IN THE ZONE
News from the Allentown Enterprise Zone and
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center
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BRIDGEWORKS GOES TAX FREE!! |
AERC.com,
Inc.
http://www.aercmti.com
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center graduate Advanced Environmental
Recycling Company L.L.C. (“AERC”) and its affiliate Mercury Technologies
International, L.P. (“MTI”) are pleased to announce the consolidation of their
businesses to form a new company, AERC.com, Inc. As
of January 1, 2001, the assets of both AERC and MTI have been transferred to the new
corporation, which was incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania.
As you are probably aware, the affiliates, AERC and MTI were
both in the hazardous waste recycling/reclamation business.
The business of MTI related to the recycling of lighting products and the
business of AERC concerned a broader range of recyclable materials. Because of the close relationship between the
companies, we often referred to them collectively as “AERC/MTI”. In order to provide simplicity and consistency in
the marketplace, Robert Landmesser, Chairman of AERC and MTI consolidated the companies. We are certain the transition will be a seamless
one.
A major goal of the consolidated new company is to concentrate
on the mercury and fluorescent lamp recycling business.
Recent changes in state and federal regulations mandate recycling of lamps
destine for disposal.
We look forward to continuing our prior role as industry
leaders as AERC.com, Inc. If you have any
questions regarding this matter, please call Robert M. Blanchfield, President, at (610)
797-7608. (2/28/01) |
eSocrates adds new video streaming capabilities
eSocrates.com Inc., an eLearning application services provider located
at the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, recently announced that it will add new video
streaming capabilities that will enhance its eLearning management system. Funded by
Bethlehem-based Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the new video streaming capabilities
will enable eSocrates to offer Internet protocol-based video streaming services as part of
online courses. eSocrates moved into the Bridgeworks in May of 2000, becoming the
31st company and the third dot.com company to locate at Bridgeworks. You can visit
their company website at eSocrates.com.
CHECK THIS OUT!!! eScorates.com was also featured in the Business section of the
Morning Call newspaper. To read the article, "Company moves classroom to
Internet" just click
here. (1/29/01) |
Manufacturers
Resource Center (MRC) launches new web site
The Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, recently launched www.mfgGate.com, a manufacturing portal. The site
is a new Internet tool that will connect more than 15,000 Pennsylvania manufacturers,
helping them find new customers, buy and sell their finished goods and services and source
raw materials. (3/1/01) |
PartsDesk is
the 35th at Bridgeworks
The PartsDesk, owned by Dan Turner, is a web-enabled business that
allows large commercial truck service and sales businesses to share access to their
inventories of parts. Currently a facilitated transaction, the owner plans to
migrate more of the transactions to the web. This way, a Mack Truck Service Center
in Allentown, for instance, that needs a fan belt for a 1989 truck but does not have one
in stock, can search the parts inventories of other service centers. Further, they
can then purchase this fan belt and have it express shipped. Contact Dan Turner at
the Bridgeworks at 610.770.8924. (8/15/00) |
Valley
Transportation Moves In
Valley Transportation, a new truck brokerage business, has recently
joined the parade of businesses moving into the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. Owned
by Joshua Thomas, Valley Transportation is a web-enabled business that helps to arrange
shipments for local truck drivers. Mr. Thomas finds matches between local shippers
and local drivers. Soon, the company will facilitate this business by utilizing the
internet. Contact Joshua Thomas at Valley Transportation. (8/1/00) |
POPLIFE Online
Joins the Bridgeworks
The 33rd company to get a start at Bridgeworks is POPLIFE Online.
POPLIFE began life as a newsletter that provides information about unsigned, but
touring, gospel, R&B, blues and urban musical groups. Interest in the newsletter
led to the development of a website and now to a whole business. POPLIFE will help
build websites, maintain content and facilitate sales of digital music, CD's and
electronics over the web. Also under development is streaming video.
The company becomes the 9th in the Home Office Alternative. They
can be reached at POPLIFE Online.com
or at 610.432.5433 (6/1/00) |
Lehigh Valley Plastics
Receives Enterprise Zone Loan
Lehigh Valley Plastics is the latest to benefit from a location in the
Allentown Enterprise Zone. Their recent $1 million expansion was aided by a
$250,000, 3.75% interest rate loan from the Pennsylvania Enterprise Zone program.
Since approval and completion of the expansion, the company has added 20 jobs
bringing the company to 110 people in 3 buildings on the east side of Allentown. You
can contact them at www.lehighvalleyplastics.com.
