The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA), on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), will present the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center (CTTC) with a $55,000 ARC grant.
NEPA Alliance, in coordination with DCED’s Center for Strategic Partnerships, assisted in preparation of the grant and recommended the project to ARC for approval. The goal of this project was to promote business development in the advanced manufacturing, biotech research, life sciences, alternative energy, agro-food processing, digital media, and pre-fabricated housing segments.
The $55,000 federal grant combined with $62,000 in matching funds, will fund major improvements at the CTTC facility including replacement of older HVAC equipment. The CTTC is also seeking to purchase a production quality candy kettle for the Kitchen Incubator and intends to purchase a 3-D printer for the Electronic Makerspace. The Kitchen Incubator is the first in Northeastern PA, and the CTTC seeks to use the Kitchen Incubator as a catalyst to strengthen and expand the food processing and agricultural industries in Northeastern PA. The creation of the Kitchen Incubator was based on the results of a study by PennTAP. The recently opened Electronics Makerspace will be critical to bringing business into the facility for products that are currently being manufactured overseas.
A total of 8 businesses will benefit from the grant. The grant is expected to create 15 jobs and help retain over 30 jobs.
Pictured from left: Maureen Brennan, Workforce Development Board; Paul Macknosky, Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED); John Pullo, Board Chair, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center (CTTC); Ken Okrepkie, Ben Franklin Technology Partners; Aimee Wechsler, Senator Casey’s Office; Paul Browne, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center (CTTC); Jack McNulty, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry; Jeffrey Box, NEPA Alliance; Kurt Bauman, NEPA Alliance; Colleen Eagen Gerrity, Congressman Cartwright’s Office; Michele Bannon, City of Carbondale; Larry West, Senator Blake’s Office; and Lisa Hall Zielinski, University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
