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Rated one of the most business-friendly banks. † Local loan approvals. That’s a big deal for my business . Fast answers are important, and you just can’t get them through long-distance banking. The people of First Liberty Bank & Trust are ready to deliver all the sophisticated financial products your business needs – with the speed and personal attention others can’t match. We’re the local bank that knows what matters to your local business. See us soon, and let us help with your personal banking, too. Scranton Offices: Keyser Ave. 343-1211 Minooka 341-5555 Spruce St. 558-3660 Wyoming Ave. 961-2402 Visit us at the branch nearest you, or on the web at www.firstlibertybank.com Local Branches: Carbondale 282-9390 Clarks Summit 587-0575 Daleville 842-5715 Dickson City 307-7500 Jermyn 876-6500 Jessup 489-4736 Kingston 714-5700 Olyphant 489-4721 Pittston 655-7750 ATMs at all branches, Quinn’s Market in Blakely & Lackawanna Junior College † Community Bank, N. A. is rated a leading small business friendly bank by the U.S. Small Business Administration among those with assets from $1 to $10 billion. Member FDIC Wilkes-Barre’s Innovation Center incubator unveils Web site Entrepreneurs looking for the right place to build their business can find all the information they need online at the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre’s new Web site, www.icwb.biz. “The Innovation Center’s Web site will allow potential clients to learn about the various benefits to being in an incubator; including entrepreneurial resources and upcoming events,” explains John L.Augustine, facility director,“They can also view the floor plan and building layout, as well as get answers to their questions about the incubator process. And, most importantly,clients will be able to download applications and guidelines to becoming an incubator tenant.” More than an office building or a traditional business incubator, the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre is a place designed to unite energy, ideas, talent and expertise. Located in the historic Woolworth’s building on South Main Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre, close to colleges and universities — the technology incubator will provide tenants with convenient access to a well-trained workforce, as well as research and development resources. Designated a KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) area, the facility will also offer newly renovated Class A space and tax incentives to potential tenants — with 15,000 square feet of office space and 15,000 square feet of small business start-up space, along with 30,000 square feet of retail space. “The idea of placing a state-of-the-art Innovation Center in the historic Woolworth’s Building at the heart of the downtown,”explains Stephen M. Barrouk, president and CEO at the Greater Wilkes- Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, “was to highlight the area’s historic past while creating a place to foster entrepreneurship and combine that with the creative talent, energy and resources of the area. We want this facility to be a catalyst for growth and a symbol of positive change for the downtown and for the region.” “The goal of the Innovation Center @Wilkes-Barre project, managed by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber as part of the Great Valley Technology Alliance initiative, is to stimulate the local business economy and create employment opportunities.” “In fact, the incubator is designed to provide a fully-equipped, nurturing environment for technology-based businesses in their first three to five years.” “Whether you’re a student just thinking about starting their own firm or a professional with a business dream, the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre offers start-up companies a chance at success,” Barrouk says. The Chamber’s Web site, www.wilkes-barre.org, provides a wealth of information on the community and on projects like the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre. Battipaglia to speak at NEPA’s annual dinner World famous market strategist, Joseph V. Battipaglia, executive vice president and chief investment officer for Ryan, Beck & Co. LLC, will be the keynote speaker for the 39th annual dinner of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance on Thursday, September 11. With regard to the September 11 attacks, Battipaglia will discuss the effects of the war on terror from a financial perspective. He will focus on the financial health of the consumer, business, and government. Concerning the economy, Battipaglia will share his extensive financial knowledge by exploring how the U.S. economy is positioned to perform in the next 12 months and he will present forecasts of interest rates, bonds, and equities. He will also be able to elaborate on Federal Reserve policy and the value of the dollar. Featured frequently in national media, including CNBC, CNN, Fox News and the Nightly Business Report, Battipaglia speaks regularly with reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other publications where his market views are often quoted. Battipaglia is the chief investment strategist and spokesperson on investment policy for Ryan Beck& Co. LLC, a subsidiary of Bank Atlantic Bancorp (NYSE:BBX). Battipaglia is the former chairman of investment policy at Gruntal & Co. LLC, where he conducted strategic market and economic analysis in support of the firm’s retail network and institutional presence. Ryan, Beck & Co., acquired certain assets and related entities from Gruntal & Co., in 2002. Prior to joining Gruntal in 1984, he was a financial analyst for the Exxon Corporation and worked as a securities analyst at Elkins & Co., a division of Prudential Bache. Battipaglia Battipaglia graduated Phi Beta Kappa in economics from Boston College and earned his MBA at the Wharton Graduate School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. He is a trustee of the Securities Industry Institute, which is the Security Industry Association’s premier leadership and management education program. Cost for the event is $50 per person, which includes dinner entrée as well as hors d’oeuvres during a mini expo of NEPA’s programs and services prior to the dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m.The program will begin with a video presentation of NEPA’s clients and an award presentation of the first John. J. Luciani regionalism award, to be bestowed annually. Battipaglia will make his presentation following dinner.The event is being held at the new Hilton Scranton and Conference Center,Adams Avenue, Scranton. For more information, visit the NEPA Web site at www.nepa-alliance.org/annual dinner or call (570) 655-5581. 12 • NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2003
Publication examines work, play By Howard J. Grossman, AICP In a publication issued by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce as part of the Stay Invent the Future program of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the job market is portrayed for northeastern Pennsylvania.The publication of the 17- page report demonstrates both the recreational and employment opportunities and is aptly titled “Work and Play in Northeast Pa.” County by county, including Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne are defined as places we call home, and information is presented about places to play with pop up quizs shown, fast facts about the county and region, and exciting data that can be utilized as part of the regional marketing strategy that is being processed by Penns Northeast and its newly expanded activities that were announced a few months ago. Successful stories are shown about people and companies that are part of the region. The document outlines the places to learn in the region including 22 colleges and universities and 11 career schools that define the wonderful array of higher educational institutions and schools that offer a wide ranger and diversity of courses that can continue to train prospective employees who may wish to find work in the region. One of the outstanding features of the report is the listing of Web sites that can be tapped to find electronic information at a fingertip.This dimension of data support is an important and key link to the ability of local and out of town students and others to immediately secure the database that will assist them in decision making regarding the extension of their education, or the reasons why northeastern Pennsylvania is truly the place to work and play. Perhaps, however, the most critical portion of the report is the information about places to live, places to work, and the job market survey that are presented in the latter section of the document. For example, the information shows the rental comparisons between northeastern Pennsylvania and national statistics. The range of rental comparisons between the region and national statistics as a result of the year 2000 Census shows median monthly rental in the Pocono- Northeast as being $324 to $682 with the City of Pottsville being the lowest and Milford in Pike County being the highest. These data, however, are quite low across the board compared to many other larger cities such as San Francisco, Arlington,Virginia, San Diego, and New York City that range from$705 to $928. Crime rates are demonstrated with information based on an index that is a weighted average of the relative frequency of crimes per capita of five types including homicide, robbery, rape, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle theft. The crime indexes within the seven counties are all significantly below many national cities.The regional index ranges from 5 to 114, while the crime rate index for larger cities across the nation with seven examples shown as being in a range from 172 in San Francisco to 469 in Washington, D.C. A value of 100 means that the city is exactly average.A value of 200 means that the city has twice the crime rate as the average city. Source for this data is Homefair.com, February, 2003. Salary comparisons are shown with equivalent data between national cities and those in this region.The data clearly demonstrates that earning, for example, $40,000 in Washington, D.C. for a standard of living is related to a comparable standard of living in northeastern Pennsylvania of $24,341.25, with similar comparisons for other cities nationally and the region.Again, the same source is used as was the case with crime rates. Northeastern Pennsylvania is home to major incubators that grow companies and provide services to help young firms develop.Assistance is available for the sharing of conference rooms, kitchen space, copiers, and other office equipment.Young companies are limited to how long they can stay in the incubator space.The region is home to the following incubators including the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, the East Stroudsburg University Business Accelerator, the Pottsville/Schuylkill Technology Incubator, and the Scranton Enterprise Center Business Incubator. These examples will be added to with one under construction renovation in the City of Wilkes-Barre. Incubators go back many years, and the ones listed are second generation incubators that are the newest and best of the types that have been previously initiated. The Northeast Pa. Job Market Survey is summarized in the report.This data is based upon a Northeastern Career Opportunities project with selected employers across the region asked to participate in a job market survey. They were asked to identify the current and future job opportunities available to regional graduates and graduates over the next three years. Nearly four out of 10 survey respondents offer college/university internships and one out of four provide high school/vo-tech co-ops, and one out of five offer apprenticeship programs. One example of an occupation needed in the region is the nursing profession. Over the next three years, 703 registered nurses, 309 practical nurses, and 664 certified nurse assistants and personal care aides will be needed. Employers plan to hire staff over the next 12 to 18 months in at least 78 percent of the employers surveyed.The number of full time employees needed over the next 12 months were defined as 3.5 percent overall with projected demand for each county ranging from 1.1 percent to 7.7 percent. Over the next 18 to 36 months due to company growth and expansion, employers predict in the region that nearly 2 out of 3 new employees recruited will be full time. Nearly three thousand new employees will be needed across the Pocono- Northeast’s seven counties. This document demonstrates a clear message. Despite the recent economic downturn, there is growth likely to occur in the region based upon the employer survey. A Web site can be contacted to see more information about the results of the survey at www.workplaynepa.com. NOW LEASING! CREATIVE BUSINESS INTERIORS ® Steelcase Authorized Dealer 210 Division St., Kingston, PA (570) 288-7211 Fax (570) 288-8553 www.cbiltd.com Williamsport: (570) 601-3030 The Markle Building 8 West Broad Street, Hazleton, PA 18201 In the heart of downtown Hazleton... From great architecture to an ideal location, to beneficial tax advantages, the Markle Building is center city Hazleton’s premier location for business. • Newly renovated interior • A short drive from Interstates 80 and 81 • Premium Class A office, retail, restaurant and professional space • Public parking garage for 400 cars • Flexible sizes from 500 sq. ft. We are NOW OPEN and welcome the following businesses: Precision Medical Billing Solutions, Inc. • a subsidiary of BNA Financial Services Education Technology Services LLC • The Hazleton Development Company Cedar Emergency Physicians Inc. • K 12 Software • Park Inn Suites Ideal Location for Restaurants / Retail Enjoy KOEZ Tax-Free Status Call 570.579.0009 through 2013! www.marklebuilding.com %* FINANCING We’re offering lease financing as low as 0%* on select Steelcase ® , Turnstone ® , Brayton ® , Details ® , Metro ® , PolyVision and Vecta TM products on orders placed now through Dec. 31, 2003. *Financing is available for $1 buy-out leases with terms between 12 and 36 months to qualified commercial customers only. Contact us for eligibility requirements. Minimum order $5,000. Steelcase Financial Services standard credit underwriting criteria apply. A Professional Air Transportation Company experience the Tech difference Tech Aviation sets the standard when it comes to chartered air travel. • The right aircraft for your trip • Unprecedented service • Professional, career pilots • Unmatched convenience • Unlimited itineraries Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport • Avoca, PA 18641 570.655.5999 • 570.457.3400 • 1.800.448.2446 www.techaviation.com NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2003 • 13
Page 1 and 2: By Kathy Ruff T HE R EGION’ S A W
Page 3 and 4: DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 320-330 Stewar
Page 5 and 6: NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOU
Page 7 and 8: Tips for efficient debt collection
Page 11: Nation’s top specialty retailers
Page 15 and 16: Scranton Chamber of Commerce seeks
Page 17 and 18: The ‘bang’ of broadband NORTHEA
Page 21 and 22: Training driven by managers Chief e
Page 23 and 24: Congress seeks way to pay for Medic
Page 25 and 26: Technology, biological care top lis
Page 27 and 28: ‘CreateAthon’ donates talents t
Page 29 and 30: Use exit interviews to gather feedb
Page 33 and 34: Get powered up! Electric The right
Page 35 and 36: More new construction in downtown H
Page 41 and 42: Mericle hosts event at Hanover Indu
Page 43 and 44: There’s renewed interest and new
Page 45 and 46: Economic downturn spawns new busine
Page 47 and 48: Dairy plant’s business model: buy
Page 51 and 52: Now you can update your listings ea
Page 53 and 54: By participating in the Gallery of
Page 55 and 56: Continued from page 53 Internationa
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