(7/1/00) |
Carpentry Plus
Becomes Bridgeworks 32nd
Carpentry Plus is the 32nd company to get their start in the
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. The business specializes in building and installing
custom countertops and cabinets and joined the incubator in May. While many other
carpentry businesses focus solely on competitive pricing, Carpentry Plus will offer not
only competitive pricing, but also a much higher level of customer service. They
will provide services to both commercial and residential customers.
Ironically, the owner of the company is Jim Smith, Jr. who is the son of
a former manager of Bridgeworks. The company has hired its first two employees and
is planning to be at 6 employees by the end of their first three years at Bridgeworks.
They can be reached at 610.770.8939 (5/30/00) |
eSocrates.com Chooses
Bridgeworks!
Dr. Paul Shrivastava started eSocrates just over a year ago in
Lewisburg, PA. The company provides tools over the internet to allow colleges and
universities to develop complete online courses with quizzes, grade reporting, research
material, discussion groups and more. Their relationship in eastern Pennsylvania
with the Community Agile Partners for Education (CAPE), a consortium of over 100 colleges,
school districts and others, brought them looking for space in the Lehigh Valley,
Princeton and Philadelphia. Bridgeworks provides them with an excellent location,
supportive environment for e-commerce businesses and a state and local tax free location
from which to grow.
They become the 31st company to move into Bridgeworks since 1989 and the third dot.com.
eSocrates moved in on May 1, 2000 and they can be reached at eSocrates.com. (5/15/00) |
Acme Cryogenics Gets Training Money
Acme Cryogenics joins a long list of Allentown Enterprise Zone
businesses to have taken advantage of the Employee Development Scholarship Fund from the
Allentown Economic Development Corporation. Acme sent 18 employees to a sales and
negotiation seminar, applied to AEDC for the maximum $500 and received the check this
week. The program helped to defray the cost of an expensive program for Acme that,
nevertheless, will help them be far more competitive in their market. For more
information about this and other AEDC programs, call Lewis Edwards at 610.770.1015.
(5/2/00) |
Luminaire Testing Labs Receives Enterprise
Zone Training Funds
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center anchor tenant Luminaire Testing Labs (LTL)
received a grant for $300 from the Allentown Enterprise Zone Program. The Allentown
Economic Development Corporation, which administers the Enterprise Zone Program in
Allentown, provides matching grants for Enterprise Zone businesses that are sending
employees to training. LTL is sending a new employee to computer training at the New
Horizons Computer Learning Center. (1/25/00) |
The FREEdLANCE Group Grows and Creates New
Certification Curriculum
NEW TRAINING PROGRAM OFFERS NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS FOR CAREER AND
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS - Responding to a growing national interest in the
formal professional certification of skill sets, a "first-of-its-kind" training
program will be launched in January at three Pennsylvania locations for people who work in
the rapidly expanding field of career and workforce development. The 20-week course will
prepare students for national certification from the Center for Credentialing and
Education of the National Board of Certified Counselors and from the National Association
of Workforce Development Professionals. In addition, the course will train public
employment professionals now coming together in One-Stops with the competencies outlined
by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The training course is sponsored by a partnership of Duquesne University's Division of
Continuing Education, The FREEdLANCE Group for Career and Workforce Innovation, and
Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh. It will be offered simultaneously in Pittsburgh,
Harrisburg and Lehigh Valley. The 120-hour program will run from January 26 through May 24
in Harrisburg and from January 27 through May 25 in Pittsburgh and Lehigh Valley (in the
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center).
In addition to the national certifications, students who complete this training program
will receive a certificate from Duquesne University and 12 continuing education units
(CEU's) and gain membership in the Career and Workforce Futures Regional Networks of
professionals in career and workforce development occupations. These professionals will
have a greater number of learning opportunities through access in virtual Internet-based
offices with interactive forums and multimedia news.
"Our public and private workforce development systems must better link education and
the workplace and model life-long learning, performance excellence and continuous
improvement," said Peter T. Koch, Vice President, Northeast Region, National Alliance
of Business. "This program offers to bring the best of many approaches together to
influence the development of a more professional and effective workforce development
system."
Career Development Facilitators and Certified Workforce Development Professionals are
employed in a variety of career and workforce development settings including government
agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses. They serve as one-stop staff,
career group facilitators, job search trainers, career resource/one-stop center
coordinators, career coaches, career development case managers, intake interviewers,
occupational and labor market information resources persons, human resource and career
development coordinators, employment/placement specialists and workforce development
supervisory personnel. The course is designed for individuals already working in the field
and for "career changers" who are interested in getting into the dynamic and
emerging profession of career and workforce development.
"Career transitions affect us all in today's changing world, and people deserve the
services of qualified career development personnel in making their transitions," said
Howard Splete, Ph.D., co-author of the Career Development Facilitator Curriculum Guide.
"This course will be taught by an experienced and talented team that should provide
excellent training of career development facilitators who can aid persons in their career
transitions." Mrs. Petrosky said the course is a "first of its kind"
and represents a tremendous value because of its extensive content and interactive format
and the fact that it will result in professional certifications, the awarding of CEU's,
and the on-going involvement of graduates in a peer network for sharing information and
for continued professional development.
Cost of the program is $1,250 and the registration deadline is January 21.
Individuals working in the employment and training field (including JTPA/WIA, UI/ES, Job
Corps, SDA Contractors, Welfare-to-Work, and other funded efforts) may be eligible for 50%
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration technical assistance
staff development scholarships. For further information or to request an application
for enrollment, contact Duquesne University's Division of Continuing Education at (412)
396-5600 or (800) 283-3853, or visit the Internet Website www.freedlance.com/network. (12/9/99) |
Plaspro Expansion
Plaspro Corporation, founded at Bridgeworks in January of this year, has expanded on
schedule. Their original business plan called for an expansion from 3,000 square
feet to 7,500 square feet in order to accomodate a plastics distribution business in
addition to their specialty plastics fabrication business. Their six employees
provide products and services for many types of businesses including the semi-conductor
and chemical industries. You can visit their website (also recently expanded!)
at plaspro.com (12/1/99) |
|
The Bridgeworks is proud to have them in our program and we hope you'll
visit them at BarterFirst.com. |
Lehigh Valley Plastics Receives a
$50,000 Enterprise Tax Credit
LV Plastics, an employer of approximately 100 people on the East Side of Allentown,
recently received a $50,000 Pennsylvania Tax Credit for spending over $1 million in
facility improvements in the Enterprise Zone. Your C Corporation may be able to take
advantage of this program as well if: you locate in a Pennsylvania Enterprise Zone
and improve your facility you may be eligible for up to 20% of your investment in state
Tax Credits. Contact Lewis Edwards at the Bridgeworks for more information.
610.770.1015 or via email.
(9/17/99) |
Penn Foam Receives
Employee Development Scholarship Funds
Penn Foam Corporation became the sixth Allentown Enterprise Zone business to receive
Employee Development Scholarship funding from the Allentown Economic Development
Corporation. They sent eleven employees through a Lehigh Carbon Community College
Communication Skills Course earlier this year, and in September were reimbursed for $500
for their efforts. Other Employee Development Scholarship winners have included
Lehigh Valley Plastics, Yalena Construction, GK Knits, A&Z Industries and Advanced
Environmental Recycling Corporation. For more information on this program Click Here for a set of guidelines and application
form. Or contact Bridgeworks for more information. (9/3/99) |
DWS Technologies Begins Move-In
Our 30th Business since 1989...Our 7th This Year
DWS Technologies owner Dave Schreibeck quit his job a month ago to commit to his own
specialty machine shop business. He's already picked up three clients in the
Bridgeworks Incubator alone! Dave produces specialty machine parts from specialty
materials including stainless steel, brass and oxygen free copper. He also works in
more traditional materials like steel and plastics.
Dave will start with just he and his wife Cindy, but plans to add a few more
employees over the course of his first three years with us here. He's getting
settled in the first week of August, 1999, but he'd be glad to hear from you if you need
24-hour service on machine part production. His number is 610.770.8872.
Click here to see a
complete list of our current 9 manufacturing businesses and 5 service businesses.
(8/15/99) |
Eastern Pennsylvania
Electrocoating Joins the Crowd at Bridgeworks
Eastern Pennsylvania Electrocoating Company (EPECO) joined Bridgeworks
in July of 1999. They provide electrocoating services primarily to the automotive
industry. Their process is environmentally friendly and their customers include
Ford, Mack Trucks and others. Owner Tom Moran and his wife Nancy started preparing
their space earlier this year. On July 22, the 60' long electrocoating equipment
arrived from Michigan to be installed. Tom expects the business to be operating on
three shifts of 7-9 people each shift by the end of the first year of operation.
EPECO becomes the sixth business to join Bridgeworks this year, bringing
our total to 13 companies currently in residence. (7/23/99) |
ProWebTech.Com
Joins the Bridgeworks
The 29th business to move into Bridgeworks joined us in June. ProWebTech.Com is
an internet consulting firm specializing in websites that are fully integrated sales tools
for business. E-commerce is a rapidly growing use of the internet and
ProWebTech.Com owner Jeff Varkonyi is helping businesses make more effective use of
their web site dollars.
ProWebTech.Com provide website design services as well as overall marketing
consultation where e-commerce is a critical component of the strategy. Jeff has also
created his own sites for commerce. Check out his other sites at HighTechValley.com and MainLinkMall.com. Or contact
him at 610.437.9228 or via email at
jeff@prowebtech.com.
ProWebTech.Com is the 6th business to move into our Home Office Alternative
@ Bridgeworks. Click here for more
information about the Home Office Alternative. (6/29/99) |
FREEdLANCE
Becomes the 28th Company in Bridgeworks!
In May, FREEdLANCE took up residence in the Home Office Alternative @ Bridgeworks.
Owned by Bill Freed, the company is a designer and developer of custom training programs
for employers. The FREEdLANCE Group for Career & Workforce Innovation is
a corporation that works to enhance quality-of-life. By applying technology, modern
management principles, and best practices to career and workforce development
"systems" and programs, we create visions and solutions for customers on
national, regional, state, or local levels.
Freedlance can be reached at info@freedlance.com
or at the Bridgeworks at 610-432-8075 or in Pittsburgh at 412-563-0379.
(5/22/99) |
MEF SPOTS BECOMES
14TH GRADUATE
We are proud to announce the 14th graduate of the Bridgeworks
Enterprise Center. MEF Spots, a rapidly growing internet design and consultation firm,
graduated at the end of March. In only one year, Matt Fodor grew his business from his
dining room table to a three person company. Their new address is 735 W. Pittston
Street, Suite 300, Allentown, PA 18103. Matt has moved the business only one
block from the incubator and we are delighted that he is keeping the business in Allentown
and that we could help him get started. MEF Spots was the first tenant of
Bridgeworks to occupy space in the Home Office Alternative. The Home Office Alternative is
a suite of individual offices which cost only $175 per month with all expenses included.
All Bridgeworks tenants have access to two conference rooms, back-up phone answering, high
speed internet access, networked digital photocopier and more.
You can visit MEF Spots Home Page or visit their new Valley Locator. (4/30/99) |
IT'S
OFFICIAL!!!
The Bridgeworks Enterprise Center is In
the Keystone Opportunity Zone
NO MORE STATE OR LOCAL TAXES HERE!!
The Bridgeworks
Enterprise Center is a part of the successful Lehigh Valley Keystone Opportunity Zone
application. As part of the KOZ, businesses located here will be exempt from state
taxes such as the corporate net income tax, capital stock and franchise tax and sales tax
for purchases made for use in the incubator. These tax benefits add to the fact that
we are already exempt from local real estate taxes. Even Subchapter S corporations
will benefit as the owners of businesses generating income in the incubator will be able
to receive tax credits on their personal income tax forms. Link here to the state's
official Keystone
Opportunity Zone information
page, or email Lewis Edwards,
Bridgeworks manager, for more
information. (3/20/99) |
SDS Design
Associates Joins the Bridgeworks, February, 1999!
SDS has becom the 27th business to
join the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center since 1988. SDS Design Associates designs,
manufactures and distributes specialty licensed merchandise such as apparel and decorative
magnets. Among their products are small and large magnets emblazoned with the logos
of major U.S. universities and colleges. They are also producing NASCAR licensed
products. If you've ever seen the giant Penn State Nittany Lion paws on the side of
a vehicle, they're from SDS!. Contact Darryl Shellhamer at 610.820.7044.
(2/18/99) |
Plaspro
Corporation Joins the Bridgeworks - January, 1999!
Plaspro becomes the 26th tenant to join the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. Plaspro
is a designer and fabricator of customized plastic containers, vessels, tanks and other
fluid-related products. Chemical resistant lab and process benches and cabinets,
specialty equipment and modifications to them account for a significant portion of their
business. They will be starting with 5 employees and working with specialty
plastics. The company specializes in prototype work and small custom runs. You
can reach Plaspro at 610 770-8920. (1/20/99) |
Advanced
Research Systems Joins The Bridgeworks
Advanced Research Systems, a cryogenic equipment manufacturer which
has its roots with Air Products and Chemicals, will be moving into the Bridgeworks
Enterprise Center small business incubator. Advanced Research Systems (ARS) is a new
manufacturer of the equipment used by high end Research and Development Corporations and
Universities throughout the world. Principal owner Ravi Bains anticipates at least 6
employees within three years.
