What Can Pottstown Learn From Scranton?

This is certainly news we do not read about often!  Scranton City Council unanimously adopted a $74.9 million dollar budget that features a 10.55% property tax decrease AND a 25% decrease in mercantile and business privilege taxes.  The budget restores 44 of 69 positions which had previously been recommended to be cut. 

Mayor Chris Doherty submitted a $75.5 million dollar budget to council in November which included 69 jobs being eliminated.  Mayor Doherty has until December 24th to act of council’s $74.9 million dollar budget.  Council has a veto-proof majority so any attempt to veto the budget by Mayor Doherty would be symbolic.

Scranton, PA                                        Pottstown, PA

Population – 71,944   2009 estimate                Population – 21,421   2009 estimate

Land area – 25.2 square miles                          Land area – 4.83 square miles

2011 Budget – $74.9 million dollars                2011 Budget – $39.3 million dollars

Police – 150 officers                                         Police – 47 officers

Est. 2008 median income – $32,794                Est. 2008 median income – $45,941

Est. 2008 per capita income – $19,034            Est. 2008 per capita income – $24,044

City-data crime index 2009 – 306.7                City-data crime index 2009 – 454.7

After carefully reflecting on the above figures some questions may develop.

How does a city 3 1/2 times our size (population) and 5 times our size in land area have a lower crime rate with less police per 1000 people?

How does a city 3 1/2 times our size have a budget less than twice as big?

How does a less affluent city in terms of median and per capita income reduce property taxes 10.55% and reduce business taxes 25%?

Any thoughts?????

Demographic information from City-data.com

Blogger Announces Scholarship For Pottstown Entrepreneurs

December 15, 2009                                       Sue Repko, Positively!Pottstown blogger

                                                                             (609) 658-9043

Positively!Pottstown, a community blog dedicated to promoting Pottstown, is offering two $100 scholarships for an upcoming Small Business Workshop Series taught by members of Pottstown SCORE. Positively Pottstown scholarships are available to anyone who is already running a business in Pottstown or who is planning to open a business in Pottstown.

“I wanted to offer something specific to the small business entrepreneur who is trying to make it in Pottstown,” said Sue Repko, founder of the community blog that promotes Pottstown. “I guess it’s a holiday gift to a couple of deserving business owners to start 2011 off on the right foot.”

SCORE is the Service Corps of Retired Executives, a nonprofit association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Association. Course instructors are experienced practitioners who teach practical, real-life skills and strategies for those interested in starting a business or learning how to run their business better. By attending a SCORE workshop, entrepreneurs will also be introduced to a network of supportive professionals who want to see you succeed. “The folks at SCORE have been great to work with. They’re such a valuable resource, and they’re right in town,” added Repko.

The next workshop series will be held on January 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2011. Registration begins at 6:45 pm for all workshops, which then run from 7-9:30 pm. The course includes a manual on preparing a business plan.

January 10 – Sources of Information, and the Tax and Legal Implications of the Different Legal Structures

January 17 – The Business Plan and The Business Loan

January 24 – Sources of Market Information and Marketing

January 31 – It’s All About Profit 

For more detail, visit SCORE’s website at www.pottstownscore.org.

Please note: The January workshops will be held at the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce Conference Center, 152 E. High Street, Suite 360, Pottstown, PA 19464

To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out the application below or visit www.PositivelyPtown.com. Applicants must also write a few paragraphs about their current business or business plans, and include some information about their past business/work experience. They do not need to submit a résumé.

POSITIVELY!POTTSTOWN

SCORE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

January 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2011

Positively!Pottstown $100 scholarships for SCORE workshops are available to anyone who is running a business in Pottstown or planning to open a business in Pottstown.

Please type or print clearly:

Name:___________________________      Phone:_____________________

Address:__________________________    Mobile: ____________________

City:_____________________________  E-mail: _____________________

State: ________________ Zip:________    Website: ____________________

Business Name:____________________    Phone:______________________

Address:__________________________   Mobile: _____________________

City:_____________________________  E-mail: _____________________

State: ________________ Zip:_______      Website: ____________________

The following information must accompany the application:

□ Write 2-3 paragraphs about your current business or your business plans; include some information about your past business/work experience. You do NOT need to submit a résumé.

□ Is your business or proposed business located in the Borough of Pottstown?  Circle one: Yes   No

□ Would you be willing to be quoted in future press releases about SCORE workshops or the Positively!Pottstown scholarship?  Please note: This is NOT required to receive the  scholarship.  Circle one: Yes   No

□ I certify that the information provided in this application is true & complete.

Signature________________________  Date ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________________ 

Send to:

Positively Pottstown Blog

P.O. Box 1509

Pottstown, PA 19464

Or  

PositivelyPottstown@gmail.com

Must be postmarked or received via e-mail by: December 28, 2010

(Scholarships are non-transferable. Recipients will receive a certificate good for the January 2011 Small Business Workshop Series, including manual.)