DCED Secretary Davin to Continue 'Jobs that Pay' Tour at PSU-Technology Center Incubator in State College, Highlighting Entrepreneurship

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin today continued the 'Jobs that Pay' tour at PSU-Technology Center Incubator, part of Penn State's Innovation Park network that offers business support to early-stage entrepreneurs, inventors, and Penn State faculty.

"Governor Wolf has placed an emphasis on fostering the continued growth and achievement of Pennsylvania's entrepreneurs," said Sec. Davin. "Incubators are excellent resources in reaching this goal because they provide an array of business services and support including physical working space, capital, coaching, and networking connections, which can set young entrepreneurial efforts off on a path to success."

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA helps support the efforts of the PSU-Technology Center Incubator by providing funding and business mentoring to the Incubator's tenants.

"As the largest early-stage investor in the region, Ben Franklin makes investments not only in the new technologies developed by the startups and small manufacturers located in our footprint, but also in innovative business support programs including our Ben Franklin TechCelerator@State College and the PSU-Technology Center Incubator," said Stephen Brawley, president and CEO of The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA. "We are pleased that many of our TechCelerator graduates take the next step in moving their business forward by availing themselves of the services and space provided by the Incubator."

Innovation Park at Penn State, where the Ben Franklin supported business incubation program is located in the Technology Center Building, is an ecosystem where business, education, and research come together. It offers 118-acres of office, manufacturing, and research space, and is part of one of the world's premier research institutions, with access to Penn State's scientific, engineering, technology, and business resources, as well as the support services. 

"Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development, Penn State, Ben Franklin, the SBDC, and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County have been collaborating to incubate new businesses in this region since 1987," said Dan Leri, director of Innovation Park. "Centre County companies such as Restek, Sound Technology, Schoolwires, Real Time Devices, and Mission Critical are just a few of the many successes of a long-term incubation effort in the region who have created hundreds of technology based jobs. There are very few technology based entities in this area that have not been accelerated or nurtured by the quiet efforts of these collaborators. It's a grind to start and grow a business. It's imperative the folks supporting our farm team companies have resources and a long-term trusting relationship. The state, through Ben Franklin and complimentary DCED programs, has been a champ in its support of our communities."

The largest early-stage seed investor in the region, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA — an initiative of the Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) — provides funding, operational assistance, and business support services to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing manufacturers for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania.

Recognized nationally and internationally as a model for technology-based economic development, the BFTDA ensures that the variety of technology-based economic development organizations and initiatives throughout the commonwealth are working collaboratively to fully leverage the wealth of research, capital sources and support services available to build a comprehensive infrastructure that supports company growth.

The 'Jobs that Pay' tour is an effort by state agencies to promote good-paying, family-sustaining jobs and career-paths available to job-seekers across the commonwealth, and to listen and learn from employers and employees about workforce development needs.

For more information about DCED, visit dced.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: David Misner, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Related Links

http://dced.pa.gov/