ARS is entering a partnership with APD Cryogenics of Allentown to produce the
equipment. APD is a spin-off of Air Products. ARS becomes the 25th incubator
tenant at Bridgeworks in the ten-year history of the building. (12/10/98) |
Congratulations, Fasig's
Coffee
Fasig's Coffee has announced a new joint venture in the TJ's Cafes inside
the TJ Bart's Superstore in Hometown, Schuylkill County. The joint venture with
Breyer's Ice Cream will allow Fasig's to showcase their delectable selection of flavored
coffees in marriage with Breyer's Ice Creams. For the entire story, check out Fasig's Website or Click Here for the October 22
Morning Call article. |
Congratulations
Tradeshow
Tradeshow Resources has become the 13th business to graduate from the
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. Don Bertschman and Ralph Wood, owners of Tradeshow,
are now leasing much larger quarters on Allentown's south side. Tradeshow joined
Bridgeworks in December, 1994. After 3 1/2 years with us, and adding two employees,
the business will now fill in a vacant 27,000 square feet on 26th Street SW in the
building with Geiger Beverages.
Tradeshow designs, manufactures and maintains major
tradeshow exhibitry for customers such as Mack Trucks, Lutron, Victaulic, Fuller, Corning
and others. Their products have been displayed all over the world. (7/6/98) |
Over 150 Attend
Bridgeworks Birthday Party!
Thanks to all who attended the Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce
Mixer at Bridgeworks on May 28. There were over 150 of you there. This event
marks the 10th year of involvement with the former Mack Truck properties at 10th and
Harrison Streets. (6/7/98) |
Yalena Construction,
A&Z Industries, GK Knits Get Funds
Three more Allentown Enterprise Zone businesses received funds from AEDC's Employee Development Scholarship Fund.
The funds will be used to offset costs of sending employees to training. They join
Lehigh Valley Plastics and Advanced Environmental Recycling Corporation as previous
recipients. (6/7/98) |
Bridgeworks
Industrial Site is a Pennsylvania Key Site
The 11-acre site which is part of the Bridgeworks Complex, owned by the
Allentown Economic Development Corporation, has been designated by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection as one of eight Key Sites designated in the
State. The designation will allow AEDC to receive direct contractor assistance from
DEP to obtain a release from liability as a Special Industrial Area under Pennsylvania's
Act 2 legislation. (5/19/98) |
Lehigh Valley Task Force
Receives Grant
Abandoned industrial properties in the Lehigh Valley will benefit from the
receipt of a $200,000 pilot grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The grant will be given to the Northampton County Government which will provide it to the
Northampton County Development Corporation and will be directed by a task force which has
been meeting for over 18 months. The funds will help begin to find clean up
solutions for brownfield sites in the Valley. One site which could benefit would be
the Bridgeworks Industrial Site. For more information, contact Lewis Edwards,
Director of Enterprise Development for the Allentown Economic Development Corporation at ledwards@thebridgeworks.com. (5/19/98) |
Lehigh Small Business Development
Center Allentown Office Opens At Bridgeworks
The Lehigh University Small Business Development
Center has opened an Allentown satellite office at Bridgeworks Enterprise
Center. The office is staffed on Tuesday afternoons by Jim Bornamen of the
Center. The office has been established in order to better serve Allentown and other
Lehigh County residents who are planning a new business. (4/13/98) |
Prontix Integration Approved
Prontix Integration has been approved for occupancy in the Home Office Alternative @ Bridgeworks. Dan Wampler, who
owns Prontix, is a specialist in industrial automation, software and hardware
specification and procurement and is even working to solve the Y2K problem for
business. He moves here from Coopersburg and should be moving in late in April.
(4/13/98) |
AERC and Lehigh Valley Plastics to
Receive Employee Development Scholarship Funds
Advanced Environmental Recycling Corporation (AERC) and Lehigh Valley Plastics have both
received from AEDC's Employee Development
Scholarship Fund. The companies recently sent four employees through the Basic
Supervisory Skills training program offered by Lehigh Carbon Community College. The
program teaches employees how to handle some of the basic supervisory skills necessary to
manage others. Time management, conflict resolution and team building skills are all
taught. Businesses located in the Allentown Enterprise Zone are eligible for a 50%
reimbursement grant for sending employees to training. (4/13/98) |
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