« Erie PA News and Events for Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday January 21, 2008 | Main | Erie YouTube of the Week: Rough Seas »
Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday January 22, 2008
Posted by Dennis on January 22, 2008
eBizITPA and the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) released a study EVERYONE in Northwest Pennsylvania needs to read and take to heart. Erie workers are behind most the nation, and even most areas in Pennsylvania, and to catch up we have to embrace technology. The press release:
If a region wants to become more competitive, improve its attractiveness to manufacturers, and increase manufacturing jobs, it should take advantage of programs and opportunities to expand the percentage of skilled IT workers who live in the region, according to a recent study on manufacturing productivity conducted by James A Kurre, PhD.
The study, “The Impact of Information Technology on Metro Manufacturing Productivity,” commissioned by the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA), was based on federal government statistics in the 272 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA’s) across the country for which this data was available. It found that in 2002, the latest year for which information is available, the presence of a large number of highly skilled IT workers was one of four key variables that correlated with higher manufacturing productivity. Other important variables included the amount of capital investment; innovation as measured by new patents; and percentage of overall workforce with bachelor’s degrees.
“Because eBizITPA was created specifically to improve IT skills in Pennsylvania, we needed to know the relative value of improved IT proficiency in economic development,” noted Susan Breon, President of Erie based eBizITPA. “This study indicates that the areas in which we have focused since our founding in 2002 should help Erie and the other regions in Pennsylvania improve in this important measurement.”
In 2002 a dozen Pennsylvania communities ranked low relative to other US MSA’s reviewed, as defined by the value added (VA) for each hour worked by a production worker in manufacturing industries (excluding any other costs/inputs in the process). The national average for VA of each hour worked was $93.38 for all 359 metro areas, $135.18 for the top third of the metro areas and $60.15 for the lowest third. All of Pennsylvania’s VA Rankings can be found in the below (Rank / 2002 VA per Hour / Metro Area):
58, $125.84, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington; 73, $112.72, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton; 130, $95.41, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre; 152, $91.43, Lancaster; 186, $82.64, Harrisburg-Carlisle; 190, $81.97, Pittsburgh; 197, $80.94, Youngstown-Warren-Boardman; 222, $74.81, York-Hanover; 231, $73.79, Reading; 244, $71.74, Williamsport; 249, $71.20, Erie; 254, $70.47, Altoona; 263, $68.86, State College; 297, $62.81, Johnstown; and 318, $57.54, Lebanon.
According to Breon, the results demonstrate that manufacturing productivity is likely to be higher where there are a greater percentage of IT workers in a metro area, particularly high skilled IT workers such as computer and information systems managers, electrical and electronics engineers, computer software engineers and programmers, database administrators, computer hardware engineers, and post secondary computer science instructors.
Breon also noted that studies of productivity, including this one, indicate that productivity growth does not necessarily bring about decreased employment in an industry, even if that productivity is the result of adding technology. In many cases, adding technology results in greater time efficiencies, fewer errors and leaner processes — all factors that can lead to lower labor costs and therefore increased competitiveness.
eBizITPA has provided funding for internships and apprenticeships in information technology, computer science and engineering, business intelligence and related e-commerce. The apprenticeship program has given 55 new graduates opportunities to work in Pennsylvania companies. Fifty apprentices have completed the program and 41 of them have landed permanent positions in these fields. eBizITPA has also sponsored 50 internships over the past 5 years.
“In addition eBizITPA has provided over $700,000 in competitive grants that encourage small businesses to implement IT investment projects that have stimulated more than $8 million in direct regional IT investment. Nearly 300 companies and organizations have participated,” noted Breon.
As a follow-up to this study - which assesses the relative value of IT to economic development competitiveness - eBizITPA has commissioned an additional study that measures the direct impact of eBizITPA’s efforts to date in the Commonwealth. The results of that study are expected to be available later this month.
“Much of our work has been in response to feedback from the IT community and our small business customers as well as our economic development partners. Dr Kurre’s study is an additional confirmation that the direct investments in people and information technology development that we have stimulated over the past five years are contributing to the survival and/or growth of regional companies through greater productivity,” concluded Breon.
Twenty-one years ago today on January 22, 1987, Pennsylvania Treasurer R Budd Dwyer committed suicide at a press conference. Dwyer took a $300,000 kickback from a company he helped get a state contract. The suicide happened just days before he was to be sentenced. The sentencing would have voided his state retirement benefits but his family received $1.28 million in survivor benefits. Here’s the video.
It’s Winter. Jeff at Erie Shipping News has pics of ships in Presque Isle Bay encased in ice. And there are now ice dunes on the beaches of Presque Isle State Park.
New Music today on 90.5 FM WERG - “Falling Down” by Atreyu (not their strongest song), “Guilt By Association” by Louis XIV and “Lake Michigan” by Rouge Wave (catchy tune, but a song about outsourcing?). This week old favorites returning from: Blink 182, Blue October, The Call, and INXS.
Eugene ‘Gene’ C Connell, senior vice president and division officer, actuarial division, Erie Insurance, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Connell served as Highway Loss Data Institute chairman in 2007 and will continue to serve as a Board member.
AK Steel Corp announced that Dennis Cuneo was elected to a seat on its board of directors. Cuneo is currently an attorney with the law firm Arent Fox in Washington, DC. Prior to that, he was senior vice president for Toyota North America before he retired. Cuneo earned a bachelor’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pa, an MBA from Kent State University and his law degree from Loyola University.
Jared Doutt, a 10 year old student at Grandview Elementary in Erie Pa, won the NFL Play 60 Challenge. Entrants had to commit themselves to 60 minutes of activity each day. With the win Jared gets tickets to the Super Bowl. Jared will attend the Feb 3 game with his mother and grandpa, who will have to pay for his own ticket. Unlike others in the stands, the boy won’t be just another spectator. He has been assigned a special role: He will hand the game ball to the referee before kickoff.
The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team won their sixth straight game with a convincing 68-47 conference win over Pitt-Bradford in the Junker Center on Monday night. The 21 point victory keeps Behrend’s home mark an unblemished 8-0 this season. With the win Behrend improves to 12-3 and 6-2 in the rugged AMCC.
Mercyhurst sophomore forward Meghan Agosta capped a sensational weekend by being named College Hockey America (CHA) Offensive Player of the Week. Freshman winger Jesse Scanzano picked up Rookie of the Week honors as the Lakers solidified their hold on sixth place in the latest USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll. The separate announcements came from the CHA conference office in Detroit and the USCHO headquarters in Minneapolis.
Three new exhibits with the theme of art and technology will be presented in Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries at Allegheny College Tuesday, Jan 22 through Wednesday, March 5. The exhibits include one-person exhibits by Carlos Rosas and Doug Loewen and the group exhibit “Big Food Pictures.” In conjunction with the opening, on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 7 pm in the lecture room adjoining the Art Galleries, Carlos Rosas, associate professor of art at Pennsylvania State University’s main campus, will present a lecture, illustrated with slides, discussing projects in which he has integrated art and technology in a variety of ways. A reception will follow. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-5 pm; Saturday, 1:30-5 pm; and Sunday, 2-4 pm. All events are FREE and open to the public. The Art Galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please call ahead to verify; programs are subject to change. The Art Galleries are located in Doane Hall of Art, east of North Main Street, between College and John Streets. For more information, call (814) 332-4365.
Daniel S Mead, president of Verizon Services Corp, will discuss how creation of a centralized business services unit saved the telecommunications giant $562 million in one year during an upcoming presentation for the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Mead, a Warren native and member of the college’s Council of Fellows, will speak at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 22, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to his talk is free and open to the public.
The Cleveland Indians Caravan will be rolling into Erie January 23, 2008 at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute, 136 East Avenue. Doors open at 5 pm with a trivia contest and plenty of food and beverage. Cleveland Indians’ players, coaches and media staff will arrive at 6:30 pm to entertain Erie’s Tribe faithful, to answer fan’s questions and present a highlight film from last year’s baseball season. A donation of $8 per ticket will benefit programs at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute. Tickets are available now through January 23rd at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) or at Hector’s Cafe, W 18th and Liberty Streets. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of January 23, if available.
The 2008 Erie RV, Camping and Powersport Expo will be held January 23-27 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Wed 4-9 pm, Thurs Noon-9 pm, Fri 10 an to 8 pm and Sun 10 am to 5 pm. Free admission and free parking.
The Economic Development Corporation of Erie County is hosting its 26th Annual Employer of the Year Awards dinner at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center on Thursday, January 24. Cocktail at 5:45 pm with the dinner at 6:30 pm. Presentations will be made to recognize 42 Honor Roll companies that made significant investments in 2007 through capital investment, utilization of new technologies and job creation. In addition, the prestigious 2007 Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing Employer of the Year Awards will be presented to two local firms that have demonstrated a commitment to the community through continued investment and ultimate economic impact. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Economic Development Corporation at (814) 899-6022, fax (814) 899-0250.
The Mercyhurst Preparatory School Performing Arts Department presents Our Town Thursday Jan 24 at 8 pm, Friday Jan 25 at 8 pm, Saturday Jan 26 at 8 pm and Sunday Jan 27 at 3 pm.
The Erie Broadway Series presents Chicago at the Warner Theater on Thurs Jan 24 at 7:30 pm.
eMarketing Special Interest Group (eM SIG) Project of the Technology Industry Parternship NWPA will hold their initial meeting on Thurs Jan 25 at the National City Bank Community, Room 801, State St. The eM SIG is a group of marketing professionals, practitioners, academics and others interested in the topic who come together to network and share ideas about the challenges of electronic marketing. The initial meeting of the eM SIG will address findings of a recently conducted needs assessment, curriculum plans for the eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA, eMarketing training grant eligibility opportunities and the launch of the eM SIG web site. Please RSVP to Nick Kosanovich to reserve your seat.
Glass Growers Gallery at 10 East Fifth St in Erie will be hosting an exhibit called ‘Spirital Thresholds’ by Annoel Krider. Color and design blend with tradition and balance in the southwestern inspired weavings of this fiber artist who also creates mixes-media objects and sculptures to further refine her vision. There will be an artists reception on Friday Jan 25 from 6-9 pm. The exhibit will be on display Jan 25 to March 11.
Exhibition opening receptions and other gallery activities are planned for Gallery Night on Friday, Jan 25 from 7-10 pm at the Erie Art Museum, Glass Growers Gallery, Urraro Gallery, Cummings Gallery at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College, Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Kuhn’s Framing and Gift Gallery, and ClaySpace. EMTA will provide FREE Bayliner trolley transportation, courtesy of the galleries, from 7-10:30 pm. Service will be provided every 45-minutes; a route map is available in advance at all participating galleries. “We’ve been organizing a Gallery Night for one year now. And with each evening, we gain attendance - particularly from new patrons - and new galleries join us. This effort continues to be tremendously successful,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum. Galleries will also offer $50 gift certificates as incentives for patrons visiting as many galleries as they can in the evening. Gallery Night is organized by the Erie Art Museum.
The 25th annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games 5-mile Cross-Country Ski Race or 2.5-mile Snowshoe is now scheduled to take place Jan 27, 2008, at 1 pm at the Peek n’ Peak Upper Golf Course, in Clymer, NY.
Your Day In Court: An Internet Security Workshop features William Shore of the Pittsburgh FBI office. The workshop will be held Noon-3 pm on Thursday, Jan 31 at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center; 7792 Peach Street in Erie. After a security breach, it is often too late to back track, recreate and document the environment in which the security breach occurred. From a strategic management viewpoint, this pitfall is often fatal. In court proceedings, the lack of defendable evidence can impact the success of litigation and create liability issues for your organization. This workshop is specifically designed to explain what steps should be taken following a security breach. Click here to register. This event is sponsored by: Software Technology Concepts, eBizITPA, the FBI and the Technology Council of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Young Erie Professionals (yep!) Professional Leadership Development committee will host an Etiquette Dinner on Thursday, January 31 from 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm at the Colony Banquet and Catering facility, 3014 West 12th Street. Cathy Mester, senior lecturer in speech communication at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will discuss dinner etiquette and appropriate conversation. A three-course meal will be provided by the Colony Pub and Grille. Dinner choices are Prime Rib, Apricot Chicken, and Broiled Sole. The dress code is business casual. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. The charge for the presentation, meal, and gratuity is $25 for yep! members and $35 for non-members, payable by credit card, cash, or check made payable to Young Erie Professionals. Contact Phil Gallagher for additional information or to make a reservation.
Darkwood Consort, the world’s only touring viola and bass clarinet duo, brings an impressive repertoire spanning 10 centuries of music to its February performance at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Darkwood’s concert takes place at noon on Thursday, February 7, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. The performance is sponsored by Music at Noon: The Logan Series and admission is FREE to the public.
The 6th annual “Spirit Against Cancer” Dance and Cheerleading Competition is scheduled for February 9 at 10 am in the Junker Center. “Spirit Against Cancer” was created in memory of Becky Hubler Decker. Her commitment to the community included serving as dance coach at Penn State Behrend, cheerleading coach at Edinboro University, she was captain of the Invaderettes dance team, and a member of the Buffalo Bills (Jills) dance team. All proceeds from this special event will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, please contact Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Stacy Pondo at (814) 898-6240 or by email at slp15@psu.edu.
The 2008 Erie Home and Garden Expo will be held February 21-24 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Thursday 4-9 pm, Friday 2-9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8:30 pm and Sun 11 am to 5 pm.
The 2008 Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held February 29 - March 2 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Noon-9 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday and 10 am-5 pm Sunday.
Erie CareerLink is hosting Crystal Reports Training in both introductory and advanced sessions on March 3-6. Info and Registration form. Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources. Several other applications, such as Microsoft Visual Studio, bundle an OEM version of Crystal Reports as a general purpose reporting tool. Crystal Reports became THE report writer when Microsoft released it with Visual Basic.
Pennsylvania Sea Grant is sponsoring a FREE one and a half day workshop March 13-14 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie. The workshop will provide an update and overview of current ballast water policy, legislation and research as it applies to the Great Lakes. Scientists, legal experts, legislators, industry personnel and agency staff will discuss the current state of ballast water policy, pending legislation, proposed ballast water treatment methods and evaluating the current risk of introduction and spread of AIS to Great Lakes ports by foreign and domestic ships. For Registration form email Karla Kaczmarek, or Marti Martz.
The GE (NYSE: GE) 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on April 23, 2008 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.
There will be a Rust Belt Bloggers Summit on July 11-12 in Erie. People from Youngstown, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other area cities will be attendance to discuss economic development issues in the region.
Posted by Dennis at January 22, 2008 7:02 AM
Add a
link and graphic to your site to show that you're from Erie. Meet new peeps, share you thoughts on our fair city, do whatever you like.
