Penn-Northwest Development Corporation 147 North Diamond Street Mercer, Pennsylvania 16137-1280 Phone (724) 662-3705 FAX (724) 662-0283

Penn-Northwest Development Corporation

Economic Development Program
Mercer County, Pennsylvania

About Penn-Northwest Development Corporation:

Penn-Northwest Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3), private, non-profit economic development corporation serving the economic development needs of Mercer County and surrounding areas. Supported by public and private memberships, Penn-Northwest is governed by a forty-eight (48) member board of directors. Penn-Northwest functions through working committees including the executive, prospect development/marketing, program review/loan, industial sites, finance, and committees established from time to time to oversee corporation business or operations. The Board is structured to integrate a vast array of public and private resources into a cohesive working group to facilitate economic development service delivery throughout the service area.

Penn-Northwest is staffed with four full-time professionals, including an executive director, assistant director, business analyst, and administrative assistant.

Economic Development Program:

The Penn-Northwest program focuses upon four primary objectives, including:

1. The attraction of new business and industrial investment to Mercer County through a proactive local and regional network of community leaders (public and private), realtors, brokers, developers, and build-to-suit specialists.
2. The retention and expansion of the existing, value added, economic base through a systematic industrial/manufacturing outreach call program.
3. The coordination and provision of loan packaging, marketing support services, and low cost financing through its Steel Valley Assistance Revolving Loan Fund, Site Facility Development Fund, Mercer County Infrastructure Development Fund, and Department of Economic Development business financing programs.
4. Conducting, supporting, and integrating programs and resources in support of the items above. Comprehensive development resources and coordination of services are available and provided in support of client needs in the context of a resource integration network throughout the service area.

Economic Development Resource Integration:

Routinely in providing economic development services Penn-Northwest networks with a wide range of service providers to implement program objectives. Penn-Northwest's resource partners and service providers include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following organizations and agencies:

We also work with other agencies as necessary to implement economic development programs and project objectives.

Representatives of the above agencies, organizations, and business sectors are routinely involved in the resource network of the corporation. All parties to the process provide direct support to economic development program implementation in Mercer County.

Strategic Planning in Mercer County

The Penn-Northwest/Mercer County economic development program is conducted within the context of a "Forum for the Future" plan of action as evidenced by the following:

1. Mercer County Strategic Plan: Adopted by the Mercer County Board of Commissioners in 1991- Blueprint for the Future.
2. Economic Development Organizations Business Plan: Adopted by the Mercer County Board of Commissioners in 1993.
3. Community Economic Recovery Plan of Action: Adopted by the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation in 1993. Market evaluation and industrial site development assessment for development opportunities throughout the Mercer County area.
4. Cooperation Initiative between the MCRPC, MCIDA, and the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation: Adopted in 1993. Co-location of functions include the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, Mercer County Industrial Development Authority, Mercer County Redevelopment Authority, Mercer County Bridge (infrastructure) Department, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, Pennsylvania Economy League, and the Penn-Northwest/Mercer County Business Assistance Center. Alternatives for implementation are currently under study by the parties to the initiative.

Document revision: Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, March 6, 1996.

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