Officials Envision Reinvigorated Allegheny County Airport

The county airport authority wants West Mifflin’s Allegheny County Airport to be a destination — but not for commuter flights.

That sums up a meeting borough officials had Monday with new authority CEO Christina Cassotis that came 24 hours before a $1.5 million federal grant was announced for taxiway rehabilitation there.

“It was a positive meeting,” borough Manager Brian Kamauf said. “We discussed the history of the airport.”

It dates back to Pittsburgh and McKeesport’s window to the world between 1931 and 1952, when commercial service moved from West Mifflin to what then was Greater Pittsburgh Airport, now Pittsburgh International.

Read more: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/8407018-74/airport-county-authority#ixzz3asqtZ8jy
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FedEx Exploring Millions In Tax Exemptions, Public Funds For Allen Township Megahub

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northampton County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

FedEx has explored pursuing $25.3 million in tax exemptions for the massive distribution plant it is considering building in Allen Township.

The international shipping company has projected $2.53 million in annual tax breaks between 2017 and 2026 if a special tax zone is established on the 253 acres, according to company documents obtained by lehighvalleylive.com.

But those exemptions would require the creation of a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance — or LERTA — zone, which would require approval from the township, county and Northampton Area School Board.

FedEx spokesman David Westrick declined to comment on the Allen Township proposal because the project is still only under consideration by the company.

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/02/fedex_exploring_millions_in_ta.html

Lehigh Valley International Airport Identifies Likely Buyer For 298 Acres

Aerial photo of Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE, ICAO: KABE) in Hanover Township, 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lehigh Valley Industrial Park has emerged as the most likely candidate to buy 298 acres from Lehigh Valley International Airport.

The airport has been negotiating since September with several local developers interested in the land east of Airport Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

While the purchase is far from finalized, LVIP has emerged as the frontrunner in talks, largely due to the large amount of job creation expected from their prospective development.

“Between the FedEx project and this second piece with the LVIP, we’re going to end up with a lot of small to medium businesses and have an opportunity to create a lot of jobs,” saidTony Iannelli, chairman of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/01/lehigh_valley_international_ai_26.html

What Companies Are The Worst And The Best For Customer Service?

According to an MSN Money-Zogby International customer service survey, these companies made their 2010 Wall of Shame:

1. AOL

2. Bank of America

3. Comcast

4. Sprint Nextel

5. Capital One

6. Dish Network

7. Time Warner Cable

8. Wells Fargo

9. Citibank

10. HSBC

Interesting that this list consists primarily of banks/credit card companies and cable tv/phone/internet service providers…hmmmm.

2010 Wall of Fame recipients are:

1. Amazon

2. Trader Joe’s

3. Netflix

4. Apple

5. FedEx

6. Publix

7. Southwest Airlines

8. UPS

9. Nordstrom

10. Marriott

Interesting who did and didn’t make the top 10 here.  I was surprised I didn’t see Target or Kohl’s for starters.

To view the complete list of all 150 companies and their scores, click on the link below and scroll about half way down the page to find the list:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/see-the-full-list-of-company-rankings-2010.aspx