Keystone Edge - In the News

$930K state loan awarded for Molly Brannigans pub project in Bethlehem

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A state loan of nearly $1 million has helped close a financing gap for a project that will redevelop a former Farr's shoe store in Bethlehem into the Irish pub Molly Brannigans and three floors of office space, reported The Express-Times.

Alloy Surfaces wins potential $52M defense contract to make missile-foiling countermeasures

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Alloy Surfaces Co., a Chester, Pa.-based subsidiary of Chemring Group plc of England, has the distinction of being the only company in the word that makes a special type of countermeasure for planes and helicopters attacked by heat-seeking missiles. That distinction has won it a contract from the Air Force that could be worth nearly $52 million, reported the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Region's compensation tops national average

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Employers in the Mid-Atlantic region paid average wages of $30.81 per hour, higher than the national average in September, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Paterno, Penn State agree to three-year extension

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Five days away from his 82nd birthday, Joe Paterno agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the helm of Penn State football through the 2011 season, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

PA to raise natural gas drilling fees, add staff

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In response to natural gas drilling companies' request for the Commonwealth to speed up the permitting process for tapping into the Marcellus Shale, the state will increase drilling permits fees to add staff, reported the Times Leader.

65 PA public high schools win medals in nationwide ranking

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. News & World Report examines the performance of 21,000 public high schools in the United States, and 65 high schools in 28 Pennsylvania counties rank among the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in the rankings of the nation's best performers.

10,000 Friends invite nominees for 2009 Commonwealth Awards

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to smart growth, wants to honor visionaries whose works create sustainable growth and workable solutions for the Commonwealth's economy and environment.

Penn State researchers highlighted in Discover Magazine's Top 100 Stories of 2008

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Penn State researchers have been recognized in Discover Magazine's Top 100 Stories of 2008 issue. The magazine is unveiling its top stories of 2008 one at a time on its Web site throughout the month of December.

PA farmers gather around plans to keep energy costs down

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The uses and cost of fuel for Pennsylvania farmers dominated the first-ever Energy on the Farm Forum held at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center last week. Lancaster Farming reports on the discussion.

Marcellus Shale reserves could meet U.S. natural gas needs for 14 years, PSU geoscientist says

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While recession, regulation, and environmental impacts are having immediate effects on the drive to drill into the deep reserves of the Marcellus Shale, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the vision of what's below the surface is enormous.

Northhampton CC students prepare to join green energy work force

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Preparing Lehigh Valley students to work in a green labor force is becoming a part of the curriculum at Northampton Community College.

Bucks County CC halts tuition for unemployed workers

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bucks County Community College offers tuition relief to help unemployed workers adjust to lost jobs--the second time the college has offered such a program.

Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm turns to second stage

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gamesa, developer of one of the largest wind power farms planned for Pennsylvania, is finding a way to navigate the complexities of land use planning.

PA ready to invest in business, energy, and infrastructure to help economy

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania has a backup plan for giving the state's economy a pickup. It is prepared to make long-term investment in state infrastructure, the Morning Call reported Monday.

Aria Systems draws $10M in second-round venture cap funding

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Aria Systems of Media, Pa., has received an additional round of capital financing, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.

Ethanol plant preparing to bring biofuels production to Central PA

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Central Pennsylvania will soon be the home of a major ethanol plant. The Clearfield County plant will have the capacity to produce 100-million gallons of the corn-derived fuel each year, the Centre Daily Times reports.

Insurance giant Highmark appears to be recession-proof

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the recession, Western Pennsylvania insurance giant Highmark continues to add jobs while escaping the hard times that are afflicting other businesses. The company has some 400 openings, the Post-Gazette reports.

Monroeville's census performance suggests power of healthcare-oriented community

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Census data released this month on mid-sized communities showed overall growth of income in the town of Monroeville advancing at a higher rate than in the nation and the state. The town's success in attracting professionals in health services may account for the good result, the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

Real estate bargains come with affordable living in Harrisburg-Carlisle

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While it's not too hard to find bargains in real estate these days, the Harrisburg-Carlisle region has been named the third most livable market for real estate bargains in the MSN's 2008 survey of 100 U.S. metropolitan areas.

Rooney family prepares for new investors in closely-held Steelers franchise

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the oldest franchises in football is preparing to restructure its ownership. Although the names are not known at this point, it appears that some new investors will be joining the Rooneys as owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the details may be clear before Christmas, the Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh Pirates scout reality TV for perfect pitchers

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Pittsburgh Pirates have an innovative approach to building the ball team. They've recently hired players who never played baseball before the met the Pirates, the Associated Press reports.

Lehigh wins national award for technology commercialization

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lehigh University won an award for technology commercialization last month at the University Economic Development Association's annual summit in St. Petersburg, Fla. The award was for nanoparticles that clean toxic waste sites ten times faster than traditional methods.

Western PA manufacturers felt wind at their backs during 2008 economic storms

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence and the accounting firm Alpern Rosenthal recently surveyed manufacturing firms in Western Pennsylvania for evidence of recession. The results indicate that the region's industry has done well in 2008, the Post-Gazette reports.

Growth in research funding can spur innovation, economic development

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Penn State reported a record $717 million in research funding for 2007-2008, continuing an upward trend in industry and private research funding at Penn State over the last 10 years--from $62 million in 1999 to nearly $105 million in 2008, an increase of 69 percent.

Blueprint for a green county

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lancaster County officials are developing a "green infrastructure" plan that emphasizes preserving woods, waterways and open spaces as "vital to the health and well being of Lancastrians."

Alle Kiski Medical Center gets new imaging center

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Alle-Kiski Medical Center announced Monday it has acquired a freestanding medical imaging center in the Pittsburgh suburb of Natrona Heights.

Airgas grows again with acquisitions

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Radnor, Pa.-based Airgas Inc. bought three businesses, adding to its portfolio of a dozen acquisitions since the beginning of its fiscal year in April.

Fox Chase Cancer Center planning Bucks County site

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fox Chase Cancer Center is planning to build a high-tech radiation therapy facility in Buckingham, Pa., in what could be the first in a series of new satellite offices in the tri-state region, according to a report in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Teletech to hire 150 near Uniontown Mall

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Teletech Holdings Inc., an Englewood, Colo.-based company, said Monday it will hire about 150 people to work for clients in the banking and telecommunications industries from its office near the Uniontown Mall, reported the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Learning executives to convene at UPenn to tackle tough issues

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Learning executives from companies such as JetBlue, CIGNA, Pfizer and Wipro will convene at an international summit at the University of Pennsylvania in February to address issues driving innovation in learning and leadership.