Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission Official Website

Eight businesses in Bradford County recently received low-interest financing through the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC) to start-up or expand. Loans totaling $932,500 will help these businesses create forty-seven new jobs and retain forty-one existing jobs.

Several agricultural operations were able to expand through assistance from the First Industries Fund, a loan program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s agricultural and tourism industries. As the Area Loan Organization, NTRPDC packages the loans for the Northern Tier Region. The maximum amount is $200,000 or forty percent of the total eligible project costs, whichever is less.

Through these funds, Ja Jen Farm Partnership located in Columbia Crossroads was able to expand through silo construction and equipment, which will help retain two jobs. Y-Run Farms located in Troy plans to expand its dairy operations. It will retain six jobs and create thirteen. VanBlarcom Farm Partnership in Troy will use its First Industries Fund loan to develop a sow operation which will create fourteen new jobs and retain four. Hutchinson Farm Partnership in Rome also plans to expand its dairy operations, creating eight jobs and retaining eight.

The First Industries Fund can also be used for tourism development. Divya, Inc. located in Towanda will use its financing to acquire the Towanda Motel which will help retain seven jobs and will create four new jobs. Four Friends Development, a partnership in Towanda, also plan plans to expand, which will help retain four jobs.

Service and businesses typically qualify for NTRPDC’s Small Business Loan Program, which can lend up to $25,000 for small business projects. Manufacturers received 51% of the loan funds due to the larger amount of each loan. The funds were used for equipment purchase, land and building, and working capital. Holdren’s Precision Machining located in Ulster received a Small Business Loan Program to purchase machinery and equipment. The expansion will help create five new jobs and retain six. Also, Aaron Yoder Construction received a loan for an expansion which will create three new jobs and retain four.

To learn more about the Northern Tier Loan Program e-mail Paulette Potter, Loan Program Manger at potter@northerntier.org.

Each year, many high school students go to work in part-time summer jobs. While they may think that the only benefit of working part-time is the paycheck, a summer job is a great opportunity to learn important work habits and employment skills. Realizing that today’s youth are our future workforce, the Department of Labor, through the Workforce Investment Act Youth Program helps to prepare your Northern Tier Youth for the transition into the working world.

With oversight from the Youth Council and the Workforce Investment Board, the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Youth Program helps area youth achieve academic and employment success. It provides effective and comprehensive activities that encourage school completion, improve educational attainment, and promote linkages to post-secondary education and employers.

Before being placed in their summer job, participants take part in many activities during Academic Enrichment Week. Career Exploration, health and wellness education, team building activities, interviewing skills, public speaking, and college awareness are all introduced by way of guest speakers and field trips. At the end of the week, they are placed in summer jobs based on their interest and abilities.

NTRPDC's summer monitor, Wyoming County summer youth participants, and their career advisor take a moment out of academic enrichment to pose for a picture

NTRPDC’s Annual Meeting was held on April 25th at the V.F.W. in Montrose. Highlights included a presentation by Executive Director Kevin Abrams, and Deputy Directors Kim Barnes and Frank Thompson highlighting past year’s accomplishments of the agency. Entertainment was provided by Pennsylvania singer/songwriter Van Wagner. Businesses of the Year, R&T Technologies, Inc. of Canton and Twigs Restaurant and Café of Tunkhannock were also honored. Each was highlighted in a slideshow presentation and received $1,500 check and plaque.

Melissa Fleming, Jim Walters, Dick Stetz, Karen Vaughn

Jim Rogers, Betty Reibson, and Guest

Tom Schill, Bill Ord, Jack Ord, and Guest

Chad Rimbey, Sherry Felten, and a representative from the Susquehanna County Library

Kevin Abrams presents Cindy Lundy with a gift and certificate for 10 years of service

Van Wilder performs

Kim Barnes presents highlights and accomplishments from 2005

R&T TECHNOLOGIES, INC. IS 2005 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - MANUFACTURER

Pictured Left to Righ: Art Putnam, John Terefenko, Lisa Dean, Dennis Murray, and Michael Reed from R&T Technologies, Inc.

The 2005 Business of the Year, R&T Technologies, Inc. was honored at the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission’s annual meeting held on April 25th at the VFW in Montrose. Kevin Abrams, Executive Director of NTRPDC, presented a plaque and a $1,500 check to President John Terefenko and Vice-President Michael Reed.

R&T Technologies, located in Canton, manufactures parts that are engineered and machined with precision to meet each of their customer’s needs. In 2003, R&T Technologies purchased Glenview Industries. They started out with seven employees and eight customers. Today, they have thirty-five employees and forty-nine customers.

Mr. Terefencko and Mr. Reed credit their success to their employees. "We are deeply honored, and believe this award is a well deserved compliment to our talented and creative employees." Said Mr. Terefencko.

Employees are encouraged to provide input and share in decision making with the management team. All are provided intense training to learn how to operate the high-tech equipment used to machine the parts. Some are invited to participate in a valuable apprenticeship program in which they can become certified as a Journeyman Machinist or Master Moldmaker. After completing the required hours of on the job training and continued education, they have the opportunity to double their hourly wage and become recognized as professionals in their field.

Kevin Abrams, Executive Director of the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission, says "R&T is committed to advanced methods for training its employees and developing its processes, it is an honor to present this award."

R&T has also become very active in the international marketplace. It increased export sales from zero to twenty percent of total annual sales and received the Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award in 2004.

The future is bright for this company. An on-site expansion is planned within the next year, in fact, they plan to use their award money to help with site development work.

The Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission sponsors the Business of the Year award each spring. The business is selected through a nomination process by the Economic Development Advisory Committee, which is comprised of public officials and business leaders located in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. Only businesses located in those counties are eligible. For more information, visit our website at www.northerntier.org.

TWIGS RESTAURANT AND CAFE IS 2005 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – NON-MANUFACTURER

The 2005 Business of the Year, Twigs Restaurant and Café, was honored at the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission’s annual meeting held on April 25TH at the VFW in Montrose. Kevin Abrams, Executive Director of NTRPDC, presented a plaque and a $1,500 check to owners Jerry and Lori Bogedin.

Twigs, located at 1 East Tioga Street in Tunkhannock, has grown into one of the region’s best restaurants with the best cuisine. The food on their extensive menu is freshly prepared by professionally trained chefs and served in their quaint dining areas. They were selected as the Business of the Year because of their growth, leadership, and community involvement.

It takes a lot to make a restaurant thrive and the Bogedins’ managerial style and love for the community is directly related to their success. They work together with their staff to support the community through fundraisers and donations of money, food, and time. An annual fundraiser is held in honor of the victims of 9/11. It started out as an effort to raise college funds for the children effected by the victims of 9/11 and since then has grown into support for local organizations including the Triton Hose Fire Company, the Endless Mountains Habitat for Humanity and the local Ambulance Company. This is just one of the many examples of their community support.

"Jerry and I have tried to actively be part of our community…we are part of this town, its people, their lives and their hopes and dreams." Said Lori Bogedin.

The Bogedins also credit their staff for their success. Many have been with Twigs from the start or for many years. A majority work part-time while working their way through college.

"If these young adults are an example of our future, then I believe we are in good hands." Said Ms. Bogedin. "I believe there is great teamwork at this restaurant and that is not easily accomplished in the restaurant business". She continued.

The Bogedins are keeping quiet about specific plans for the future but they do say that there are some changes and surprises anticipated. We look forward to seeing what happens next.

Recent business financing project included four loans to small businesses totaling $409,000. Twenty jobs were created and nine were retained as a result of this funding.

Lizza Computer Graphic’s Inc. located in Tunkhannock, recently received a $25,000 Small Business Loan. This thriving small business services the very specialized national market of digital fine art reproduction. It is also a gallery that features local, national, and international artwork. This is the second time owner Bob Lizza has worked with NTRPDC to help him stay ahead of the competition.

“I cannot say enough about the efficiency and ease of doing business with NTRPDC.” Said Mr. Lizza.

“As with all of our experience with NTRPDC the timing was perfect and allowed us to quickly capitalize on several pieces of key equipment to improve our efficiency and capabilities.” He added.

The Small Business Loan Program through the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC) can lend up to $25,000 for small business projects. Two jobs were retained as a result of this project.

A.J. Quiz, LLC recently received a $38,000 Tri-District Revolving Loan to help open the new Quiznos Subs in Wysox.

Quiznos is located on SR Route 6 in Wysox. They plan to hire twenty part-time employees.

The Tri-District Revolving Loan Fund provides financial assistance to small business projects in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. The loan amount is $100,000 or 50% of the total eligible costs, whichever is less. Please contact NTRPDC toll-free at 888-868-8800 for eligibility requirements and guidelines.

Bishcroft Farm, LLC received a $200,000 Small Business First Loan to expand their Roaring Branch dairy farm.

The farm, owned by the Bishop family, has been in operation since 1989 and is a true family owned and operated business. The Small Business First loan is part of a much larger expansion project and will be used to purchase milking equipment so they can expand their dairy operations to 770 milking cows. They currently have five employees.

Small Business First provides low-interest loan financing for businesses with 100 employees or less. Agricultural related enterprises have recently become eligible for the funding. The maximum loan amount is $200,000 or forty percent of total eligible costs, whichever is less. It can be used for land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment, working capital (maximum amount $100,000) and environmental compliance. Small Business First funds are made possible through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Tice Dairy Farm in Wyalusing recently received a $146,000 First Industries Fund loan to expand their farm with assistance from the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC).

The First Industries Fund is a loan program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s agricultural and tourism industries. As the Area Loan Organization, NTRPDC packages the loans for the Northern Tier Region. The maximum amount is $200,000 or forty percent of the total eligible project costs, whichever is less.

“This is the first time we have closed a First Industries Fund agriculture loan in our region,” said Paulette Potter, Loan Program Manager for NTRPDC. “In the past, agricultural operations were not eligible for traditional economic development assistance programs, however they have finally realized that their success is integral to Pennsylvania’s overall economic growth and have started to target funding specifically toward them,” she added.

Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is the fourth largest in the country. Milk production accounts for $1.5 billion in income. The annual economic impact on the local economy of just one cow is $13,737, according to the Center for Dairy Excellence.

This year, two businesses will be recognized as the 2005 Business of the Year. Nominations will be accepted until March 31st, 2006. "We are going to recognize a manufacturer and a non-manufacturer this year" said Jill Koski, Economic Development Program Manager. "Over the years, we have come to realize that it is difficult to compare a manufacturer with a service based business, for example."

Each winner will receive a $1,500 cash award and will be honored at NTRPDC's Annual Meeting in April. Following are the rules and nomination form. Please e-mail Jill Koski at koski@northerntier.org. with questions.

Pure Pennsylvania, with locations in Great Bend and Towanda, 2004 Business of the Year