"We have a wide range of diverse industry located through all areas of the county."
- Frank Zukas
SEDCO
www.sed-co.com
Schuylkill County has been busy rebuilding its economic base since the decline of the Anthracite mining industry. Due to the efforts and effective partnerships of a number of community-based organizations, job opportunities have been increasing and the county is well on its way to an economic upswing. Among the key economic and community development organizations that have played a major role are the following:
The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce - has served Schuylkill County since 1918. The Schuylkill Chamber is dedicated to serving its members and affiliates with value-added programs and services and improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the county. The Chamber is about building partnerships and developing community potential.
With more than 800 county businesses as members, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce offers comprehensive member benefit and skill development programs to increase business efficiency while also assisting with operating cost control. The organization also maintains community affiliations with numerous other business associations across Schuylkill County in a business network that serves the entire county.
The Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) - www.sed-co.com - is a community-based, private, not-for-profit organization with over 60 years of experience in assisting companies to locate or expand their operations in Schuylkill County.
In support of broad-based community development, SEDCO seeks to assure qualified employment candidates for county businesses through interaction with industry and government and effective partnerships with educators and training providers.
SEDCO manages 12 industrial and business parks located across Schuylkill County which represent more than $1 billion in capital investment. The organization possesses extensive experience with site development, project financing, community marketing, agency coordination, job training and recruitment assistance and permitting services.
Within the SEDCO-developed Highridge Business Park - at more than 2,000 acres, the largest mixed-use business park in Pennsylvania - regional and national companies operate logistics support centers. These firms include Fanelli Trucking and Warehousing, Lowe's Regional Distribution Center, Sears Logistics Services, Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Wegmans Food Markets. Together these facilities comprise a total of 3.24 million square feet on 513 acres of land. In addition, lodging and hospitality services are available at Highridge within a 35,000 square-foot Country Inn and Suites.
SEDCO works closely with the Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority (SCIDA) in support of a cohesive system of project development and financing services. SCIDA is a public authority engaged in providing taxable and tax-exempt bond financing for job creation projects.
Schuylkill County Commissioners Economic Development Office - www.co.schuylkill.pa.us - In an effort to coordinate and facilitate economic development activities on a county-wide level, the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners established the Office of Economic Development.
Responsibilities of the department include:
- Develop and coordinate the county's economic development strategies and planning efforts.
- Assist with county-wide community development and marketing activities.
- Act as liaison with federal and state legislative delegations, area economic development organizations as well as federal, state and local governments.
- Assist with permitting issues with the county's Planning & Zoning Department and Soil Conservation District.
- Focus on workforce development issues, along with business expansion, retention and recruitment activities in collaboration with the county's development agencies.
The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association (MAEA) - www.maea.biz - is a non-profit, membership-based organization that serves companies in Schuylkill, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Northumberland Counties. For more than 40 years, MAEA has promoted productive, positive employer/employee relationships through information, education and training programs. MAEA is the only voluntary, non-profit employer's association in the region. Member companies enjoy daily, specialized employer assistance allowing them to remain competitive in today's ever-changing global economy. MAEA's mission is to provide information and services to member companies that help them grow their businesses and better serve their communities. Through quality networking vehicles, employers are able to pool information, exchange ideas, recognize mutual problems and discover ways to avoid or solve these problems.
Schuylkill County Workforce Development -
www.schuylkillworkforce.com - was developed in partnership between the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association, PPL Utilities, PA CareerLink Schuylkill, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. and the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29. The program focuses on employment, training, education and economic development services in the county.
The Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau - www.schuylkill.org - promotes the attractions, outdoor recreational opportunities and local special events that make our community special. The Visitors Bureau works to enhance the positive image of the county, while establishing tourism as a key element of our economy.
