Progress Is...
Advancing Regional Initiatives
This past year the Progress Council continued its Smart Government Initiative. PA Futures was retained to work directly with staff on the first phase of efforts to promote cooperative efforts among local government. Mr. Alan Kugler, principle in PA Futures, is recognized statewide for his leadership in advancing governmental consolidations and mergers. Initial grants including a $10,000 CRP Grant through State Senator Stout and a $23,000 Shared Services Grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development supported consultant research efforts and meetings with local governmental officials. In 2007, efforts will focus on developing a demonstration project on cooperative services.
The Mon Valley Community Education Council (MVCEC) continues to advance. The Progress Council serves as program consultant to this regional education project. With the completion of an agreement between the MVCEC and the Mon Valley Career and Technology Council (MVCTC), the MVCEC will have access to six classrooms and eight technical labs. Partnerships have been arranged with Penn State-Fayette Campus, Westmoreland County Community College, and MVCTC to hold classes at the MVCTC's Speers site. Spring courses will begin in March. Courses will focus on technical training in areas from welding to nursing to courses in business and pubic safety. State Representative Peter J. Daley has been a leader in the MVCEC effort. Daley secured a $250,000 grant in 2006-07 to initiate the MVCEC's courses and to support acquisition of equipment that will expand computer lab equipment and video conferencing services for area firms. MVCEC is one of ten Community Education Council's in Pennsylvania. Please visit www.mvcec.org for more information.
A companion effort with the MVCEC involves meeting with local businesses to develop a certificate program to improve the quality of our area workforce. Through surveys and meetings with local firms, it has become increasingly apparent that many entry-level employees lack the basic skills essential to meet the needs of area firms. Penn State-Fayette Campus is working with a committee of local firms to develop a curriculum that will improve skills in areas including basic math, technical reading, working in project teams, and promoting a better understanding of what makes a businesses successful. Courses are expected to begin in 2007. The Progress Council thanks RAS Industries, Channel Craft, World Kitchen and Solar Power Industries for participating in the project.
The Progress Council is also assisting the Greater Monessen Historical Society in initial fund raising efforts to develop the Mid Mon Valley Industrial Museum. This exciting project will provide a location to tell the story of the industrial heritage of our region as well as providing a venue to display products currently manufactured in the Mid Mon Valley. The industrial museum project is a crucial element in promoting the growth of cultural tourism in our region. In 2003, cultural tourism in Pennsylvania was a $23.45 billion industry generating 555,442 jobs.
The awarding of a $25,000 grant to the Progress Council through the Department of Community and Economic Development supported the initiation of a strategic planning process for the nine-community Mid Mon Valley Regional Enterprise Zone. MVREZ participating communities include; Belle Vernon, California, Charleroi, Carroll Township, Donora, North Charleroi, Speers, Twilight and West Brownsville. The intent of the regional enterprise zone project is to work with participating communities to select target areas that will be eligible for low-interest loan funds to support the location of new businesses in such zones. REZ zones will also qualify for special consideration for state grants. The goal of the project is to promote economic development in Mid Mon Valley communities that are facing significant issues of economic distress. A consultant firm will be selected in early 2007 to complete the regional strategic plan.
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435 Donner Avenue | Suite 410 | Monessen, PA 15062 | 724-684-3381 | Fax: 724-684-5113