BETHLEHEM (OCT 23) -
State Senator Lisa Boscola praised
Gov. Ed Rendell’s efforts to
stimulate local economies as the
Southside Bethlehem Keystone
Innovation Zone (KIZ) just received
$125,000 in third-round operational
state funding.
“Thanks
to the economic stimulus plan passed
by the legislature and signed into
law by Governor Rendell to create
and develop these zones, our economy
will continue to grow and thrive,”
Boscola said.
The
funding, administered by the state
Department of Economic Development,
will allow Southside Bethlehem KIZ
to create 25 new jobs, retain at
least 70 jobs, attract two early
stage companies and secure at least
10 new patents for technologies
developed inside the KIZ.
“I’m
proud to say that Bethlehem launched
one of the state’s first Keystone
Innovation Zones, and it is a
catalyst for future economic growth
here,” Boscola said.
Southside Bethlehem KIZ creates and
provides opportunities for
entrepreneurs and graduates of
Lehigh University and Northampton
Community College through
relationships with nearby private
businesses, business support
organizations, commercial lending
institutions, venture capital
networks and foundations.
The
goal of Southside Bethlehem KIZ is
to attract upcoming professionals to
this area and stimulate the local
economy.
From its
inception in 2004, 38 patents have
been issued to nine different
companies located in this zone.
The
funding is part of $3.1 million in
statewide investments to support
companies and academic research
institutions that are making
advances in the biomedical,
information technology and advanced
manufacturing fields.
More
information is available by calling
Senator Boscola’s district offices
in Bethlehem 610-868-8667, Whitehall
610-266-2117 or Stroudsburg
570-420-2938.
###
|
