Clarion County
Economic development services from
more than 20 different organizations.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Funding assistance for small to medium manufacturing and
tech-based companies to develop new products, processes
Jim Kosco, Director of R&D
814-898-6650
www.cnp.benfranklin.org
CareerLink
Low and no-cost employment services including online
database, job postings, labor law compliance, training funds
Sam Wagner, Site Administrator Specialist
814-223-1550
www.clarioncareerlink.org
Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC)
Access to entrepreneurial, land/building, technology, capital,
workforce resources for cash importing businesses
Brad Ehrhart, Executive Director
814-226-9045
www.callclarionpa.com
Clarion University-Biotechnology Business Development Center
Research in environmental science and related fields and contact for
Keystone Innovation Zone and technology incubator projects
814-393-2184
rhuemmrich@clarion.edu
Clarion University Department of Continuing Education
Training programs in safety, management, succession planning
as well as applications for WEDnet and CJT grants
Juanice Vega, MBA
814-393-2227
www.clarion.edu/ce
Clarion University Small Business Development Center
Low and no cost support for business plan development, strategic
planning, market research, environmental compliance assistance,
import/export assistance
Malinda Henry
814-393-2060
www.clarion.edu/sbdc
Clarion/Venango Educational Resource Alliance
Postsecondary education and employment training
for citizens of Clarion and Venango counties
Lance Hummer, Executive Director
814-677-4427
www.cvera.com
eBizITPA
Engineering apprentice grants and IT KickStart grants
to aid manufacturers in compliance with RoHS requirements
Mary Bula, Outreach Specialist
814-898-6540
www.ebizitpa.org
Genesis Revolving Loan Fund
Low interest loans up to $10,000 for equipment
for working capital
Brad Ehrhart
814-226-9045
Governor's Action Team (GAT)
Grants and low interest loans for large-scale
Business expansion or relocation
Tom Ehrensberger, Regional Director
814-871-4769
www.newpa.com
Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC)
Low to no cost assistance to small manufacturing companies for
training, business growth services, operational assessments,
product development
Amy Weller, District Manager
724-662-3705, Ext. 219
www.nwirc.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission
Low to no cost services for international marketing,
government contracting, financial programs
Denise McCloskey, Executive Director
814-677-4800
www.nwcommission.org
Northwest Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board (NWPAWIB)
Funding source for workforce training initiatives
Michele Ziezula
814-333-1286
www.nwpawib.org
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Assistance with candidate screening, training costs
grant funding for business accommodations
Gray Smith, Rehabilitation Counselor
814-223-1500
www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&Q=168255
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP)
Free assistance for technology based issues with environment,
food industry, forest products, IT, e-business, NASA Technology
transfer, occupational health and safety, product development,
statistical data
Jay Schenck, Senior Technical Specialist
814-898-6046
www.penntap.psu.edu
Plastics Technology Center (PTC)
Low cost design services for small manufacturing
including material selection, manufacturing
processes, 3D computer models
Thomas Moyak, Project Engineer
814-452-1924
www.ptdc01.bd.psu.edu
SBA 504 Loan Program - ABCD Corporation
Financing for for-profit businesses with net worth
less than $7.5 million
Barry Surma, Director of Finance and Development Programs
814-944-6113, barrys@abcdcorp.org
www.abcdcorp.org
Technology Council of Northwest PA
Trade association focused on deployment and use of
technology in business
Perry Wood, Chief Executive Officer
814-451-1172
www.techcouncilnwpa.org
Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnet)
Employee training grants for manufacturing and technology based companies
Juanice Vega, Director of Continuing Education
814-393-2227
www.wednetpa.com
Other Partners
Utility companies/authorities, local/state/federal elected officials,
banks/financial institutions/venture capitalists