A Newsletter from the Altoona-Blair County Development Corp.

Inside the Corridor september | 2009

Two New Manufacturers Decide on In this Issue: Blair County page 1 On July 10, 2009, Governor Edward Rendell was on > Two New Companies hand to announce that a flexible film manufacturer and for Blair County a secondary aluminum recycling operation will locate their new facilities in Blair County, bringing 185 jobs page 2 within the next three years. > PSU-Altoona Announces Diversapack, LLC, a manufacturer and printer of flex- New Railroad Degree ible films will locate in Tyrone, PA’s Jubelirer Business Park and Advanced Metals Processing, LLC, a sec- > Workshop: Funding Governor Ed Rendell welcoming Advanced Metal Processing and Diversapack to Blair County. Energy Efficiency ondary aluminum recycling business will be in the DeGol Industrial Center located in Hollidaysburg, PA. > Blair County Updates Combined, these projects represent total project costs of over $24 million; the creation of 185 new jobs; an page 3 estimated payroll impact of over $7 million and pro- > DSI & ITI Expansion jected benefits packages of over $1.9 million. Borough Council; PA Dept. of Environmental Protection; “We consider our collaborative efforts for economic > Gateway Enhancement Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development development here at ABCD Corp. an item of great pride Project Gains Support Commission. and we are excited to be part of these projects.” said page 4 Martin Marasco, President and CEO of ABCD Corp. In addition, the AMP project would not have been pos- “We are grateful to Diversapack and Advanced Metal sible without the support of the U.S. Department of > Bros. Kitchen Processing for deciding on Blair County for their manu- Agriculture’s Rural Development office. They provided Wins NEDA’s Project of facturing operations, investment and creation of new their guarantee for the financing through the lead finan- the Year Award jobs for the entire I-99 Innovation Corridor Region.” cial institution of Reliance Bank along with three other local banks combining efforts. > American Recovery & The realization of these projects would not be pos- Reinvestment Act sible without the collaborative efforts of all parties Diversapack, headquartered in Atlanta, has nine manu- including efforts from federal, state, county and facturing locations in the . The company township agencies along with the business and provides film and packaging products and solutions financial institutions includ- for Fortune 500 companies in the food and beverage, “The people of ing; Governor Ed Rendell; health and beauty, consumer products, industrial and the great State of Congressman Bill Shuster; military markets, and is the only major minority supplier Pennsylvania have Senator John Eichelberger; to the flexible packaging industry. invited us to be a Kate Fairweather of the part of their future Diversapack’s project was coordinated through ABCD BUILDING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Governor’s Action Team; Corp., and includes a financing package in excess and we thank them Representative Jerry Stern, 3900 Industrial Park Drive of $7.2 million. The package is comprised of funding for their vote of Representative Mike Fleck; through a federal program, the state of Pennsylvania, Altoona, PA 16602 confidence . . . we Blair County Commissioners; will not let you and local sources including ABCD Corp. and the (p) 814-944-6113 Snyder Township down.” Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Supervisors; Hollidaysburg www.abcdcorp.org Commission.

