Business Resources for Manufacturers Links

Baldrige National Quality Program
This site provides information on Malcolm Baldrige Criteria, as well as an online "e-Baldrige Self-Assessment and Action Planning" tool.

Ben Franklin Technology PArtners
Provides entrepreneurial support and financial assistance to technology firms and early-stage companies for product and process development and commercialization.

Businessgrower.com
Developed by the Central Pennsylvania Entrepreneurial Assistance Network, businessgrower.com allows visitors to learn about organizations and private companies offering to provide free or low-cost business services.

Central Northern PA Ben Franklin Technology Center
Provides entrepreneurial support and financial assistance to technology firms and early-stage companies for product and process development and commercialization.

Focus Central Pennsylvania
A regional marketing alliance committed to promoting new corporate investment in Central Pennsylvania, which results in the growth and creation of family sustaining jobs.

InternsPlus
This internship network brings organizations offering learning experiences together with college and university students in the central Pennsylvania region.

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Founded to advance a pro-growth, pro-manufacturing policy agenda and to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment contributing to economic growth.

National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM)
Established to increase productivity of all US manufacturers by building a network of manufacturers, universities and national laboratories to sustain economic growth.

National Institute of Standards & Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP)
MEP centers throughout the nation can assist manufacturers with productivity, competitiveness, and profits.  Visit this site to find your local MEP, learn about "hot manufacturing topics" as well as other resources available to help manufacturers.  The IMC is part of the Mid-Pennsylvania MEP.

PA Manufacturer Magazine
Published in cooperation with Pennsylvania's seven Industrial Resource Centers three times annually, PA Manufacturer explores trends and issues impacting small to medium-sized manufacturers across the Commonwealth. Each issue profiles the people and companies that have become the backbone of the Commonwealth's most important industry. The magazine offers practical management advice and case studies of innovation from the shop floor to the back office.

Pennsylvania Business Central
Pennsylvania Business Central is a bi-weekly business newspaper that informs and serves the business community in central and western Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry
Provides PA businesses with access to comprehensive expertise on business related topics or regulatory issues.

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
PMA serves Pennsylvania workers and employers by defending free enterprise and fighting for lower taxes, reasonable regulation, and sensible labor law. PMA is dedicated to promoting the general prosperity of the commonwealth and her citizens by improving the competitiveness of Pennsylvania's business climate.

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
Provides management consulting, training and information for small businesses and prospective entrepreneurs.

Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program
PENNTAP helps PA businesses improve their competitiveness by providing free technical assistance and information to help resolve specific technical issues that can be addressed in a limited amount of time.

SEDA-Council of Governments
SEDA-COG is a regional development organization providing services to Central PA counties, communities, businesses, institutions and residents.

SEDA-COG Export Development Program  
This program serves the businesses and communities of Central PA by encouraging and facilitating economic development through growth in world trade.

SEDA-COG Procurement Program
This program helps businesses explore markets in government procurement.

Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission
Serves Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties to develop and implement programs that help businesses improve and expand markets.

Team Pennsylvania
Works to make PA the national leader in job growth and serves as a middleman to retain and create jobs through public and private partnerships.