• Sterling Business Park construction on schedule
Winter brings the first lull in construction at Sterling Business Park.  Phase 1 site development is on schedule and will eventually result in 73 of the park’s 252 acres being ready for sale later this year.  Interior roads on the east side of SR 191 have been excavated and graded, and the base coat of paving is 90% complete.   The sewer lines are complete and the water lines have been laid from the well head to the water tanks on the west side of SR 196.  The potable and non-potable water tanks have been constructed and work continues on the pump house.
Sedimentation basins for Phase 1 are also complete.  Last Fall, three homeowners adjacent to the park expressed concern that construction of one of the basins affected their drinking water. We are working with our neighbors to ensure they have clean water.  While construction is underway, strict adherence to engineering standards and practices are being implemented and best management practices are in place and have been approved by the Wayne Conservation District and PA DEP.
 Finally, construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is underway, including site clearing for the processing building.  Work will continue throughout winter on the WWTP and clearing the right-of-way for our utilities.  PPL will move its electric line off SR 191 and through the park to provide service to the parcels and remove overhead lines from the park’s entrance.
 Construction will pick-up in Spring.  We will also work on aspects of marketing and sales, e.g., covenants and final subdivision approval.  Our highway improvement work has not started – we will continue to pursue additional funding to realign SR 3004 (Moon Road) and improve safety at the business park’s entrance.
 WEDCO closed on a $2 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development loan (PIDA) on December 31, 2008.  Our thanks to staff and counsel at PIDA and Wayne Bank for helping us obtain this low-interest financing for Phase 1 development.
• Tennessee Gas Pipeline VP to speak at annual dinner
WEDCO’s Annual Meeting & Dinner is scheduled for April 16 at Bryn Mawr Conference Center, Honesdale.  Our speaker will be Stanley G. Chapman, III, Vice President – Marketing, Development, and Asset Optimization, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company.   Mr. Chapman is responsible for the marketing of all existing storage and transportation capacity, the development of new storage and pipeline infrastructure to meet market growth, the attachment of incremental supply volumes, and various optimization activities surrounding Tennessee’s assets.  We look forward to Mr. Chapman’s comments, particularly relating to the possible expansion of Tennessee’s line in Wayne County and the natural gas industry as a whole.
 Reservations for the Dinner are required.  For more information, please contact our office at (570)253-5334.
• Wecome new members
WEDCO Board of Directors would like to welcome new members:   Ambassador Abstract Co., Devereux Pocono Center, Jennings Jewelers & Photo Shop, Jim Bond Plumbing & Heating, Lake Country Builders, River Rock Communications, Route 6 Development LLC,  Roy W. Hart Insurance Agency, St. Clair Graphics, Inc., Seal-It, and Stone Silo Foods, Inc.
Any business or individual interested in becoming a member may contact our office at (570)253-5334.
• Business outreach calls
Since our last update, WEDCO staff made a PA Business and Expansion call on Augello Excavating, Inc., B.D. Chapman Insurance Agency, Inc., Beach Lake Sprinkler Corp., Bold Gold Media Group, Citizens Savings Bank, David J. Robinson State Farm Insurance, Highlights for Children, Inc., Himalayan Institute, Iceworks, Supreme Zippers, and John Bonham Road Supply, Inc.
Also Keystone Consulting & Associates, L.H. Reed & Sons, Inc., Lackawanna College, Lake County Builders, Inc., Leeward Construction, Inc., Mallard Meadows Residential Healthcare Center, ReMax Wayne, Rent-E-Quip, Inc., Roche Supply, Inc., The Grainless Baker, Inc., The Honesdale National Bank, Vector Security, Wayne Transportation System, Wayne Woodlands Manor, and The Wilshinsky Group at Smith Barney.  We thank these businesses for their input.
• Employment news
Data from the PA Dept. of Labor & Industry shows that Wayne County had 800 more individuals in our Civilian Labor Force in December 08 compared to December 07, and 300 more were employed.  Our unemployment rate of 6.4% is up from last year, but was again the lowest in the region. 
• Workforce Initiative gains momentum
  WEDCO continues to have a prominent role in Workforce Wayne – both as the fiscal agent for grants and member of the Action Committee.  However, the administration of the project has shifted to WW’s new Director, Jennifer Porter, and Workforce Coordinator, Lyndsay Birmelin. The staff’s current focus is on sustainability, outreach, and utilizing additional Wall Street West grant funds to form a Pike/Wayne Business Partnership.  Key activities include:
•  Pursuing nonprofit incorporation and developing a sustainability business plan, which will include seeking foundation support, grants, and EITC tax credit donations, as well as website fees.
•  Community outreach campaign (print, radio, events) regarding jobs and skills of the 21st century.
• Website development, which will feature a searchable business profile database to connect job seekers to employers in Wayne County.
• All area K-12 schools are planning for comprehensive career awareness and promotion activities, including use of the interactive, web-based Career Cruising and job shadowing / internship models.
The enthusiasm for this initiative is gratifying – and we thank all our agencies, businesses, schools, media, and government entities for their support.  Ms. Porter will continue to inform the community about progress through regular updates in the local media.
• Training funds available
WEDnetPA coordinates the Guaranteed Free Training Program, awarding grants to employers to train their workforce in two areas – Basic Skills and Information Technology.  The Guaranteed Free Training program is extremely flexible, allowing several options for providers and venues, and courses defined by the type and scope of the business.  The program operates on a July – June fiscal year, so now is the time to consider an application.  Contact WEDCO for details.
Training dollars are also available through a number of Industry Partnerships.  For example, companies in the manufacturing sector can access funds through the Northeast Pennsylvania Advanced/Diversified Manufacturing Industry Partnership.  There is maximum subsidy of $15,000 per employer.  A 25% cash match of all training costs is required from the employer.  Applications are due by the end of March.  Contact Marie McDonnell at Wayne County Job Training, (570)253-5970, for more information.
• To contact WEDCO
   Our address is 32 Commercial Street, Suite 1, Honesdale, PA 18431.  Please call us at (570)253-5334, email us at info@wedcorp.org, and visit our website at www.wedcorp.org.  Our website contains a list of members searchable by membership category or product and/or service provided.