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Inside the Corridor – September 2009 | ABCD Corp. (814) 944-6113 | www.abcdcorp.org Developing Railroad Engineering Degree Program The Norfolk Southern Foundation has given the Pennsylvania Railroad, Altoona is world- $100,000 to Penn State Altoona to assist in the famous for its long history as a leading site for Awards & Notes development of a four-year Rail and Transit steam and diesel locomotive repair and main- BUILDING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Engineering (RTE) degree program. This tenance, and its landmark of rail engineering, Updates from Blair County. innovative Bachelor of Science program will the Horseshoe Curve.  INRange Systems, Inc. the developer include existing Penn State “I want to congratulate and supplier of EMMA®, the first and only civil engineering courses, Norfolk Southern and coupled with new custom- FDA cleared device for Remote Medication Penn State University ized courses in rail business, Management, has been named as one of the for coming together to mechanical systems, track, “2009 Red Herring 100 North American this fantastic bac- operations, communications, calaureate program in Award Winners,” honoring the year’s most and regulation. railroad engineering,” said promising private technology ventures. “On behalf of the entire Penn Congressman Bill Shuster,  Reclamere, Inc, The Data Security State Altoona community, I Ranking Republican on Experts located in Tyrone, PA was awarded express heartfelt apprecia- Chancellor Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry (center) and State Representative the Subcommittee on Rick Geist (right) show off commemorative railroad ties bestowed upon Entrex PCI’s 4th Top Growth Company in tion to Norfolk Southern for them by Rudy Husband (left) of Norfolk Southern Railroads in the House of the vital role it is playing in Representatives. State Rep. North America for 2008. the creation of this exciting academic initiative,” Rick Geist added, “As a proponent of the Rail  New Pig Corp., located in Tipton, said Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor of and Transit Engineering degree program for PA and inventor of the first contained Penn State Altoona. the past ten years, this truly is a dream come true.” absorbent, has been named the officially “There are going to be opportunities in the rail licensed Heavy Duty Wipers and Sorbents industries that people haven’t seen,” Norfolk Another component of the Penn State RTE of NASCAR. spokesman Rudy Husband said. “The Penn program is the Altoona Railroader’s Memorial State Altoona effort is to fill operational talent Museum. The museum has close relationship  Link Computer Corporation, located positions that will be available within the next with Norfolk Southern and has offered the in Bellwood, PA, will be hosting the 12th seven years.” Penn State program space in a new round- Annual Link-Up Technology Conference house planned for the museum property. Penn State Altoona is an ideal site for the on October 14, 2009. new program, given its geographic location Pending approval by Penn State University’s  General Cable, who has a manufac- to Norfolk Southern’s primary locomotive faculty senate and administration, classes will maintenance facility and the railroad’s main begin at Penn State Altoona in the fall of 2010. turing facility in Altoona, PA, has been artery between the Chicago and New York Norfolk Southern will provide the program with named as a Fortune 500 company. markets. Founded as a rail center in 1849 by technical support and assistance.

Funding Energy Efficiency Workshop For the second consecutive year, the Blair County Chamber WTAJ Your News Leader will serve as Master of Ceremonies. and the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation will There will also be a panel discussion from energy providers collaborate on an Energy Summit. This year’s event will be and those intimately involved with energy audits. held on Wednesday, October 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 Once again, this Summit format allows for a small number a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park in Altoona. The of display tables to be made available to any business that program is geared to the aspect of energy audits, the fund- would like access to attendees. The cost to reserve a display ing available to conduct those audits as well as the grants table is $200 for Chamber members and $300 for non- and resources that can be accessed to help pay for the members. upgrades proposed. The cost to attend the Summit is $30 for Chamber members The title of the October 7th event is “Funding Energy and $40 for non-members. The cost includes a Breakfast Funding Energy Efficiency: A Summit for Businesses, Non-Profits, Efficiency Workshop buffet beginning at 7:15 a.m. To register, call The Chamber at Government Agencies and Institutions.” The agenda  943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com. October 7, 2009 includes a variety speakers, among those confirmed  8:00 am - 11:45 am are: Deputy Secretary John Sider from the Pennsylvania  The Casino at Department of Community & Economic Development; Lakemont Bernard Linn, Jr. from the US Department of Agriculture;  $30/chamber members and Acting Deputy Secretary Denise Brinley from the PA $40/non-members Department of Environmental Protection. John Clay of

