NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE

New European Company Moves U.S. Headquarters to Wilmington

Basell USA will relocate its U.S. headquarters from Elkton, Maryland. GVA Smith Mack recently announced it helped bring the Netherlands-based company to New Castle county. Basell is the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing.Together with its joint ventures, Basell has manufacturing facilities around the world and sells products in more than 120 countries. Additional information about Basell is available at www.basell.com.

Basell USA announced earlier in 2007 that it would be relocating and was evaluating locations in Pennsylvana, Maryland and Delaware, as well as on the U.S. Gulf coast. The company signed a 44,000 square foot, long-term lease at Delaware Corporate Center II located at Rigether Parkway and Concord Pike in northern New Castle County.

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ

New Science Incubator Welcomes First Tenant



Burlington County College's new science incubator has officialy signed its first tenant - Six Sigma Technology Inc. By locating in the new incubator, Six Sigma will have access to scientific equipment like fume hoods, lab sinks, casework and back up power; office equipment; high-speed Internet; conference rooms and other common areas throughout the 12,800-square-foot building. The science incubator was designed to support start up businesses focusing on medical research, nanotechnology development, pharmaceutical production and other science-based endeavors. BCC also has a high technology incubator.

According to the college, "Six Sigma Technology, Inc. is a meticulous, quality-oriented pharmaceutical company lead by Meher Merchant, President and CEO. Its goal is to grow a strong industrial client base in compliance with Federal Regulations pertaining to the Pharmaceutical industry."

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ

From Icy Floors to Cubicles

Gibraltar Construction Corp., has announced plans to convert Gibbsboro's High Ridge Ice Skating Rink to a new office condominium. Named High Ridge Professional Campus, the redesigned facility will include a $3.5 million renovation with plans for occupancy by April 2008. The office space will include: customized interior designs; abundant parking for clients, visitors and staff; handicapped accessible with ADA restrooms; latest in multi-media technology; wireless Internet access; on-site kiosk cafe; and meticulous property management and maintenance. For more information, visit: http://highridgeprofcampus.com.


GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ

Local Company Keeping People Honest

Originating as a small startup that helped libraries track books through tags, Checkpoint Systems Inc. has grown considerably since its launch in 1969. With clients like Best Buy Co. Inc., the Home Depot Inc., and Kohl's Corp. in the United States, and other major companies outside the country, the Thorofare-based company now provides retailers with radio frequency tags and high tech equipment to thwart shoplifters and track inventory. Checkpoint is positioning itself for long-term growth and aiming to become an even bigger player in the multibillion industry. Company executives recently reported in a teleconference with analysts that they expected to report 2007 revenue of $820 million. In addition to its product-tracking tags, Checkpoint also sells closed-circuit-TV security systems; disposable labels programmed with antitheft radio signals and then woven into clothing; reusable security devices affixed to apparel and other retail merchandise that set off alarms if not paid for; and labels for garments and other merchandise. For more information, visit: www.checkpointsystems.com.


BUCKS COUNTY, PA

"Companies to Watch" in Bucks County

Two Bucks County companies were recently recognized by the Eastern Technology Council as “Companies to Watch.” According to its Web site, Onconova Therapeutics Inc. of Newtown, http://www.onconova.com/ , is a privately held Delaware Corporation. It is developing innovative products for combating cancer and creating novel Solutions for Oncology by combining conventional pharmaceutical science (a small molecule approach) with the latest genomic and genetic technologies for drug discovery and development. PChem Associates Inc of Bensalem was also recognized. According to its Web site, PChem has developed a patented nanomaterial technology for printed electronics. Its technology delivers superior conductivity at a lower cost and can be used at lower manufacturing temperatures. The Eastern Technology Council serves leaders of more than 700 technology and life sciences companies by providing valuable contacts and capital, information and education, through a wide variety of events, publications, and innovative services. The Council provides a business culture that embraces start-ups and established companies by promoting, supporting, growing, funding, and rewarding entrepreneurial activities in the region in an effort to promote growth and successful businesses.


