the January 25 meeting of SEDA-COG’s Board of Directors. 

In making the announcement, James Taliaferro, Director of Business Development, Immix Wireless, said, “We are excited about partnering with SEDA-COG and playing a part in the growth of industries that will help lead Central Pennsylvania’s economic growth in the years to come.”  Immix provides wireless voice and data services to residents in 10 counties throughout Central Pennsylvania.  It is the fastest growing cell service provider in the region, and was recently awarded $36 million in federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide mobile high speed internet in Central Pennsylvania.

A total of $1.12 million in financing is available through the TEAM program, of which Immix contributed $120,000.  The balance was secured through the federal government’s State Small Business Credit Initiative, for which funds were provided through ARRA.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania received $29.2 million, which it distributed through a competitive selection process. 

Ultimately, funds were allocated to 12 organizations including SEDA-COG.  Last week the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority approved transfer of the federal funds to the partner organizations.

The Commonwealth’s receipt of funds was announced in December by Secretary C. Alan Walker, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).  DCED was represented at SEDA-COG’s Board meeting by Craig Petrasic, Assistant Director, Center for Private Financing. 

Petrasic said, “The best way to support our small business is by partnering with the private sector to maximize resources.”  Before allocating funds, DCED requested proposals from its local economic development partners.  As a result, says Petrasic, “This initiative will result in significant small business job creation across the state.

SEDA-COG’s new program joins its nine other financing programs through which loans are available to new or expanding businesses that meet eligibility requirements.  Some, such as the First Industries Agriculture Program, serve a particular niche.  Others serve a wide range of small businesses.  Loan projects generally include private bank financing, as well as a 10% equity contribution from the borrower.

“Coming up with 10% can be quite a challenge in the case of large, multi-million dollar projects,” according to John Reichard, Director, SEDA-COG Business Development Financing programs.  Such projects are often financed through SEDA-COG’s SBA (Small Business Administration) 504 program. 

“Through our new TEAM program,” said Reichard, “we can provide half the required equity injection for SBA 504 loans.  For example, if $250,000 in equity is needed for a $2.5 million project, we can use TEAM funds to reduce that to $125,000.  This will assist companies in accessing our SBA 504 program, thus making it more attractive to borrowers.” 

In addition to the 11 counties it primarily serves, SEDA-COG’s SBA 504 loans are available throughout Pennsylvania. 

“Reducing a small businesses’ equity requirement,” said Reichard, “will allow more working capital to remain in the business, helping ensure their stability and growth, and increasing the likelihood of sustainable job creation.”

Immix Wireless is a technology leader specializing in wireless products and service that improve the lives of rural residents in Central Pennsylvania. Immix Wireless offers a personal approach and is proud to employ a U.S.-based English/Spanish call center. The company operates 6 local company-owned stores and offers products through its independent Dealer/Agent program. Immix Wireless was recently awarded $36 million in Federal stimulus funding to provide 4G mobile high speed internet in Central PA. For more information visit www.immix.com.

For more information on SEDA-COG’s new TEAM loan program, contact John Reichard at 570-524-4491, ext. 7251, e-mail jreichard@seda-cog.org, or visit us on the web at www.seda-cog.org/finance

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Tax Credits Move 8 Local Companies Forward

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Lauri Moon
February 4, 2012
By ALYSSA MURPHY – amurphy@sungazette.com , Williamsport Sun-Gazette

More than $497,000 in tax credits helped eight Williamsport/Lycoming Keystone Innovation Zone companies expand product lines, buy land and hire more employees.

“(The credits are) unique and powerful for small companies,” Katie Bell, Keystone Innovation Zone coordinator said. “The thing they need most is cash in business. The company can sell the credits for cash once they get it.”

The credits from the state Department of Community and Economic Development are first used to cover owed taxes and whatever is leftover may be sold for cash. The cash is then put back into the business for things like renovations or new hires.

“There are a handful of instances where companies hired someone as a result of cash in their pocket,” Bell said. “It’s a reinvestment back into the business. It’s a tremendous benefit to a start up company.”

The eight companies that received the tax credits are Invent Yourself Rich LLC; Keystone Leather Distributors LLC; Lang’s Chocolates; Strouse Industrial, LLC; Tasseron Sensors Inc.; The R.A.T.E. Company LLC; TLC North LLC; and TQ Electronics Inc.

Tasseron Sensors Inc., 2401 Reach Road, used the tax credits to help design a new product line and buy much needed land to expand. The company is a subsidiary for heating, ventilation and air conditioning temperature sensors and related products for the North American and Canadian market.

Kevin A. Pool, national sales manager, said he came into the market wanting a product that stood apart from the competition.

“We had to make ours better and different,” he said.

The Qwik Series contains a variety of temperature sensors that are designed to save time and labor in installation. Each product uses the Qwik Connect system, which eliminates wire nuts.

The new line was developed in a year and a half, Tom J. van Dijk, managing director, said. With their original line, the company sold in bulk and only needed a few customers. The Qwik Series orders are not as large, so he said they needed to get their name out in the market, by going to shows and using social networking.

“(Keystone Innovation Zone) helped greatly with that,” van Dijk said. It helped with developing the line and getting patents and trademarks.

The money from sold credits also helped pay for land since Tasseron Sensors Inc. is outgrowing its space in the Hope Enterprises building. Since they need to stock some of the items that companies need immediately, they need room to put it.

Construction for the new building is expected in the next couple of years in Choate Circle, Montgomery.

At Keystone Leather, Dave Murdoch, co-owner, said he and the other co-owner, Dave Schall, used the money to hire more employees. The business grew from eight to 14 people. It specializes in the manufacture of leather components for the footwear and equestrian industries.

Murdoch said hiring six people does not seem like a lot, but it helps them turn orders around faster.

“(Keystone Leather) has grown nicely,” he said. “We started in 2003. We’ve been growing ever since.”

The company received tax credits for the past five years and Murdoch said he would continue to apply for as long as they were eligible.

Since 2007, Keystone Innovation Zone companies received more than $1.7 million in credits. Each year, the state makes $25 million in tax credits available to the zone companies.

Tax credit dollars are awarded based upon a company’s increase in revenue between two calendar years. Tax credit amounts are 50 percent of the increase in revenue, up to $100,000.

Extra credits are usually sold through broker firms and companies receive 85 to 90 cents on the dollar. For a business that made no money its first year and $200,000 the following year, it would receive $100,000 in credits, which could be sold for between $85,000 to $90,000 cash.

Companies also can sell the credits to an individual or a company owner who wants to use them to pay off tax credits.

“This is the lifeblood of our economy,” Bell said. “It’s a great way to encourage a start-up to stay in the business. A lot of start up companies go out of business for a variety of reasons. These credits keep them moving down the path with the vision they have. It’s one more thing the state is providing to help them move down that path. It creates jobs.”

There currently are 16 Keystone Innovation Zone companies. When the zone was created in 2005, three companies pre-qualified.

Hosted by IMC Inc., the Williamsport/Lycoming Keystone Innovation Zone is part of a statewide program encouraging innovation and business start-up growth.

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Inventor’s Club Featured in Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Lauri Moon

Inventor’s Club gets ready for year ahead!

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