2 Inside the Corridor | www.abcdcorp.org Attendees at last years Energy Workshop. Country’s Largest Corrections Industry Software Company Expands in Altoona Digital Solutions and Inmate Telephone, Inc. (DSI/ITI) in coopera- tion with the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation and the Altoona-Blair County Chamber of Commerce recently held their official Ribbon Cutting ceremony for their newly renovated facilities in the Commerce Park Building located at 5000 Sixth Avenue in Altoona. Interior Hallway Shot of New DSI/ITI Building DSI/ITI were both founded in 1984 and are now owned and operated by Mr. Anthony Bambocci and Mr. James Faith. The companies are dedi- from a small staff of less than 20 workers to a company with more 130 cated to the development of computer software applications that auto- people now employed at the firm. mate the corrections industry. They are the country’s largest provider According to company President Anthony Bambocci, “DSI and ITI had of software solutions for this industry, focusing on the distinct needs of grown to the point that we could no longer effectively meet all of our county jails, prisons, adult probation and customers’ needs due to facility limitations. Completion of the project “Successful parole and juvenile detention centers. companies like DSI will enable DSI and ITI to better serve our clients while providing our and ITI demonstrate Over 25 years since the companies began, employees with adequate workspace to operate more efficiently.” they now contract with over 400 corrections that opportunities Martin J. Marasco, President & CEO of ABCD Corp. stated, “Successful agencies spanning more than 35 states. exist here in Altoona companies like DSI and ITI demonstrate that opportunities exist here Over the past ten years, DSI/ITI have and the Central PA in Altoona and the Central Pennsylvania Region for job opportunities grown from a provider servicing primarily Region for job in various technology fields.” Chamber Executive Director Joe Hurd the Mid-Atlantic Region to a national figure opportunities in remarked, “Entrepreneurs like Tony Bambocci and Jim Faith are to be in the corrections software development various technology commended for having the vision to see where growth opportunities industry. As a result of continued customer fields.” exist and the drive to make their dreams a reality.” development and retention, DSI/ITI out- grew their prior location and needed addi- tional space to meet their growing customer demands. The project involved the acquisition and renovation of the Commerce Park property in the fall of 2008. The $3.1 million project was financed by First Commonwealth Bank, ABCD Corp., Southern Alleghenies, and company equity. Completion of the project enabled DSI and ITI to expand from their previous building into a facility with more than 65,000 square feet of space. Over the past ten years, DSI and ITI have grown

Partnership Formed to Assist Altoona’s Gateway Enhancement A local partnership has formed and tion of Altoona. According to partnership Chairman Ron McConnell, is working with the City of Altoona “We are well on our way to that coordinated effort. Many ideas are to enhance a key section of the city on the table, many strategies are being discussed, and real prog- to reduce drugs and crime; improve ress is being made.” housing, neighborhood aesthetics and The focus will be on the Gateway project, from Chestnut to 21st activities, and spur economic develop- Avenue between 3rd and 5th streets, looking to improve the 4th ment. Street corridor by helping homeowners with city code violations, The partnership includes the City tearing down blight and removing drugs and crime, and improving of Altoona, Operation Our Town, sidewalks and curbs and adding trees. Altoona Regional Health System, the The partnership has raised $36,000 to help the city get started, with sig- Nehemiah Project of the Pleasant nificant contributions from Operation Our Town and the Greater Altoona Valley Assembly of God Church, Altoona Blair County Development Economic Development Corporation. Corporation, Wright Elementary School, Greater Altoona Redevelopment Authority, Blair County Community Action Agency, Penn State Altoona, local business leaders and volunteers, and the offices of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, state Sen. John Eichelberger and state Rep. Rick Geist. The purpose of the partnership is to help the City of Altoona facili- tate a coordinated long-term vision and action strategy for this sec-

