Recently added articles from Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal:
'A culture of innovative thinking'
Aug 01, 2008; Gardner, Dave ... While capital acquisitions by the proposed Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) are making headlines, the school's development of a top-notch workforce may be the real news. Robert D'Alessandri, M.D., president and dean, explains that a progressive staffing system has been decided upon ...
Research firm receives federal funds to develop avian flu vaccine
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... The avian flu, caused by the avian influenza virus which normally affects birds, can at times infect humans and lead to severe illness and death. If an avian influenza pandemic erupts it can have devastating effects on human health and the global economy. Rapid development of a ...
When tragedy struck, business owner proved her mettle
Aug 01, 2008; Malcolm, Wade ... In her first few days as a widow, everyone could have expected Jackie Knight to take a few days off, and grieve. Everyone, except Jackie anyway. On a Sunday last October, just days after a sudden heart attack claimed the life of her husband and business partner, she called ...
A small solution to the MRSA problem
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... Nanotechnology, the science of manipulating materials at the atomic and molecular level to develop new or enhanced materials and products, is just making its way into commercial applications. It may well be the next big thing to change the face of technology, finally moving beyond the hype, and ...
Pike County builder cashing in on trend toward energy efficiency
Aug 01, 2008; Curran, Robert ... Relentless inflation created by the soaring cost of fuel is causing deep concern for companies and people, but one bright light is the emerging energy-efficient segment of the building industry, which is beginning to grow, and is estimating a 30 to 50 percent decrease in fuel costs for ...
SECCAS' success story
Aug 01, 2008; Gardner, Dave ... The Wall Street West initiative, which seeks to create backup locations in east-ern Pennsylvania for New York City financial data, has scored some early victories, however, much work remains to be done for a knockout success. Secure Electronic Communication Compliance Archival System ...
Sanderson State Street wins Small Business Spotlight
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... MetroAction, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal are pleased to announce that Sanderson State Street Salon in Clarks Summit is the recipient of the August 2008 Small Business Spotlight Award. MetroAction presents the Small Business ...
Prediction: If gas prices stabilize, holidays may prove strong
Aug 01, 2008; Nardone, Ralph ... Local retailers are feeling the pinch of increasing consumer pessimism due to rising costs of living and economic fears. However, there still exists cautious optimism about growth in retail sales by the end of 2008, according to one local retail industry analyst and some local ...
Green excellence resides on Pine Street
Aug 01, 2008; Barr, Josh ... Going green ain't easy, but it sure helps you sleep at night. One area firm met the challenge head on in downtown Hazleton. So was it a success? The governor seems to think so. Gov. Rendell awarded one of his nine Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence to Borton-Lawson for its ...
Education as ambassador
Aug 01, 2008; Malcolm, Wade ... Once a year, dozens of people gather for banquets in Mumbai, India, and Taipei, Taiwan, to reminisce about their days spent in, of all places, the Electric City. Their connection to Northeastern Pennsylvania? The University of Scranton. Jim Goonan, an assistant dean who heads ...
60% of modern jobs require a 2-year degree: What it takes to fill this niche
Aug 01, 2008; Gardner, Dave ... Melissa Casper is on track to become a professional diesel girl. The Waymart resident is beginning her senior year at Johnson college, where she is enrolled in the school's diesel truck technology program. She explains that she tried various jobs after her graduation from Forest City ...
Number of workers earning below federal minimum wage drops in Pennsylvania
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... In 2007, 69,000 hourly-paid workers in Pennsylvania had earnings at or below the federal minimum wage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department Labor. More than 3.4 million workers in Pennsylvania were paid at hourly rates, representing 62 percent of all wage and salary ...
Rescue mission: Governor signs five bills designed to salvage Pennsylvania mortgages
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... Gov. Edward G. Rendell on July 8 signed five bills to protect home buyers, strengthen oversight of the mortgage industry and end key lending practices that leave homeowners vulnerable to foreclosure. He also urged current homeowners who are worried about meeting their mortgage obligations to ...
Proposed laws would end 'abusive' credit-card practices
Aug 01, 2008; Ruff, Kathy ... In 2005, consumers enjoyed the use of nearly 700 million major credit cards in the United States, racking up $1.618 trillion in charges with 24.9 billion transactions. Without question, credit cards play an important role in today's economy. Yet over the past few years, ...
USDA loan would bring broadband wireless to rural communities
Aug 01, 2008; Nardone, Ralph ... Rural areas of northeast Pennsylvania have difficulty accessing wireless Internet services. According to Mark Fanelli, founder and president of Schuyl Inc., a Pottsville-based wireless provider, large wireless corporations are not always willing to invest money for a potentially small revenue ...
High commodities prices are probably here to stay
Aug 01, 2008; Gardner, Dave ... Opinions vary about whether the current commodities bubble will burst, but most economists agree that consumers should stand guard over their wallets well into the future. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., director of the William G. McGowan School of Business at Kings College, explains that economic ...
Renewable Resources
Aug 01, 2008; Gardner, Dave ... Despite its history as a bastion of unskilled labor, northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) has become the site of comprehensive efforts aimed at development of a modem and educated workforce. With ongoing initiatives such as the development of Wall Street West, regional business and ...
Back-to-school season looks 'difficult' for retailers
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... Consumers still have eyes for heavily discounted items and necessities, and the critical back-to-school season is looking like another difficult period for the nation's retailers. U.S. retailers reported better-than-expected June sales results, providing some relief to merchants, ...
A Salute to NEPA's Outstanding Educators
Aug 01, 2008; Anonymous ... The pursuit of happiness of which America's forefathers bespoke means different things to different people. For some it may involve building great stores of wealth in a visible and lofty position, for others it may mean working in an interesting career, no matter the compensation. The really ...