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04-05-02
NEW BEN FRANKLIN CENTER IN KNOWLEDGE PARK
DESIGNED TO CREATE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY JOBS
Governor Mark Schweiker today announced that the Commonwealth would establish a fifth Ben Franklin Technology Center serving Northwest Pennsylvania, helping to create 1,500 new jobs over the next 10 years.
"By establishing a new Center for Excellence, Pennsylvania has the ability to revolutionize the speed with which companies can manufacture products," said Gov. Mark Schweiker.
"This Ben Franklin will help level the e-business playing field in Northwest Pennsylvania by establishing a facility that will expand technology growth in partnership with the technology-leading firms of Northwest Pennsylvania, universities and economic development partners," Schweiker said.
Gov. Schweiker was joined by Pennsylvania State Senator Jane Earll; Dr. Jack Burke, interim provost and dean, Penn State Erie; and Rick Schenker, Erie County Executive.
The initial focus of this Ben Franklin will be to concentrate on expanding the application and development of electronic supply chain management - the cornerstone of successful e-Business. A cooperative team, including experts from Penn State Erie and GE Transportation Systems, will be established to: foster the growth of local companies in e-Business training and consulting; facilitate best practice sharing; and create a pool of experienced computer programmers.
"Over the next ten years, this initiative will seek to create over 1,500 new, high technology jobs in Northwest Pennsylvania," said Schweiker. "I am proud to present the state's support of this public/private partnership--a partnership that works for Pennsylvania."
A Center of Excellence will also be launched focused on developing the next generation of information technologies, such as remote diagnostics. This Center of Excellence will bring together the region's universities, with participation by Carnegie Mellon University.
The state investment includes $3 million in annual Ben Franklin funding, which will support information technology development, e-training and outreach programs for local businesses, and the creation of a Center of Excellence focused on remote diagnostic technologies.
Remote diagnostics involves the use of advanced computing sensor technology and artificial intelligence systems. This technology is expected to revolutionize a host of products ranging from locomotives and airplanes to automobiles.
Gov. Schweiker noted that technology organizations such as GE Transportation Systems, Distributed Network Software, Stargate and Penn State Erie, as well as the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, have all expressed their support and are working in partnership with the Governor's office to launch the initiative.
"By relying on the e-Business expertise of some of the leading Erie businesses, and creating a partnership with local universities, the Ben Franklin will achieve a mix of public/private collaboration and local/global knowledge to give Northwest Pennsylvania a jump start in information technology excellence."
The Northwest initiative will seek to capitalize on GE's technology base and university partners to grow and attract companies focused on the market. The initiative will also capitalize on $20 million of information technology investments by GE Transportation Systems.
The Ben Franklin will be located at the Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie and will leverage the existing facilities already in place there.
"One of our most important community collaborations is Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie," said Dr. Burke, "which provides the cutting-edge infrastructure that allows organizations to make full use of the research centers and educational resources at Penn State Erie and other colleges and universities in the area. This project is a perfect fit for Penn State Erie and the region."
The existing Ben Franklin of Northern and Central Pennsylvania will continue to provide its full complement of financing services to businesses and entrepreneurs in Northwestern Pennsylvania during a transition period.
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