Pennsylvania Sets Tone For New Era Of Civility

Image via Wikipedia

I am and have always been proud to be a Pennsylvanian.  When I read about things like this it makes me even more proud to be from this great state!

Our two U.S. Senators, Bob Casey, Jr. (D) and Pat Toomey (R) will sit together during the State of the Union address on Tuesday.  This is significant because both parties normally segregate themselves, on opposite sides of the room.

In light of the tragedy in Tucson and the very uncivil political climate in our country, I am pleased that our U.S. Senators will be showing the rest of America that Pennsylvania leads the pack when it comes to bipartisan cooperation!

Montgomery County’s Wacky Political Landscape

Image via Wikipedia

Here is a funny but fairly correct assessment of the nonsense that is Montgomery County politics.  This is a primary year so it would pay to be informed on what is going on in Norristown!

A short but entertaining read:

http://eyescoop.blogspot.com/2011/01/chips-are-falling.html

Business Incubator Hatches At York College

Image via Wikipedia

I am always excited to report on these things! 

The 7,100-square-foot Kings Mill Depot is now open to any for-profit corporations in the start-up phase, small businesses entering a growth phase or existing companies launching new projects.  The best part is that the incubator is for firms dealing with technology, health care, sciences or engineering.  The incubator is all about creating good paying jobs that have a high growth potential.  Lord knows Pennsylvania needs decent paying jobs that will support families!

Applications are being accepted through the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship at York College.  Faculty, staff and students are available to help with business development! 

Contact Jeff Vermeulen at (717) 815-6639 if your firm would like to take advantage of the awesome opportunity!

Bethlehem also has a very successful job incubator at Lehigh University.  You can also read about that here: https://roysrants.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/bethlehem-job-incubator-recepient-of-6-million-dollar-federal-recovery-act-grant/

American Idol Opens To Mixed Reviews

The first week of American Idol has come to a close.  The New Jersey and New Orleans auditions are behind us now. 

Personally, I was not going to watch any more but decided, to be fair, I should at least give the new panel a chance.  Never did much care for Randy.  Loved Paula and Simon.  Kara (disliked) and Ellen, who is funny and I enjoy her show, was not really suited for AI by her own admission.

When they announced Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez I was more than a little upset.  Based on who they could have considered I felt maybe this was not such a good idea.  Really wanted Harry Connick, Jr. but he evidently had too many commitments to be a judge.

I must say I was surprised by Steven Tyler.  I think he is funny, has a good eye for talent and is very respectful of the contestants, even the bad ones.  People seem to love him or hate him.  I did see more positive comments from people than negative ones. 

Jennifer Lopez needs to say no more.  Otherwise, I think she will be fine.  I am hoping she gets tougher as the season moves along.   I think people are more evenly divided on whether they like her or not than Steven Tyler.

Some good talent so far.  Looking forward to the rest of the auditions.  350 people made it to Hollywood from what I read.  Largest group ever.  In the end, they still have to get down to 20 (new this year) so as long as AI foots the bill, who cares.

Hillandale Farms Installing Biomass-To-Energy Plant

Image via Wikipedia

You have probably seen Hillandale Farms eggs in your local grocery store.  This forward-thinking Adams County egg producer is investing in a revolutionary new green technology that will use 80,000 tons of manure to create energy!

Hillandale Farms is one of the nations leading egg producers/suppliers.  It is always gratifying to see large companies looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint.  This new energy plant will create enough energy to power 2,500 homes a year! 

Hillandale Farms is planning on expanding their egg production facility in Adams County by another 1.5 million hens.  This means 5 million chickens will call Tyrone Township home.  Utilizing animal waste to create power is amazing.  This new process will turn manure into steam that can be used to heat and cool.

Another added benefit will be 13,000 tons of left over nutrients from the biomass process will be recycled into fertilizer or livestock-feed supplement.  This will contribute to a 3.5% reduction of nutrients and a 4.4% reduction of phosphorus being released into the Chesapeake Bay.  Those percentages are for the entire state of Pennsylvania in just one production facility!

The plant is expected to be up and running by the first quarter of 2012. 

If you are environmentally conscious, you may want to consider including this egg supplier in your weekly shopping.

http://www.hillandalefarms.com/

Lansdale Looks To “Beef Up” Economic Development Committee

Image via Wikipedia

Lansdale Borough Council is looking to expand the size of their Economic Development Committee (EDC) in the next two months.  The EDC will expand to seven members, four of whom will be borough residents or borough business owners.  The other three members will be council members, by appointment.  The chair of the EDC will also be a councilor.

The strength of the EDC is that this committee is borough business focused by cutting red tape and being an advocate for business and not government focused.  The idea is not to create another budget item.

Wednesday evening, council gave approval to create an ordinance to formally establish the committee.  This came about by changes in legal requirements when council passed an economic incentive development ordinance last year.  The economic incentive development ordinance gives discounts on electricity purchased from the borough to qualified businesses.  Ordinance language mandates that any business who is interested in this program needs to go before the EDC.  Officially establishing this committee by ordinance was connecting all the dots.

The Lansdale Business Association (LBA) will also continue to stay involved with this committee by hopefully continuing to have an LBA member on the EDC.  The EDC will also be working closely with the Communications Commission.  The newly created Communications Commission is tasked with creating a “marketable brand” for the borough.  Initially the EDC and the Communications Commission will be working together to create an image and branding for Lansdale.

Once these tasks are completed, the EDC will take the newly developed brand image and market Lansdale.  The Communications Commission will be responsible for technology, signage, the website, attracting technology and keeping residents updated.

We give this well thought out effort, with expanded resident involvement, two Roy’s Rants thumbs up!