Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

It has been an exciting week here at Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP)!

Deb Heffner and Aaron Costenbader of GREP made their way down to Philadelphia to represent the Greater Reading region in the PA booth at the 2012 Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East Expo this week.  They were among some friends from the Greater Reading region; Angiotech, Brentwood, GenPore, Judson Smith and Heyco Metals were some of the local companies that also made the trip to the expo.

Visit theMD&M East show website to learn more by clicking here.

We at GREP were excited to see that two of our members made the news this week. The Rose Corp and Reading Air Charter each received recognition by the Reading Eagle this week. 

Elaine McDevitt, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of The Rose Corp was pictured in the Reading Eagle this week. The article associated with the picture highlighted alterations The Rose Corp made to their operation strategy in efforts to ensure the survival of the 25 year old corporation in difficult economic times. Also discussed in the article, other local small businesses that are credited a being a big success.

Click here to read the article about GREP member, TheRose Corp.

Another article in the Reading Eagle this week highlighted and discussed the efforts and progress made by Robert H. Kline and David H. Wediler of Reading Air Charter to bring a local charter service to the Reading Regional Airport.  Now offering private charter flights for business or pleasure, Reading Air Charter is pleased to present an alternative to the Greater Reading region for travel arrangements.

Click here to read the article about GREP member. ReadingAir Charter.

Also in the news this week, Steve Cygan, president and CEO of Appeeling Fruit Inc.  GREP has worked with Appeeling Fruit Inc. previously and is proud to see the continued success of this Berks County company.

Click here to read the conversation between Steve Cygan and the Reading Eagle.

For more information on the Greater Reading region visit GreaterReading.com

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES

Maple Grove Raceway is one of the many recreational attractions in the Greater Reading region.  Celebrating their 50^th anniversary in business this year, they are a staple in the region.  Before the site was known as Maple Grove Raceway, it was home of the Brecknock Speedway.  Brecknock Speeway was in operation from 1937-1942.  In 1962 Maple Grove Raceway began operating under the ownership of the Stauffer family and has clearly stood the test of time ever since.  Extensions to the track, expansions to the facilities and a strong fan following makes Maple Grove Raceway a favorite past time of many locals and tourist alike.

They fire up the engines every weekend between April and November, and this weekend they are having a special event.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series presented by Penske Truck Leasing.

DATES: May 25-May 27, 2012

LOCATION: Maple Grove Raceway, 30 Stauffer Park Lane, Mohnton, 19540

PHONE: (610) 856.9200




To find out more information about the racing series click here


Learn more about the Greater Reading region by visiting GreaterReading.com

Did you know??

Pennsylvania was recently ranked 8^th on the list of Top Ten Competitive States of 2011 by the Site Selection magazine. States were ranked by competitiveness according to an overall score that was determined based on a number of different criteria. Criteria such as, new and expanded facilities, capital investments in new and expanded facilities, new jobs created, and performance in the Beacon Hill Institute’s State Competitiveness Index as well as state unemployment rates were among those examined. Virginia worked their way up from the number two spot they were in the previous year to claim the prized number one position. These findings show what we at Great Reading Economic Partnership already know, contact us to learn more about why Pennsylvania is the right competitive state to start or grow your business.  

To learn more about the Great Reading region, visit GreatReating.com

If you would like to see the rest of the article, click the link below.

Top Competitive States, 2011 | Site Selection Online

Medical Design & Manufacturing East Expo

For companies that seek a promising location to grow their business, Greater Reading is a smart and competitive choice that delivers not only an affordable location, but also a diverse, proactive community built to help your business achieve great things.

Aaron Costenbader of Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) will be representing the Greater Reading community at the Medical Design & Manufacturing East (MD&M East) show today; thanks to a partial sponsorship from First Energy.  Aaron will be at the PA booth to promote awareness of the many advantages the Greater Reading region has to offer the industry in addition to supporting our local medical device and manufacturing companies and the local companies that support them.

2011 PA Booth at MD&M Expo: Doug Myers of First Energy & Deb Heffner of GREP

This year the exposition is being held at the Philadelphia Convention Center from May 22^st to the 24th.  The expo offers individuals in the field an accommodating opportunity to learn about the latest developments in technology, to exchange experiences and network with peers and colleagues, as well as engage in product sourcing.

Visit the MD&M East show website to learn more by clicking here.

Visit GreaterReading.com for more information on the Greater Reading region.

Membership Monday

Featuring:  

Berks Fire and Water Restorations 



Click here to watch a video about Berks-Fire-Water Restoration, Inc. 
















We thank Berks-Fire-Water Restoration, Inc. for being a 
Small Business/Individual Level, Greater Reading Economic Partnership Membership Investor. 

Visit GreaterReading.com for more information about becoming a Member Investor.

Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

The Reading Eagle published two articles this week regarding the Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BCIDA).  BCIDA was originally created in 1969 with the “purpose of promoting and developing commercial, industrial and manufacturingenterprises and encouraging employment within the County of Berks”.  The latest news coming from BCIDA is that they are backing an expansion project for Muhlenberg Township’s, Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc. The expansion project is projected to create roughly 15 new positions for the company that currently has 25 employees.  The other article published the following day announced that, “Two Fortune 500 companies are working on agreements to build and open distribution warehouses in Berks Park 78 in Bethel Township”.  Between the construction labor required for development of the site and the expectations for the use of the site once completed, the Berks Park 78 project, if launched, is estimated to provide approximately 1,700 jobs in the Greater Reading region.

To read the Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc expansion article click here.
To read the Berks Park 78 article click here.

Visit GreaterReading.com for more information on the Greater Reading region.

LOVE WEST READING BLOCK PARTY

DATE & TIME: Friday, May 18, 2012 from 5-8pm (Rain or Shine).

LOCATION: Penn Avenue, West Reading

ADMISSION: FREE!

PHONE: 610-685-8854

DETAILS: Enjoy live entertainment, food and fun along Penn Avenue.




For more information about the block party click here