杜布瓦,爸爸. — 笑鸮出版社 in Kane is developing software that brings digital convenience to high-end letterpress printed products. 维尔德斯阳光工厂 is distilling a new spirit derived from a sunflower plant grown solely in the 宾西法尼亚 Wilds region.
These are two of many startups and small manufacturers creating new products, processes or applications in North Central 宾西法尼亚.
去年11月，在白宫举办的一场活动上 中北部PA发射箱 powered by 365英国上市杜波依斯分校, these startup companies won $30,000 and $20,000, respectively, in Ben Franklin Technology Partners“大创意大赛”. 笑鸮出版社 went on to receive an investment of $40,000 from the Ben Franklin program which will enable them to further update their processes.
地区-卡梅伦, 号角, 明显差异, 麋鹿, 杰佛逊, 麦克基恩, Potter Counties — is in need of an economic boost. The 中北部PA发射箱 (NCPA) is helping to provide it.
NCPA opened its 5,800-square-foot facility in November 2019. Located in the renovated Old Deposit Bank Building on East Long Avenue in 杜波依斯, it’s one of 21 宾西法尼亚 innovation hubs seeded by the 创造365英国上市 倡议.
The public-private partnership facility is a shining example of regional economic development collaboration with 48 entities providing a spectrum of resources — patent assistance, 创业, 选址, 生产的改进, 劳动力发展. In addition to Ben Franklin, collaborators include the Small Business 发展 Center at 号角 University, 市区杜波依斯公司., 分数, PA荒野, other economic development organizations and municipalities.
Already NCPA has served 40 clients — generating an estimated $10 million in economic impact for the region.
“We’ve conducted more than 20 trainings for startups and existing companies looking to expand their operations,LaunchBox总监说道 布拉德·拉辛斯基. “We’ve conducted 30 community speaking engagements, 活动中心已经订满了, 我们正在为创客空间做准备, 位于 365英国上市杜波依斯分校 校园.”
In January, NCPA began offering Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator@杜波依斯这是一个为期10周的创业训练营. The six participating teams pitched their business concepts to a team of local judges in March in hopes of winning up to $10,000.
Unique to NCPA is its work to advance technologies for regional powdered metal manufacturers. The LaunchBox also facilitates programming for industrial research and development and technical training for employers to modernize their understanding of automation 劳动力发展.
In October 2019, NCPA, through its alignment with the 宾西法尼亚 Department of Community and Economic 发展, clearfiel县，获颁 Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant 金额为725,850美元. The grant will be used for equipment in four locations, as well as training, R&D和创客空间.
The LaunchBox already is supporting innovations, like an equipotential grounding system for mobile operations to help protect personnel and equipment from static and stray electricity, an artificial intelligence vision system to inspect parts produced by powdered metal manufacturers.
In addition to helping local manufacturers advance their competitive prowess, the 中北部PA发射箱 is supporting the 杜波依斯学区， 它收到了 PA智能补助金 to develop an innovative entrepreneurship curriculum. The school is equipping local powdered metal fabricators and manufacturers and other businesses with GoPro cameras that can stream footage to local high schools with the goal of inspiring student interest in entrepreneurship and/or local employment. Partners also are showcasing businesses throughout their downtown to teach students about small business entrepreneurship.
“We are helping today’s students become the vital workforce for tomorrow,” said Lashinsky. ”,, we are helping local companies transition from old manufacturing processes to advanced automation, as well as helping to reignite the downtown areas with boutique businesses that are the fabric of their communities.”
