Venango 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
Don Errera, Site Administrator Specialist
814-678-5050
www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
Clarion Small Business Development Center
Low and no cost support for business plan development, strategic
planning, market research, environmental compliance assistance,
import/export assistance
Cynthia Nellis
814-393-2060
www.clarion.edu/ce
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
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, including Oil Region
CareerLInk
Michele Ziezula
814-333-1286
www.nwpawib.org
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism (ORA)
New industry recruitment, international trade, industry development,
community development, facilities management, government/
legislative activities, Pennsylvania Businesses Retention and
Expansion Program (BREP)
Randy Seitz
814-677-3152
www.oilregion.org
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Assistance with candidate screening, training costs
grant funding for business accommodations
Glenn Blair, Rehabilitation Counselor
814-871-4551
www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&Q=168255
Oil Region Enterprise Zone Loan Programs
Revolving loan for smaller projects in need of gap
financing for building projects, machinery and
equipment purchases and working capital
Tracy Jamieson, Zone Coordinator
814-437-7841
Penn State Cooperative Extension Fund
Workforce and economic development
Dan Brockett, Extension Educator
814-437-7607, dlb14@psu.edu
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
Donald LeGoullon, Senior e-Business Consultant
814-677-3152, Ext. 112
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
Route 8 and 62 Revolving Loan Fund
Competitive loans for industrial, commercial and
Upper story housing projects along Route 8 and 62
corridor between Franklin and Rouseville
Glenn Cochran, Community Development Manager
814-677-3152
SEDA-COG
SBA 504 financing for for-profit businesses with net worth
less than $7.5 million and USDA Business and Industry Guaranty
Tom Rall
570-522-7225
www.seda-cog.org
Steel Valley Authority (SVA)
No cost consulting for succession planning, labor relations,
employee buyouts
BJ Lechner
814-456-6299
www.steelvalley.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
Venango Industrial Development Authority (VIDA)
Low interest financing via mortgage and tax-exempt
or taxable bonds
Randy Seitz, Executive Director
814-677-3152