CHESTER COUNTY, PA

O'Neill Properties Group Awarded $4.3 Million RACP Grant for Worthington Project

The O'Neill Properties Group is redeveloping the former Worthington Steel plant in East Whiteland Township and two adjacent parcels into Worthington Village Center, a mixed-use development. The Pennsylvania Governor's Office of the Budget has awarded the company a $4.3 million grant under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) towards construction on the site.

The brownfields contaminated site, consisting of 97 acres, allows for approximately 500,000 square foot of retail, 700,000 square feet of office, and 600 residential unit venues. The O'Neill Properties Group is investing over $400 million to redevelop the site. That investment will create over 3,500 new jobs and generate substantial tax revenues.

According to Dan Kane of the O'Neill Properties Group, the RACP grant will be used to build a 29,000 square feet “box” commercial site. At buildout, the entire Worthington Village Center will feature a business and residential development characterized by beautifully-landscaped open spaces, the little Valley Creek streaming through the midsection of the village, passive recreation, and ready access to major transportation arteries including Routes 202 and 29, respectively.

Marybeth DiVincenzo, CCEDC's Director of Programs and Services, and Elaine Jasper, Grant Coordinator, are managing the RACP grant on behalf of O'Neill Properties and the Commonwealth.

CCIDA Approves $5 million loan to Aerzen USA Corp.

The Chester County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA) has approved a $5 million tax exempt loan to expand a county manufacturing company, Aerzen USA Corp.

The loan will be used to purchase five acres of land at 108 Independence Way in the Meeting House Business Park in Sadsbury Township; and, to construct and equip a new manufacturing facility. The size of the new building will be approximately 40,000 square feet and the project will create or retain approximately 50 jobs.

The building will be a LEED-certified building. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council provides standards for environmentally-sustainable construction.

Aerzen, a German-owned company, has been located in Chester County since 1986. The company's first county location was in Exton and then the company moved to the Highland Corporate Park. It is the oldest European manufacturer of positive displacement blowers, compressors, vacuum pumps and gas meters.

The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) serves as staff to the CCIDA. The CCEDC aided in the relocation of Aerzen to the county from Ohio in 1986. The CCEDC helps companies relocating to and expanding in the county and has collaborated on creating thousands of jobs in the county over the past four decades.

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA

Another Potential New Development for the County

While local residents wait to hear if Delaware County will be the stomping grounds for a new Major League Soccer team, another potential development project is being considered. A local attorney and developer met with Chester Upland School District officials last month to propose the building of a $90 million film studio on a 33-acre site in Chester Township. Pacifica Ventures, a Santa Monica-based film studio, would like to take advantage of the recent legislation in Pennsylvania providing significant tax credits for companies in the film industry. Plans include close to 300,000 square feet of production facilities and offices, plus a museum and entertainment facility, on the site of the Tri State Sports facility. Further approvals are necessary for the project to move forward.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA

Local Entrepreneurs Highlighted for "Serial Business Building"

The Philadelphia Inquirer recently published an article focusing on local entrepreneurs Jane Hollingsworth and Terry Sebree. Together, they have become serial entrepreneurs who launched their third life science venture, NuPathe Inc., in 2005. A specialty pharmaceutical company, NuPathe focuses on developing treatments and technologies for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. For example, the company is now in the process of late-stage clinical testing for a "smart relief" patch for those who suffer from migraines. The 14-employee organization has also used the region's life science resources by licensing a drug delivery technology from the University of Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PA

Mediterranean Shipping Company Starts Service at Local Port

Already a regular user of Philadelphia Regional Port Authority's (PRPA) Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has begun a new steamship service between the Port of Philadelphia and several other major ports on the West Coast and South America. MSC is the second largest steamship line in the world. With this new service being added, the Port of Philadelphia now offers regular, direct container service to both the East and West Coasts of South America, via MSC and other liner services, as well as extensive breakkbulk services to South America.

 

For more information of each of the 11 counties in the Greater Philadelphia region. Go to: http://www.selectgreaterphila.com/data/county_data.cfm