Business Facilities - July 2008 - (Page 35)

BUSINESS REPORT Pennsylvania By Donna Clapp Nanotech Looms Large in Commonwealth’s Economy Keystone Innovation Zone taps a homegrown, skilled workforce to transform the state into a cutting-edge technology leader. I PENNSYLVANIA FAST FACTS Population (2006): 12,440,621 Largest Cities (2006): Philadelphia, 1,448,394; Pittsburgh, 312,819; Allentown, 107,294; Erie, 102,036; Reading, 81,183 Targeted Industries: Advanced materials and diversified manufacturing, business and financial services, life sciences, high technology, alternative energy, agriculture and food production Key Incentives: New Pennsylvania Venture Capital Investment Program, Export Finance Program, Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, Market Access Grant, Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority For dessert maker Sweet Street and candy makers R. M. Palmer and Godiva, it was really a simple recipe: choose a solid workforce, excellent quality of life, a thriving community and a prime location with over 100 million people within an overnight drive. Hmmm maybe you’ve discovered the ideal location for your next project. YOUR PARTNER IN BUSINESS GROWTH. Greater Reading and Berks County, PA | 610.376.4237 | www.goBEP.com #0911 at www.BusinessFacilities.com BUSINESS FACILITIES Ad made possible in part by the Berks County Commissioners, private industry and foundations. 35 n 2007 Business Facilities ranked Pennsylvania fifth in the nation for the most educated workforce. This is not surprising since Pennsylvania has the nation’s third-largest number of colleges and universities in the United States, and also is considered to be the nation’s seventhlargest cyberstate, according to the American Electronics Association (AeA), a nationwide non-profit trade association that represents the technology industry. That’s a great foundation for what Governor Ed Rendell and Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Rebecca Bagley say is the nation’s next big economic driver—nanotechnology. “The findings presented by AeA reconfirm our efforts,” says Bagley. “Pennsylvania’s economic climate is attracting new tech businesses and putting a new generation of Pennsylvania’s skilled employees to work. Our high-tech sectors are the cornerstone of our growth, and the tech industry is attracted to Pennsylvania because of the quality of our workforce, our world-class universities, strong economic development programs and the economic climate we’re creating. Pennsylvania has been at the cutting edge of nanotechnology for several years through our Pennsylvania Nanotechnology Initiative (PNI).” The commonwealth is continuing to lay the groundwork for nanotech companies and has invested $68 million in nanotechnology research and commercialization partnerships through PNI, including the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Lehigh University. Bagley also credits the Keystone Sweet success. http://www.goBEP.com http://www.goBEP.com http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

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Business Facilities - July 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: New York The 2008 Business Facilities Rankings Report 2008 Rankings: Biotech Blasts Off 2008 Rankings: Green with Envy 2008 Rankings: Warm Climate for Business Nanotech Looms Large in Pennsylvania Metro Spotlight: Inland Empire, CA Food Processing Sites: Providing Sustenance as Well as Nutrition Sale-Leasebacks: Easing the Credit Crunch Corporate Moves: Georgia Metro Spotlight: Albuquerque, NM Advertiser Index Inside LiveXchange

Business Facilities - July 2008

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