SPRING 2016 Issue 3

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SPRING 2016 Issue 3

Spring 2016

Vol. 12

A partnership among Keystone College, King’s College, Lackawanna College, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, The Issue 3 Commonwealth Medical College, University of Scranton, and Wilkes University

2016 Indicators Recap IN THIS ISSUE The 2016 Indicators, held on May PA does not fare well when 12th at Mohegan Sun Pocono marked compared to other states but that Contents the ten-year anniversary with the most students and community 2016 Indicators Recap ...... 1 first report publishing and event held members have a better Quarterly Economy Tracker ... 2 in 2006 discussing visions and goals understanding of personal finance as well as task force formation. as education level or work Spring 2016 Interns ...... 2 experience increases. There is a Spring 2016 Poll ...... 2 Data shows that since 2012, the strong desire for personal finance Living Wage Study ...... 2 population in both counties has classes as a core requirement declined slightly, yet the diversity among students in high school. Wilkes-Barre Connect ...... 2 continues to increase. Task Force Linkages ...... 2 Education & Workforce Jobs & Economy Development Who We Are ...... 2 Unemployment in both counties is The four year high school Client List ...... 2 declining as the labor force is graduation rate has trended growing and wages are increasing. downward in both counties over Advisory Board...... 2 There are many positive signs of the past several years, while the

growth after years of a sluggish statewide rate has increased. recovery, however poverty remains a However, high school dropouts have also worked to identify potential challenge to the region. dropped in both counties since the resources and solutions to mitigate The Jobs, Economy, and Economic 2011-2012 school year. disparities. The research showed that poverty and income status have Development Task Force examined The Education and Workforce an impact on educational success, and compared relevant financial Development Task Force conducted although not as much as other literacy levels among various groups research on the impact of socioeconomic indicators. Family, within the region and externally. The socioeconomic status and academic environmental, and psychological report also evaluated the impact of performance and examined regional factors are key to strong academic financial literacy on the region’s metrics and issues. The task force economy. The findings showed that achievement. These factors and SPRING 2016 | 2

many more are strong indicators of decreased slightly over the last year half from 2013 to 2014 to the lowest student performance. for which data was available. of all years analyzed. There is a greater police presence on both Infrastructure Indicators The Health and Healthcare Task counties, though they have fewer The region has seen declines in daily Force studied opioid issues, their officers per capita than the traffic counts and passenger prevalence, and associated Commonwealth as a whole. vehicles. There has challenges within Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The study The Public Safety Task Force, with been an increase in heavy truck provides a snapshot of the region’s registrations, and 44 percent of area the joint collaboration of co-chairs opioid challenges including resource Congressman Lou Barletta and State bridges are structurally deficient or limitations and policy implications. functionally obsolete. Senator John Yudichak, opened Housing SHINE in Luzerne County in 2015 The Planning, Land use, There has been an increase in following research papers on Transportation, & Infrastructure Task construction in 2014, especially “Deterring Successful Gang Force worked to develop four toolkits within Lackawanna County. The Recruitment”. Currently established discussing general practices for local home sales volume has increased in eight school districts, Luzerne government, green building, since the recession and the median SHINE has had a successful first year. recycling, and sustainable sale price has seen some recovery. transportation. The toolkits provide Energy The Housing Task Force prepared a In 2015, the Energy Task Force began definitions, descriptions, case regional home buyer and owner studies, policy recommendations, its work to unify the industry and education guide as well as updated energy sectors of Lackawanna and implementation steps, and and revised the NEPA Housing resources. Luzerne County to form a cohesive website. and feasible energy model. Health and Healthcare Public Safety Throughout the year, the task force The death rate of cancer and heart Northeastern Pennsylvania remains has worked with higher education disease have trended downward in a safe area for a region with its size institutions as well as government the two counties. Compared with the and socioeconomic characteristics. officials to implement next steps in commonwealth, the region has high The number of violent crimes in both the process. rates of smoking, excessive drinking, counties has trended downward over and a lack of exercise. The number of the last several years. The number of uninsured residents has also murders reported fell by more than

Quarterly Economy Tracker Spring 2016

The spring 2016 QET discusses the impact of manufacturing on the regional economy and job forecasts for the next 10 years. Additionally, it discusses original Institute research that shows how local economic developers can work as a unit to attract new industry to the area and change the forecasted decrease in manufacturing employment in some sectors. This edition includes updated cost of living data and the cost of housing, specifically disproportionate increases in rent and tax burden on owners.

Rental Housing Costs Average monthly rents in both counties rose to new highs in 2014. Even after accounting for inflation, rents in Luzerne County rose by nearly eight percent from 2010 to 2014.

