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 The Limerick Economic Development Council took a look back as well as a look to tomorrow during a recent breakfast held at the Casual Gourmet, Limerick.
LEDC President Tom DiBello opened the meeting by introducing the Founders Award, to be presented to someone “instrumental in helping the group over the year.” Renee Chesler, executive director of the LEDC, added that the recognition will be awarded annually to “the person or organization that makes the greatest positive contribution to economic development in Limerick Township.”
Presenting the award to David Kane, Chesler said, “It is fitting that David is both our founder and the first recipient of this honor.”
Chesler described Kane as “a big vision guy.” Kane began working in 2005 to create the Limerick Economic Development Council. “His leadership continues to shape the policies of Limerick,” she remarked.
Accepting the award, Kane commented, “Everyone here today is focused on creating something here in Limerick Township.” He added that the strength of the economic development program comes from “people like yourselves.”
The LEDC is “generating a lot of excitement,” Kane added. “There’s a lot going on. We’re going to need your help.”
DiBello offered an update on the activities of the LEDC. A major undertaking at this time is “process mapping,” or creating a diagram of the land development process. He said the LEDC hopes to have the diagram available by mid-summer.
LEDC is also working on a membership drive and is compiling a list of available properties in Limerick. The list eventually will be available on LEDC’s website.
“One of our biggest efforts,” DiBello said, is working with the Chelsea Group on a job fair for the outlet mall under construction at the Sanatoga interchange of Route 422. Chelsea’s plan is for the mall to open by Black Friday this November. As a result, 800 to 1,000 jobs will need to be filled by October or November.
Carmen Italia, president of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Corporation, spoke to the business people and residents at the breakfast about the way MCIDC could help LEDC’s efforts.
MCIDC is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to economic development in Montgomery County. In existence for over 40 years, MCIDC focuses on retention and expansion of companies already in the county and on attraction of new companies.
Among MCIDC’s services are assisting in site and building location; low interest financing; providing demographic information; compiling a county-wide industrial directory, and assisting businesses and community organizations in obtaining grants.
Italia, who has 34 years of experience with MCIDC, briefly touched on a number of business financing programs available. He noted that the source book for funding lists 39 different funding programs with more than 90 specific options.
Italia outlined the various agencies which MCIDC partners with, and explained that MCIDC works with chambers of commerce, elected officials, local municipal groups such as LEDC, real estate brokers and real estate developers.
MCIDC can help a company interested in expansion find funding options as well as bring in partner organizations. “Knowing who to bring in and when to bring them in, that’s what’s critical in this business,” Italia said.
MCIDC can help a community by offering suggestions for economic development. It’s essential for MCIDC to understand what the community wants and then guide them to a variety of resources.
He commended LEDC for its work on compiling a database of available sites, stressing that the list should include what the township wants to see developed. He recommended LEDC look at LERTA, the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program. Enacted in 1974, LERTA’s purpose is to remove the deterrent to revitalization of deteriorating business properties.
He noted there is a myth that designating an area for LERTA creates a stigma, because the area must be considered “blighted.” New business coming into an area is not a stigma, Italia stressed.
Italia also noted Limerick, through the efforts of LEDC, is on the right path to becoming more business friendly. “We’re here to help business and communities grow,” he concluded.
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