Harrisburg Market KIZ

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Harrisburg Market KIZ Hosts Business Plan Learning Seminar for Student Entrepreneurs

On January 16 th at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, about 30 undergraduate and graduate students assembled to hear lectures and ask advice on the intricacies of crafting a successful business plan. Hosted by the Harrisburg Market KIZ in correlation with its annual College Venture Challenge Business Plan Competition, students received a wealth of knowledge from 4 business experts representing a variety of professional and entrepreneurial experience. Chris Rockey and Rick Foster of PNC kicked off the seminar with discussion about bank perspective on business plans and business startups. Jill Edwards of the Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum followed with a presentation on the structure of a business plan and the venture perspective on new business ideas. The final speaker of the event was Anne Deeter Gallaher of ADG Marketing Communications. Anne spoke to her experience as an entrepreneur and what startups need to consider when marketing their new business venture.

Attendees left the seminar with a number of questions for the presenters and with an obvious excitement to embark on their own business ventures; now fully informed about what it takes to write a successful business plan. With cash and service prizes on the line, students will submit their concept papers by February 7 th and should their plan pass the first round of cuts; a complete business plan of their proposed venture will be due on March 17 th. For anyone interested in attending the final presentations of the top selected business plans the event will take place on April 29 th. More details to follow on the College Venture Challenge section of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber website.

Harrisburg Market KIZ provides funding for Artisan Marketplace of PerryCounty

The 3rd annual Artisan Marketplace of Perry County has once again opened to the public thanks to the partnership of HACC's Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and the Perry County Council of the Arts. The event is going on now until December 22 nd, showcasing the works of over 30 regional artisans. Works of jewelry, glass, wood, paintings, pottery, purses and more will be on display and available for purchase from the local artisans. For more information on the Perry County Council of the Arts gallery in Newport, PA visit the Council's Website.

The Harrisburg Market KIZ is proud to help sponsor participating artisans that might not otherwise have a chance to display their works at such a recognized venue. Support of the Artisan Marketplace is part of the KIZ's Rural Outreach Program, designed to reach out to women in rural areas of Perry, Dauphin, and Cumberland Counties with a mission to increase the size of markets served by rural businesses.

KIZ Partners with Education to Enhance Programming

When people talk about innovative entrepreneurs in our region, we often don't think about entrepreneurs existing within the halls of our region's academic institutions. The Harrisburg Market KIZ is trying to change that mentality by financially partnering with research projects that are full of possibilities. It is amazing what can happen when people of different professional perspectives come together and dream about innovative ideas. To that end, the Harrisburg Market KIZ is investing money in numerous projects that are marrying seemingly separate academic disciplines. Business with engineering. Mathematics with business. Physics with art. And on and on.

Innovative ideas that create jobs may come from academic institutions and our region should be receptive to this concept. The Harrisburg Market KIZ is pleased to partner with eight educational institutions in an effort to insure that our region's students are dreaming innovative dreams and are at the same time receiving resources to bring those ideas to fruition. While the KIZ is starting or investing in a wide-range of projects across the entire region, here are just a few to give you a snap-shot of what is happening to better connect the world of entrepreneurs with the world of academia.

KIZ Technology Grants Go to Central PA: Regional Collaboration REALLY PAYS!

On April 11th, Governor Rendell announced $903,929 in grants that will go to colleges and universities in southcentral PA, connected to the Harrisburg Market KIZ and Lancaster KIZ. In a highly competitive grant process, our region fared exceptionally well. With just over $6 million available state-wide, the Greater Harrisburg area received the most of any region in the state.

In a true sign of regional collaboration, the Innovation Transfer Network was formed in 2006 to help our region's educational institutions and business community connect. The primary partners are academic institutions in the Harrisburg KIZ & Lancaster KIZ.

The Innovation Transfer Network ( ITN) received $200,000 through a direct Keystone Innovation Grant to Penn State Harrisburg, on behalf of the ITN's 15 colleges & universities connected to the Harrisburg Market KIZ and the Lancaster KIZ. The ITN is an initiative to increase the rate of transfer of innovative ideas and technology from southcentral Pennsylvania's institutions of higher education to the private sector.

The ITN's Seed Assistance Fund received $150,000 through a direct Keystone Innovation Grant to Franklin & Marshall College to continue providing product development dollars for research ideas, supporting market feasibility studies of commercialization prospects, encouraging proof of concept studies, and providing early stage capital to launch start-ups. The ITN's Seed Assistance Fund encourages collaboration with private sector companies.

Three other institutions received Keystone Innovation Starter Kit Grant funds to hire faculty and grow technology research facilities: Dickinson College received $103,929; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center/College of Medicine was awarded $250,000; and Penn State Harrisburg was provided $200,000.