Cost of Living Index The urban area with the highest cost of living index was Manhattan, NY while the lowest was McAllen, TX. Specific components of the index were higher regionally such as utilities, which was over 116 percent of the national index in both counties. In housing, however, Scranton scored well below the national average while Wilkes-Barre was slightly higher.

To view the full Spring 2016 Quarterly Economic Tracker, visit this link.

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Spring 2016 Interns

The Institute would like to congratulate our spring interns on the successful completion of their internships. During the semester, eight students from five different schools worked hard on a variety of projects. Congratulations and good luck!

King’s College – Sarah Demace

Marywood University – Duncan Mayer

Misericordia University – Nathanael Brague

University of Scranton – Erin McCormick, Matthew Salzarulo

Wilkes University – Catherine Conte, Kavan Rai, Beth Gilbert

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We would also like to welcome our summer interns:

Misericordia University – Evan Bush, Matthew Klassner

Wilkes University – Grace Valenzano

The Institute offers credited internships to students of the member institutions. Non-credit internships are also available to students outside our member schools (based on availability). If you are interested in the internship program, please contact Nimita Patel at The Institute for eligibility criteria at [email protected] or via phone at 570-408-9850 or visit our Student Internships page.

Spring 2016 Poll: Post-Graduation Plans

The spring 2016 poll analyzes the There were over 2,000 students who  Students generally feel that views and experiences of college responded to this survey from The their college education has students of Northeastern Institute’s ten member schools. prepared them well for their Pennsylvania. The Institute works future careers. with its partner institutions to deploy The findings suggest:  A large portion of students the surveys with topics covering  Students are highly do not intend to seek work in class year, major, graduate school interested in internships; a N plans, internship experience, views majority of respondents E toward finding a job after graduation stated that they have either P and views toward staying in already completed an A

Northeastern Pennsylvania after internship or plan to before graduation. graduation This  A majority of students is believe that a graduate the school education is very sec important in today’s ond annual post-graduation plan poll economy. Most students analyzing college students in plan to attend graduate or Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. professional school. To read past reports and for future  Students have moderate reports, please access our website at levels of job search anxiety this link. SPRING 2016 | 4

Living Wage Study The Institute, in partnership with Education for Justice and the Office of Community and Government Relations at the University of Scranton and additional collaboration from Campus Ministries’ Center for Service and Social Justice and the Department of Community prepared

the Living Wage Study. The study wages. The findings of the analysis show significantly below the living wage provides a careful analysis including that the federal minimum wage of $7.25 threshold. Consequently, there are the costs involved in meeting basic does not meet the living wage standard many families in NEPA who fall in human needs such as food, for any of the family compositions this gap of having too much income childcare, medical care, housing, (ranging from single parent to two to qualify for assistance but too little transportation, taxes, and other working adults) even when all adults in to achieve economic security. The expenses. the household are working full-time. full report found here provides further data and analysis, advocacy Throughout the report, you will find There are many resources available to and information resources, and accounts of leaders of agencies residents of the region who have income additional community leader input throughout the region detailing the challenges. However, the income and profiles. daily struggles of their clients. The eligibility guidelines for many assistance report also includes programs are often recommendations to promote fair Wilkes-Barre Connect Wilkes-Barre Connect is an Business Alliance, the Small Business To learn more about Wilkes-Barre entrepreneurial ecosystem to spur Development Center, Diamond City Connect, please visit their website at business and job creation, retention, Partnership, Ben Franklin connect.wilkes-barre.org. and expansion and business Partnership, and administrative attraction to the city of Wilkes- support from The Institute, WB Barre. This will be achieved through Connect will help grow your a comprehensive protocol of support business in Northeastern services, including mentoring, Pennsylvania. training, networking, technical assistance, and access to capital, There are five steps in the process: facilities, and other resources. 1) Intake form The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber 2) Preliminary consultation of Business & Industry, partnering 3) Establish strategy with the Allan P. Kirby Center for 4) Make referral Free Enterprise and 5) Perform touch points Entrepreneurship, the Family SPRING 2016 | 5

Task Force Linkages Throughout the research and development of the task force reports, it came to light that there are many significant relationships between each of the task forces from cause and effects to interdependence on major community issue. The graphic detailing these linkage is shown to the right.

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Who We Are

The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development at Wilkes University (The Institute) provides a full range of customized and objective economic and demographic research services to businesses, government entities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. The Institute’s extensive knowledge of regional economics and economic development, combined with a rigorous and strategic approach to research, have generated a wide range of experience conducting projects such as economic development strategies; economic impact studies; surveys and assessments; grant and program evaluation, market and feasibility analyses; industry and workforce studies; and economic and demographic profiles. The Institute supports the business community, government, and regional economic development programs by producing signature economic reports as well as providing data and analysis. The Institute focuses on providing its clients with credible and objective research to help them make informed and strategic decisions. The Institute staff has 35 years of combined experience in regional economic development. The organization’s distinctive history and structure combines practical applications with the credibility and academic expertise of a higher education institution with an applied research focus. The organization is structured as a research institute affiliated with 10 higher education institutions in northeastern Pennsylvania. Over the past 11 years, The Institute has emerged as a nationally-scoped research center having served clients in several states. The fees earned from client work help to support the community based research The Institute produces on an annual basis. The Indicators, task force research, Quarterly Economy Tracker, and the polling program are the primary initiatives that comprise the community based research efforts. Further, funds help to support student internships at The Institute.

If you or your firm is interested in becoming our next client, please contact us at [email protected]. SPRING 2016 | 6

Did you know The Institute provides services to all types of clients? projects for all types of clients? Client List Arts & Culture Government Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau Appalachian Regional Commission Luzerne County Cultural Council Borough of Factoryville

City of Nanticoke Corporate City of Scranton Borton Lawson Civic Research Alliance Facility Design & Development, Ltd. Columbia & Montour Counties Live Nation Lackawanna County Williams—Transcontinental Pipeline Company, LLC Local Government Commission Ufberg Law Luzerne County Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Luzerne County Municipal Cooperation Commission Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wilkes-Barre City

Wyoming County Economic Development

Carbon County Chamber and Economic Development Health & Healthcare Corp. Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. Moses Taylor Hospital Forum for Pennsylvania’s Heartland Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Great Valley Technology Alliance

Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry Non-Profit Organization South Valley Partnership Arbor Housing & Development Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce Carbondale YMCA

Central Susquehanna Community Foundation Education & Workforce Development Commission on Equal Opportunity Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Jewish Community Center King’s College Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation Lackawanna County Workforce Investment Board Municipal Cooperation Commission Lehigh Carbon Community College SHINE Nicholson Heritage Association Luzerne County Community College Pennsylvania Economy League Luzerne County Head Start United Way of Monroe County Luzerne Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board United Way of Susquehanna County The Commonwealth Medical College United Way Wyoming Valley The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

University of Scranton

Wall Street West/WIRED Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance Wilkes University

The Institute prepares the following products:

Market and Feasibility Studies Economic and Demographic Profiles Indicators – Indexes Policy Analysis Community Health Assessments Grant and Program Evaluation Support Housing Studies Research Validation and Peer Review Economic Development Strategies Site Selection Research Economic and Tax Impact Studies Arts & Culture Studies Industry Studies Tourism Strategic Plans Workforce Studies Comprehensive Plans Education Studies Asset Maps

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Advisory Board Locations in:

Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA Patrick Leahy, Ed. D. Frank Joanlanne William P. Montague Mailing Address: Chairman Vice-Chairman Founder Wilkes University Borton Lawson Montague Family Foundation

85 South Main Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Heather Acker—Gentex Corporation Congressman Lou Barletta Thomas Botzman, Ph.D.—Misericordia University Terry Casey—Chancellor Financial Group Cornelio Catena—Commonwealth Health Systems John Cefaly—Cushman & Wakefield David Coppola, Ph.D.—Keystone College Thomas Curra—WVIA Public Media Charles Davis, Ph.D.—Penn State University, Wilkes-Barre Robert Durkin—Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Pat Fricchione—Simplex Homes, Inc. Charles Kasko—Wyoming Valley Motors Thomas E. Lawson—Borton-Lawson Thomas Leary—Luzerne County Community College Robert Luciani—Prudential Retirement Services Mary Ellen Monacelli—Sanofi Pasteur Anne Munley, IHM, Ph.D.—Marywood University Kevin Quinn, S.J.—University of Scranton Thomas Romanowski—GreenSpace Properties, LLC Eugene Roth—Rosenn, Jenkins, & Greenwald John J. Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D.—King’s College Steven Scheinman, MD—The Commonwealth Medical College Conrad Schintz—Geisinger Health System Bill Sordoni, Sordoni Construction Matthew Sordoni—Upland Corporation Marleen Troy, Ph.D., — Wilkes University Staff: Wico van Genderen—Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry Teri Ooms – Executive Director Lucyann Vierling—Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance [email protected] Mark Volk —Lackawanna College John P. Wiercinski—Geisinger Health System Andrew Chew – Research Analyst John T. Yudichak—Pennsylvania State Senate [email protected] William B. Sordoni—Emeritus, Founding Member & Officer—Sordoni Nimita Patel – Research Assistant Construction [email protected]

The opinions or findings in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the sponsoring organization, individuals, or institutions, their officers or boards, or The Institute’s Advisory Board.