Schuylkill Keep It Pretty (SKIP) - www.skiplitter.org - is a non-profit corporation whose principle charter is environmental awareness. SKIP is managed by a Board of Directors and an executive director who is a PA Department of Education certified educator and a Department of Environmental Protection Certified Environmental Educator. SKIP teaches Schuylkill County elementary children sound solid waste management techniques and manages two county-wide litter campaigns annually. Principle programs include phone book and cell phone recycling, science fair competitions and senior high school scholarships.
Pennsylvania CareerLink Schuylkill County - www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us - is a workforce development partnership that provides both job seekers and employers with workforce development services and resources through an integrated, one-stop, no wrong door system. There are two centers located in Schuylkill County: 201-203 East Arch Street, Pottsville and 217 Center Street, Tamaqua.
PA CareerLink professionals provide one-on-one personalized assistance for job seekers - from completing resumes to helping find the right financial aid and training. Employers can receive personalized assistance for recruitment and placement of employees - from posting positions to screening applicants. Linkages to the services provided by a wide range of private and community organizations are part of the career development marketplace in Schuylkill County.
General strategic direction and oversight of the center is the responsibility of the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners, the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and a Management Council consisting of 13 state, county and community service partners.
The Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) - www.downtownpottsville.org - is the lead organization overseeing the revitalization of Pottsville. The organization is the main point of contact for those interested in starting businesses and investing in the community.
PADCO provides low interest financing for start-up and expanding businesses, facade grants, site identification services and business plan development assistance. PADCO also houses demographic information for the business community and has been the focal point of the resurgence of downtown Pottsville as both a community center and a tourist destination point.
Schuylkill County's VISION - Forward Together - www.schuylkillvision.com - is an organization of citizens working together to create a future that builds on the collective potential as a county community. VISION welcomes all people with open arms who want to join in their efforts.
Upper Schuylkill (US) - www.upperschuylkill.com - is a PA State designated Regional Main Street Program with offices located in the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center in Mahanoy City. Primarily funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Main Street Program, Upper Schuylkill also receives support from its partnership with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, County of Schuylkill, Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, PPL Utilities, Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Area Revitalization Development Corporation, Schuylkill Community Education Council, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, State Senators and Representatives, News Item/Schuylkill Saturday, REPUBLICAN & Herald and the municipalities in which it serves.
Upper Schuylkill is dedicated to promoting downtown revitalization in Ashland, Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown and Shenandoah to improve the quality of life in Upper Schuylkill County.
Wilkes Small Business Development Center - sbdc.wilkes.edu -
The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center provides professional, confidential consulting, training, and education supported by strategic relationships and specialized programs. They have a full time office in Pottsville. The Wilkes University SBDC offers free consulting to new and existing businesses in Schuylkill County.
If you're looking to start your own small business, you will work closely one-on-one with an experienced business consultant, who will offer assistance in writing your business plan, preparing financial projections, initial demographic research, interfacing with government-funded loan programs, environmental issues, licensing, registration, and much more. As your business starts to grow, the Wilkes SBDC will be there with continued support along the way. The Wilkes SBDC also welcomes established businesses, helping your business along the road to success and offering valuable assistance as your business grows. Our free service can give your business total confidentiality assurance by trained professional consultants who can provide guidance with sales and marketing strategies, additional research, environmental concerns, law and legal assistance, human resource issues, and a full slate of business-related seminars you are invited to attend at any time. To inquire about the availability to meet with a trained consultant, please call the Schuylkill County Chamber at 570-622-1942.
Other community organizations that work in a partnership include:
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Frackville Business & Professional Association
Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association
Greater Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce
Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce
Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association
Pottsville Business AssociationPotential new employers will find that Schuylkill County has a spirit of partnership and success just waiting to be tapped. The number of success stories bridges the gap from large to small - from high technology to massive distribution centers. That same spirit is waiting for any employer who decides that Schuylkill County is a great place to locate their business operation.
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce
91 South Progress Avenue
Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901
Voice: 570.622.1942 / 800.755.1942
Fax: 570.622.1638
info@schuylkillchamber.com
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Copyright 2000 - 2006 Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce
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