3 Inside the Corridor | www.abcdcorp.org NEDA’s Project of the Year Awarded to New Manufactures continued from page 1 the Sheetz Bros. Kitchen Project “The people of the great State of Pennsylvania have The Northeastern Economic invited us to be a part of Developers Association (NEDA) their future and we thank has announced the very best them for their vote of con- economic development achieve- fidence and can assure ments in its region covering everyone, especially a the eleven Northeastern States great friend of the work- and Washington, DC for 2009. ing man Governor Ed NEDA’s Project of the Year is Rendell, we will not let you being presented to the Altoona- down.” said Ambassador Blair County Development Andrew Young, Diversapack The Sheetz Bros. Kitchen facility in the Walter Business Park – Claysburg, PA Corporation (ABCD Corp.) for Ownership Group. Gov. Rendell at ABCD Corp. for Press Event the Sheetz Bros. Kitchen Project. The award will be presented at the NEDA Annual Advanced Metal Processing specializes in the supply of Conference on Monday, September 21 in Philadelphia, PA. high quality scrap metal to the secondary Industry. The The Sheetz Bros. Kitchen was officially opened at the Walter Business Park in Claysburg, company’s new Hollidaysburg facility will use a revolution- PA on July 14, 2008. The project represents a $50 million investment for a 140,000 ary technology to transform heavily coated scrap metal square foot state-of-the-art food production facility that will represent 450 new jobs for the into pure clean aluminum. The transformed scrap metal, region when fully staffed. These positions will contribute an estimated payroll impact of which would otherwise be destined for developing nations $12.5 million and a benefits package projected at $6.5 million. The project was a collab- or U.S. landfills, can then be melted to aluminum sows or orative team effort orchestrated by the staff at ABCD Corp. to include the Sheetz Family, ingots to be resold in the United States. the Governor’s Action Team, federal, state and local elected officials, PNC bank and other The company’s project was also coordinated through financial partners. Further setting this project apart from the rest was the forward thinking ABCD Corp., and includes a financing package of over by ABCD Corp. during the construction of the Sheetz Distribution Center in the same park $16.7 million. Their package is comprised of funding years earlier to prepare for the opportunity, as well as the creation of an innovative syn- through a federal program including USDA’s Business thetic lease implemented for this project. and Industry Guarantee to the private bank financing, the “The Sheetz Bros. Kitchen is the type of project that we can all appreciate, the entry was state of Pennsylvania and local sources including ABCD outstanding.” said Michael Ross, NEDA Awards Chair “It is with great pride that we honor Corp.. The lead financing is provided through Reliance ABCD Corp. for their many accomplishments.” Bank of $8,212,000 in conjunction with the USDA Business & Industry Guarantee. “We thank NEDA for this great honor. This project showcases ABCD Corp.’s fundamentals of collaborative public and private partnerships that are a necessity in making economic “We are very happy to be locating our business in development projects a success here in Blair County and the I-99 Corridor.” said Marty Hollidaysburg,” said Keith Martin, president and CEO of Marasco, President and CEO of ABCD Corp. “We especially would like to thank the Advanced Metal Processing-PA. “Between Blair County’s Sheetz Family for their continued commitment to Blair County and its residents.” hard-working and skilled workforce and the access pro- vided by the Interstate 99, we expect to have a long and lasting relationship in this area.”

Blair County General Authority Approved as Coordinator & Issuer for Recovery Zone Bonds & Loans On August, 18, 2009, the Blair County Commissioners adopted two new ing, entertainment, and warehousing facilities. resolutions (1) authorize the designation of the entire County of Blair as a The Economic Development Bond Fund pro- Recovery Zone, and (2) designate the Blair County General Authority as the vides for the financing of public type projects, issuer and coordinator for the Recovery Zone Bonds and Loans within the i.e. storm water access improvements. These designated Recovery Zone area. are taxable bonds that can be subsidized to up to 45% of the interest rate by the federal gov- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, through the Internal ernment. That subsidy is then returned to the Revenue Code, provides the ability to secure funds in what is referred issuer of the bond/mortgage. to as Recovery Zones and allows for an allocation to the Recovery Zone for a Recover Zone Economic Development Bond Fund (RZEDF) and a Currently, the staff of ABCD Corp. are working Recovery Zone Facility Bond Program (RZFBP). The allocation for Blair to compile projects that may be able to benefit from the newly designated County is $3,291,000 for the RZEDBF, and $4,937,000 under the RZFBP. Recovery Zone of Blair County and the corresponding bond and loand pro- grams. If you have a project that you would like considered, please contact The Recovery Zone Facility Bonds are tax exempt bonds and/or mortgages the offices of ABCD Corp. at 814-944-6113. that may be used to finance private activity projects within a designated Recovery Zone. This could include retail, commercial, office, manufactur-

4 Inside the Corridor | www.abcdcorp.org