Report: How PennTAP came to the rescue of PA businesses in 2007

Clients report more than 1,000 jobs created or saved, $52 million in benefits from PennTAP help

University Park, Pa. -- When a group representing small hospitals in rural Pennsylvania -- the Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance, based in DuBois -- needed a broadband central data network for its members to share critical medical specialist expertise and improve patient care, it turned to the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP), part of Penn State Outreach. A PennTAP information technology specialist visited each of the member hospitals, analyzed their current IT infrastructure and developed a strategy for creating a secure and cost-effective network. The result, once realized, is a cost savings projected to be more than $200,000 annually.

This is just one example of how PennTAP, a federal-state-local-University partnership for technology-based economic development, helps Pennsylvania companies daily. According to a just-released annual report, PennTAP provided 613 cases of technical assistance to 571 clients in all 67 counties across Pennsylvania. Clients reported more than $52 million in economic benefits, and more than 1,000 jobs were created or retained.

"PennTAP continues to provide businesses across Pennsylvania with technical and workforce solutions to make them more cost-efficient and successful," said Wayne Figurelle, director of PennTAP. "In addition to traditional technical assistance, PennTAP is providing a greater number of clients with resources and advice on alternative energy solutions."

For example, Hydro Enclosure, in Strattanville, needed help in developing and commercializing its innovative hot water heating system. A PennTAP specialist provided a review of current technologies and performed a preliminary patent search, in addition to connecting the company to several other organizations, including prototype evaluation at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Business interested in PennTAP can call (814) 865-0427 or go to http://www.penntap.psu.edu online.

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) engages, guides and empowers businesses and organizations throughout the Commonwealth and beyond by providing objective and experience-based technical and workforce solutions that enable clients to succeed and thrive, stimulating economic growth for Pennsylvania. Recently, PennTAP reported more than 1,000 jobs created or retained and $52 million in economic benefits as a result of help in 2007. For more information, visit http://www.penntap.psu.edu. PennTAP is part of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development in Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education.