|
County Launches Westmoreland Manufacturers' Bulletin Board
On-Line Forum Promotes Business-to-Business Manufacturing Opportunities
Posted 9-19-07
The Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation
(WCIDC), in conjunction with its public and private sector
partners, today launched the Westmoreland Manufacturers'
Bulletin Board -- an on-line forum to promote
business-to-business manufacturing opportunities in the county
and region.
The site --
www.westmorelandmanufacturing.com -- was unveiled today
during an event with business and community leaders at the
Westmoreland County Community College.
"We recognize the need for local manufacturers
to have business-to-business opportunities in order to succeed
in the county and the region," said County Commissioner Tom
Balya, who also serves as WCIDC Chairman. "This new site gives
local manufacturers the opportunity to easily interface with
potential partners and grow their business.
"We've proven in Westmoreland County that a
proactive government can indeed play a role in facilitating
business development. The Westmoreland Manufacturing Bulletin
Board is a fine compliment to the county's successful Business
Retention and Expansion Program."
Designed with the assistance of public partners
and the manufacturers' community, the Westmoreland
Manufacturers' Bulletin Board is an on-line forum for advancing
manufacturing opportunities. There is a section for a company's
profile, a section for buying or selling equipment and even a
section for government procurement. The emphasis is on the
manufacturing community and promoting business-to-business.
Typically companies find each other by
word-of-mouth referrals. Often, as a result of the county's
outreach visits, business opportunities lead to local company
pairings. But the time involved in tracking down those leads can
be very time consuming. And many times, larger employers looking
to outsource work are unaware of all of the local companies that
would capably take more work.
The Westmoreland Manufacturers' Bulletin Board
offers a real-time solution to the demands of today's
"just-in-time" business approach.
"Being able to find local business will keep
money in the area and may increase local jobs, not to mention
save my company transportation and time costs," said Terry
Painter of Painter Tool in North Huntingdon. Mr. Painter
approached the PA Careerlink Westmoreland County staff last year
with the request to formalize a local business-to-business
network.
"The Westmoreland Manufacturers' Bulletin Board
addresses a need by presenting an opportunity for our county
manufacturers to network with each other in promoting and
keeping business in Westmoreland County and Western
Pennsylvania", said Tony Gebicki, Site Manager for the PA
Careerlink Westmoreland County.
Joining Westmoreland County Commissioners Tom
Balya, Tom Ceraso and Phil Light in this effort is the PA
Careerlink Westmoreland County, the Westmoreland-Fayette
Workforce Investment Board, the Private Industry Council of
Westmoreland-Fayette, the Office of Congressman Tim Murphy, and
the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program.
The Bulletin Board is the latest effort by
Westmoreland County government to facilitate business
development. The WCIDC oversees the county's Business Retention
and Expansion Program, visiting more than 100 companies every
year to help local companies grow and succeed. In addition, the
county offers a full menu of industrial sites through a network
of industrial parks, and helps companies secure grants and low
interest through its private sector partner, the Economic Growth
Connection.
For more information about the Westmoreland
County Industrial Development Corporation, visit the IDC through
the Westmoreland County homepage at
www.co.westmoreland.pa.us (keyword: IDC). |