The Innovation Transfer Network's partners include the following academic institutions: Central Pennsylvania College, Dickinson College, Elizabethtown College, Franklin & Marshall College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Lancaster General College of Nursing, Lebanon Valley College, Messiah College, Millersville University, Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and Shippensburg University.

For more information on the Innovation Transfer Network or the Harrisburg Market KIZ and these awards, visit www.InnovationTransferNetwork.org.

EXPRESS DYNAMICS RECEIVES $100,000 IN KEYSTONE INNOVATION ZONE (KIZ) TAX CREDITS
Express Dynamics is first to earn the new tax credits in the Commonwealth

HARRISBURG (MARCH 20, 2007) - The Harrisburg Market Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) recently announced that Express Dynamics, a company specializing in the development of custom business software, received $100,000 in tax credits through the Keystone Innovation Zone Tax Credit Program. KIZ tax credits are distributed through the Harrisburg Market KIZ, led by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. The Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the tax credits to Express Dynamics in December 2006; Express Dynamics sold the tax credits in February 2007 to an unnamed buyer.

According to Treff LaPlante, President of Express Dynamics, Express Dynamics will use the funds to build a sales and marketing staff that will drive a national product launch. Ongoing revenue from this initiative is expected to fuel continued growth. "The receipt of this money is a huge kick-start to sales and product launch efforts," stated LaPlante.

Ryan Keith, Director of the Harrisburg Market KIZ, added, "The cash from the sale of KIZ Tax Credits provides startup companies with options to grow their business. The program rewards companies that are growing by providing a tangible, cash incentive to increase sales. The Harrisburg Market KIZ is committed to helping companies like Express Dynamics grow and this program is just one of the many ways we are trying to do that."

Mike McCann, President of MVM Associates, who brokered the sale on behalf of Express Dynamics, said, "MVM Associates appreciated having the opportunity to sell these credits. We pride ourselves on getting the highest dollar return and quickest turnaround time in the business, and we are happy to see that Express Dynamics got both."

On the brokering process, which can be laboring for some programs, LaPlante said, "We were extremely pleased with the service we received from our tax credit broker, MVM Associates. The net return on the sale was higher than quoted by other brokers, and MVM's quick turnaround time was just as advertised. MVM walked me through the steps, promptly answered all questions, and exceeded my expectations for sale price. They were excellent to work with."

Companies who are located in the Harrisburg Market KIZ, are less than eight years of age and operate in one or more of the following target industries are eligible to receive the KIZ tax credits: advanced manufacturing, life sciences or business technology solutions. Eligible companies can apply for up to $100,000 in tax credits per year through this program. The amount of the tax credit is determined by the company's growth in gross revenue for the most recently filed tax year in the KIZ over the previous tax year in the KIZ, with the credit amounting to 50 percent of the difference, up to $100,000. The credits are able to be kept for current or future tax obligations. The company may also sell the tax credits for cash through a private bidding process.

KIZ sites in the Harrisburg Market include the Murata Business Center and Business Central in Carlisle, the Hershey Center for Applied Research and the Campus of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center/College of Medicine in Hershey, and the Harrisburg Transportation Center, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, and the Veteran Memorial Building in downtown Harrisburg.

A total of six companies from the Harrisburg Market KIZ received KIZ Tax Credits, totaling over $400,000 in 2006. As many as 10 companies from the Harrisburg region are expected to receive the KIZ Tax Credit in 2007.

The Harrisburg Market KIZ strives to assist colleges and universities with the commercialization process of R&D activities, enhance entrepreneurial vitality within our region, and contribute to the growth of jobs and career opportunities within the Harrisburg market. More information on the Harrisburg Market KIZ can be found by visiting www.KIZToolbox.com.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties by providing a unique blend of business, community and economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost our economic vitality and livability as a region. HRC/CREDC has been accredited with four stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Business Boot Camp

The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation and the Murata Business Center, in conjunction with HACC's Business Start-Up Center, hosted the first of a series of "Business Boot Camps." Modeled after the successful "First Monday" program at the Murata Business Center in Carlisle, Business Boot Camps are now moving around to different areas. Entrepreneurs come to learn about starting a business in Pennsylvania, and get tips and resources from successful entrepreneurs and business assistance experts.

Have you always wanted to start your own business? Bring your ideas and learn what is needed to start your business in PA. Basic Training includes 4 marketing push ups, 3 miles of information of what not to do, 2 hours of help to pull you up and 1 drill sergeant to coach you through the process. If you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, or would like more information about starting a business, contact Karen Gunnison at 717.249.2356 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .