Q&A: Doug Michels, OraSure Technologies
By: Joe Petrucci, 3/18/2010
This CEO of the Bethlehem-based oral and fluid diagnostics company has played a significant role in its success. He'll have a chance to do the same in developing a national HIV/AIDS strategy as part of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
Communities Come Alive at Destination Hotels
By: John Steele, 3/18/2010
Lancaster Arts Hotel and James Gettys Hotel are turning community
synergy into hospitality, connecting visitors with more than just a
bed and free breakfast, and creating the beginnings of a tourism boom.
Michael Scott Means A Lot in Scranton
By: Sara Hodon, 3/18/2010
Authenticity abounds on the hit sitcom The Office, and it's largely due to the city's willingness to play along. Scranton has been reaping the benefits ever since, as fans and locals alike have joined in the fun.
Harrisburg's History Making Household
By: Joe Petrucci, 3/11/2010
Rising utility rates motivated the Wilsons to make some changes. In the process, they became the world's first homeowners to sell a carbon credit, and they're hoping others follow their lead.
Q&A: Dan and Denise Marcolina, Marcolina Design
By: Joe Petrucci, 3/11/2010
These early adopters of Photoshop have earned attention for pushing the software's capabilities to its limits, and were tapped by Adobe recently to develop a presentation for Photoshop's 20th anniversary.
Spectacle: Philadelphia Flower Show
By: Michael Persico, 3/4/2010
It raises $1 million for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's urban greening program and thanks to the likes of Moda Botanica, we can imagine a different kind of concrete jungle taking root in our cities. We got an early peek at the show's highlights.
Simple is Better for Entrepreneurial Food Scientist
By: Rory Sweeney, 3/4/2010
Malathy Nair left her career with a large food manufacturer to form Better Bowls, and she is trying to convince shoppers that her all-natural instant puddings and gelatin mixes are healthier and tastier.
Western PA's New Family Tradition
By: Chris O'Toole, 3/4/2010
Father-and-son IT specialists Stan and Matt Hoffman represent next-generation work ethic on and off the job. Both are working to promote technology education and careers.
Waiting on the rail in Scranton
By: John Steele, 2/25/2010
While other projects in PA have received stimulus dollars and the promise of jobs, the Electric City hopes for a reconnection with NYC and cutting-edge Maglev demonstrates its speed in Western PA.
Philly's Ship Comes in at the Navy Yard
By: Dan Eldridge, 2/25/2010
The historically diverse corporate campus is home to the unique, the untested and the unexpected. From Urban Outfitters to Heliosphera, companies are enjoying life on the 1,200-acre peninsula.
Q&A: Drew Becher, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
By: Joe Petrucci, 2/25/2010
At 40, he has already earned the trust and respect of the likes of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Bette Midler. Now the passionate Ohio native is hoping to bring technology and a deft greening touch to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Bridging Nano Commercialization's Valley of Death
By: Rory Sweeney, 2/18/2010
The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center is helping ideas survive with funding, resources and talent throughout the state, creating innovation that would otherwise wither away.
Q&A: Slavko Milekic, University of the Arts
By: Joe Petrucci, 2/18/2010
The medical doctor and professor from the former Yugoslavia is an innovator in cognitive science and is developing an eye-tracking webcam that will make the iPhone seem so 2007.
Q&A: Valerie Gaydos, Private Investors Forum
By: Joe Petrucci, 2/11/2010
She wants entrepreneurs to believe in angels and government to pay attention to the real and unique payback that angel investors can provide. That payback will be on display along with the hopes of 30 companies at the upcoming Angel Venture Fair.
Welcome to Bike-a-delphia
By: Dan Eldridge, 2/11/2010
The City of Brotherly Love is home to an increasing number of two-wheeling, fossil fuel reducing, gas-money saving, good-time having, ecological footprint-reducing bicycle evangelists.
Q&A: Carmen Scott Dawson, AdVanz LLC
By: Joe Petrucci, 2/4/2010
This former top IT sales rep nearly lost everything when undiagnosed Lyme disease unleashed a whirlwind of medical problems upon him. Now, the Erie native is back home engaging and empowering unlikely entrepreneurs throughout the state.
Art and Local Food Flow Through Jim Thorpe
By: James Williams, 2/4/2010
A husband-and-wife team's art gallery and farm-to-table restaurant inside a 170 year-old renovated factory are putting a new shine on quaint Jim Thorpe, which now has a little cutting-edge to go with its historic, rural charm thanks to the Carbon County Cultural Project.
Reaching Out to Veterans Who Reach for Success
By: Marty Levine, 2/4/2010
A Robert Morris University program assists entrepreneurial veterans at the its Massey Center for Business Innovation & Development, where ex-military can get help to begin their own missions.
Spectacle: The 94th annual PA Farm Show
By: Brad Bower, 1/28/2010
For those seeking a heaping slice of Pennsylvania, the annual PA Farm
Show, the largest indoor agricultural event in the country, serves it
up. This year’s show, the 94th annual edition, ran from Jan. 9-16 at
the sprawling Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
Q&A: Matt Bieber, Originate Ventures
By: Joe Petrucci, 1/28/2010
At 25, he has a career's worth of experience in finance, politics and entrepreneurism. He was also just promoted to prinicipal with Originate Ventures in Bethlehem, where he helps evaluate the potential of entrepreneurs in waiting for a hands-on venture capital firm.
PA has Rx for modernizing healthcare communications
By: John Steele, 1/28/2010
It took 40 years for the telephone to find its place in a doctor's office. Email hasn't taken that long, and Pittsburgh pediatrician Paul Rosen is among many throughout PA who are working to modernize communications in healthcare, with or without reform.
Q&A: Ed Sheehan, Concurrent Technologies Corporation
By: Joe Petrucci, 1/21/2010
Born in Johnstown, Ed Sheehan returned there 20 years ago to start a family and help a young, growing company. Now CEO, Sheehan has helped bring jobs, technology and prestige back to his birthplace.
A Med School Mulligan: Technology Drives TCMC
By: Rory Sweeney, 1/21/2010
The country's newest medical school, which opened last year in Scranton, is already poised for the future with a forward-thinking mission that integrates technology into every corner of the campus.
Higher Ed Moves to Front of the Class in PA
By: John Steele, 1/21/2010
Various studies indicate higher education impacts PA to the tune of tens of billions of dollars every year. We found the industry continues to evolve across the state in ways as varied as the institutions themselves in our higher education progress report.
Q&A: Rick Hirsh, Fastech Integrated Solutions
By: Joe Petrucci, 1/14/2010
With two recent acquisitions, this IT solutions company in Delaware County is positioned to expand its revenues and stature as an integrator of its customers' technologies, and its CEO is on the hunt for more deals.
Blobs, Bars and Camps: Engaging Entrepreneurs
By: Dan Eldridge, 1/14/2010
Info-sharing forums for entrepreneurs have become the latest start-up trend. Philly Startup Leaders has revved up the growth of ideas and resources throughout the state.
Spectacle: The Year in Pictures
By: Michael Persico, 12/17/2009
With vast natural beauty and historic cities and towns, PA makes for pretty fertile ground for photographers. Our shooters captured some of the state's finest visions in the last year, gift-wrapped in this holiday slideshow.
2009 In Review: Top 10 Companies
By: Joe Petrucci, 12/17/2009
From Hegins to Hershey and hydrogen to healthcare, our list of PA's most compelling companies is as diverse as it is promising. They not only survived the recession, they thrived.
Q&A Catherine Cook, myYearbook
By: Joe Petrucci, 12/10/2009
A successful entrepreneur by the time she was a high school junior, Catherine Cook is a driving force behind the wildly popular social networking site for teens she founded with her older brothers, myYearbook, which is changing the landscape of social networking.
2009 in Review: Movers and Shakers
By: Joe Petrucci, 12/10/2009
Innovators, game-changers and risk-takers make up our list of the year's most interesting and successful story subjects, from downtown York to Greater Scranton and from video games to medical school.
Spectacle: The Year in Green
By: Michael Persico, 12/10/2009
With apologies to Kermit, it is easy being green in Pennsylvania, where our photographers chronicled the rapid development of green technology, companies and products throughout 2009.
Eating Without Wheat
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio, 12/3/2009
Gluten-free dining options and resources are becoming more available throughout the state thanks to a growing awareness of celiac disease and some enterprising citizens and restaurant owners.
Going Green From the Pulpit
By: Rory Sweeney, 12/3/2009
Clergy across multiple denominations are preaching green ideology alongside their respective religious beliefs, hoping to inspire environmntally responsible behavior at home and in churches and synogogues throughout PA.
Spectacle: Pie in the Sky
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio and Michael Persico, 12/3/2009
Cafe Estelle chef/owner Marshall Green is earning a reputation for his innovative takes on classic brunch fare at his Northern Liberties eatery in Philadelphia, and reveals his secrets to baking the perfect holiday pie.
Bold Strokes Give Harrisburg a Midtown Makeover
By: Joel Berg, 11/19/2009
The HodgePodgery is more than a mother-daughter owned and operated consignment store where shoppers can find recycled creations like computer-key cufflinks. It is a shining example of the arts' transformation of Midtown Harrisburg, long a target of urban redevelopment.
Q&A: Doug Alexander, Internet Capital Group
By: Joe Petrucci, 11/19/2009
The Wayne-based venture capital company president has played a major role in his firm's growth and will share his lessons with aspiring entrepreneurs at today's Founder Factory event at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.
Eastern PA's Hydrogen Hub Generating Reactions
By: Brian Hickey, 11/19/2009
From AlumiFuel in Philadelphia to Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown, the region is earning a reputation for harnessing hydrogen's power. The tough part is convincing others it's safe and viable.
No Jive: It's Java Time in Midtown Harrisburg
By: Sara Bozich, 11/12/2009
Success is brewing here thanks to a handful of coffee shops, each with a slightly different focus, that have proven business can flourish in this quirky, largely residential neighborhood.
Philly's Prohibitive Favorite
By: John Steele, 11/12/2009
Village Whiskey, the latest offering from Philadelphia's hottest restaurateur Jose Garces, is indicative of the burgeoning downtown restaurant scene and the expanding foodie culture's love of nostalgia.
A New Bus in Pittsburgh
By: Christine H. O'Toole, 11/5/2009
Two local grant programs are helping Pittsburgh school districts and bus contractors retrofit school buses to eliminate harmful diesel pollution and keep drivers and riders healthier.
Benton's Home Field Advantage Heats Up
By: Rory Sweeney, 11/5/2009
Tiny Benton Area School District is making a big push for producing and purchasing its fuel within its boundaries thanks to a state program designed to save districts money and support local farmers.
Q&A: Stephen Tang, University City Science Center
By: Joe Petrucci, 11/5/2009
The University City Science Center in Philadelphia is a well-established, growing conduit for innovation, and its president is in the center of a swirl of ideas, hopes, and many successes.
Q&A: Denise Prince, Geisinger Ventures
By: Joe Petrucci, 11/5/2009
As Geisinger Health System in rural Danville has garnered national attention for its efficiency and patient care, one woman has helped form and shape its innovation through its corporate venture arm, Geisinger Ventures.
Technology Pushes 'Young-Raising' on Non-Profits
By: John Steele, 10/29/2009
The Academy of Science recently appointed 34 year-old Amy Miller Marvin as its VP of Institutional Advancement, signaling a new, younger and more tech-saavy direction for the old museum, the city, and fundraising profession.
Community Banking Goes Direct in Shippensburg
By: Joel Berg, 10/29/2009
Orrstown Bank is among a growing number of well-established, small-town banks that are ditching the brick and mortar for Internet banking, and interest seems to be growing quickly.
Montrose Company Debunking Urban Wind Legends
By: Rory Sweeney, 10/22/2009
Urban wind energy generation is not without its challenges, but a Northeast PA company called Trehab Renewable Energy is taking their small turbines to the streets in a region where large, rural turbines are plentiful.
Q&A: Jamie Moore, Eat n' Park
By: Joe Petrucci, 10/22/2009
Jamie Park is on a mission to make sourcing food locally more streamlined throughout Pennsylvania, and he may have found the answers for a growing movement looking to make their food service more sustainable.
Plenty Riding on Rail Plans for South-Central PA
By: Joel Berg, 10/15/2009
Momentum and federal money have stoked long-held hopes of starting commuter rail service in Greater Harrisburg. Stations are getting facelifts while locals hope for state funding to close the loop.
Spectacle: So Re Fa Fashion Show
By: Jeff Fusco, 10/15/2009
The best part about eco-fashion is it's more affordable than other green products and it can look as good as it feels. Philadelphia's So Re Fa fashion show, presented by Arcadia Boutique, strutted out the latest in green fashions.
Light of the Times: Kay and Sons, Lutron Join Forces
By: John Steele, 10/8/2009
Kay and Sons and Lutron have seen the light. The successful Southeastern Pa. lighting companies with storied histories have teamed up to meet the changing needs of their customers.
Trash is a Gas for More PA Landfills
By: Rory Sweeney, 10/8/2009
PA ranks second in the country in programs that convert gas from landfills into energy that is sold to regional power suppliers, and more are on the way.
Q&A: Karina Bradley, Dealer Synergy
By: Joe Petrucci, 10/8/2009
Model, singer, and entrepreneur--Karina Bradley wears all three tags loud and proud. With a penchant for digital marketing, this Philadelphia go-getter is building her company, Dealer Synergy, and her own personal brand into blockbuster hits.
Spectacle: PA Renewable Energy Festival
By: Brad Bower, 10/1/2009
Renewable energy and sustainability are alive and well in Pennsylvania's heartland. Rural Kempton in Berks County played host to the fifth annual PA Renewable Energy and Sustainability Festival and thousands of people seeking greener ways of living their lives.
Collaboration Puts Philly Ahead of Creative Curve
By: Joe Petrucci, 10/1/2009
The same collaborative spirit Ben Franklin used to transform the city nearly 300 years ago is thriving once again in Philadelphia, where a growing group of creatives are shaping the new economy.
Hacker Haven: Far McKon Makes It
By: Joe Petrucci, 10/1/2009
Far McKon has hacked his way to the forefront of Philadelphia's maker scene in less than two years, and anyone who has longed to do it themselves is better off for it. The upstate New York native founded The Hacktory and Hive76, two thriving hacker/maker communities.
In the Company of Coasters
By: Rory Sweeney, 9/24/2009
Pennsylvania has quietly become the wooden roller coaster capital of
the world, and several companies have been successful in building their
business on the loops and thrills of amusements.
Green Building in Pittsburgh Means Preserving Past
By: Christine H. O'Toole, 9/24/2009
In Pittsburgh, green building has meant preserving and retrofitting remnants of its industrial past. The Phipps Conservatory, the world's most energy-efficient conservatory, is the gem of that movement and one of the centerpieces of the G-20 summit.
Q&A: Ann Dugan, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
By: Joe Petrucci, 9/24/2009
Ann Dugan took the hard, unlikely road to entrepreneurial success. The leader of the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence talked to Keystone Edge about lessons culled and taught through the years.
Q&A: Jesse Schell, Schell Games
By: Joe Petrucci, 9/17/2009
It's a long way from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh, but Jesse Schell has created a home base in PA, where he teaches game design at Carnegie Mellon University and started two successful entertainment technology companies. We talked to him as he readies for the 24-Hour Wild Pockets Game Jam on Oct. 3-4.
Pocono Gives Solar the Green Flag
By: Mike Kuhns, 9/17/2009
Pocono Raceway will become the largest solar power producer among U.S. sports facilities with a $17 million solar farm that's being constructed on a 25-acre former parking lot. The 2.5-mile speedway, which hosts two NASCAR Sprint Cup events annually, expects to be using solar by the first race next spring.
Wine Could Be Fine in South-Central PA
By: Joel Berg, 9/17/2009
A new vineyard near Gettysburg is harvesting grapes for the first time and raising the stakes for Pennsylvania's growing wine industry in a region best known for apples and pears.
Q&A: Bill Hennessy, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association
By: Joe Petrucci, 9/10/2009
Record crowds are expected for the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association's Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival on Sept. 18-20 in Berks County, so we spoke with MAREA executive director Bill Hennessy about the expanded program and his organization's new book on solar electricity.
Spectacle: Experimental Artists in Bethlehem
By: Brad Bower, 9/10/2009
Risk-taking and change-making artists bring their unconventional works to the Banana Factory, which plays host to the 18th annual International Society of Experimental Artists Juried Exhibition through Nov. 8.
Higher Ground: Downtown University Tied to Harrisburg's Rebirth
By: John Steele, 9/3/2009
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, founded in the city's downtown in 2001, is intertwined with the hopes of a new state capitol for the 21st century, replacing post-industrial job losses and offsetting "brain drain."
Penn State Students Reach for the Stars--and the Sun
By: John Steele, 8/27/2009
At Penn State's Student Space Programs Laboratory, student innovators
are working on projects that could power future space programs--or
revolutionize emerging earth-bound industries like solar and satellite
technology.
Spectacle: Creative Entrepreneurs of Philly, part II
By: Photos by Mike Persico, words by Felicia D'Ambrosio, 8/27/2009
Philadelphia is fertile ground for young entrepreneurs, who are staking
their claim on popular culture. Check out our slideshow, the second in
a reoccurring series of young creatives across the Commonwealth who
have opened up shop for themselves.
Spectacle: Philly Folk Fest
By: Jeff Fusco, 8/20/2009
The 48th Annual Philadelphia Folk Fest descended on Schwenksville last week along with thousands of attendees and big-time bands like The Decemberists, Iron and Wine, Deer Tick, Langhorne Slim, The Del McCoury Band and a host of homegrown Pennsylvania groups.
Spectacle: Eating Across East Passyunk Ave.
By: Mike Persico, 8/13/2009
Philadelphia's hottest new dining district is on East Passyunk Avenue. The old standbys like Marra's and Lucio J. Mancuso & Son are thriving alongside newcomers like Izumi, the area's only place for sushi, Capogiro Gelato and a handful of new places slated to open in September. Here's a walk-through.
Bellyfull: Philly's Passyunk Avenue
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio, 8/13/2009
A tradition of great Italian dining, popular taverns and a recent
influx of young creatives have established a
vibrant dining scene in Philadelphia's oldest commercial district. New and old are melding on the Avenue to form an intriguing new South Philly destination.
Handmade in PA Pulls Artisans Together Online
By: Christine H. O'Toole, 8/6/2009
Social networking, online stores and marketing methods of the future are coming in handy for hundreds of Pennsylvania artists and crafters who make their wares the old-fashioned way--by hand.
Q&A: Chris Haran of Great Valley Technology Associates
By: Joe Petrucci, 8/6/2009
New York native Chris Haran has tried to bring a little of the Big Apple with him to Northeast Pennsylvania--literally. Haran has managed the Wall Street West initiative since its inception in 2000; we talked with him recently about WSW and his job as president and CEO of Great Valley Technology Associates.
All Hail the Billtown Craft-Beer Revolution! (part 2 of 2)
By: Dan Eldridge, 7/29/2009
Lycoming County's burgeoning microbrew scene is comprised of small,
scrappy breweries that prefer to compete with the big dogs by
supporting each other and maintaining a regional reputation for
excellence.
Q&A: Jerry Greiner of Arcadia University
By: Joe Petrucci, 7/29/2009
A billboard that greets thousands of eyes every day next to 30th Street Station, near heart of the University City section of Philadelphia, announces Arcadia University, located 12 miles away in the suburb of Glenside, as the nation's preeminent study abroad school.
The Neo-Agrarians: Small-scale Farming, Large-scale Economic Impact
By: Joe Petrucci, 7/23/2009
Small-scale urban farming is gaining popularity in Commonwealth cities
as attitudes change about where we get our food. As urban agriculture
catches on, groups like SPIN-Farming look to recast farming as a small
business for entrepreneurs in cities and suburbs.
All Hail the Billtown Craft-Beer Revolution! (part 1 of 2)
By: Dan Eldridge, 7/23/2009
Formerly known by microbrew snobs as "The Wasteland of Good Beer," the
whistlestop city of Williamsport and its surrounding Lycoming County
have suddenly become the state's hippest spots to quaff a hoppy IPA.
Here's how it all went down.
Q&A: Steve Miller of Exit Philadelphia Skateboard Supply
By: John Davidson, 7/23/2009
We talked with Exit skate shop's Steve Miller about the transformation of Pop's Playground, a near-derelict park in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood that has been rebuilt as a skatepark and celebrates its grand re-opening Saturday, July 25.
Lancaster's Slow Motion Resurgence
By: Joel Berg, 7/16/2009
A new hotel and convention center opened this summer in Lancaster after
a 10-year odyssey, but local businesses and arts organizations didn't
wait around to get the party started; they've been working hard on the
city's resurgence for years.
Spectacle: Kutztown Folk Festival
By: Brad Bower, 7/16/2009
The Kutztown Folk Festival is something of an institution in
Pennsylvania. For one week every year, the event explores and
resurrects the old Pennsylvania Dutch ways. Check out our slideshow of this years festival, which just ended July 11.
Q&A: Don Miller, aka NO CARRIER
By: John Davidson, 7/16/2009
Remember the music from your original Nintendo games? That decades-old digital music is finding new life in the form of chiptunes. We spoke with Philadelphia-based chiptune artist Don Miller, aka NO CARRIER, about the burgeoning 8-bit music scene in Philly.
Titans Clash in Philly: the Battle Between Comcast and Verizon Heats Up
By: John Steele, 7/9/2009
Comcast and Verizon have been trading blows in Philadelphia for a
while--vying for hearts, minds and subscriptions. But last month,
Verizon sent Comcast a cease and desist order, claiming the cable
giant's attack ads were illegal. But neither company is backing down, which might be good for Philly customers.
Q&A: Mark Basla, DVIRC
By: John Davidson, 6/25/2009
The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center
hosted the state's first manufacturing summit on sustainability June 24. We spoke with the DVIRC's Mark Basla about how local manufacturers can
get a leg up by being more efficient.
From Blight to Bounty: East Liberty's Enright Garden
By: Marty Levine, 6/18/2009
How a community garden project in Pittsburgh's East Liberty
neighborhood has brought together nonprofit groups, a local private
school and a nearby Whole Foods--and in the process become a catalyst
for the revitalization.
Spectacle: Bistro 7 and the Beet Salad
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio and Mike Persico, 6/18/2009
Michael O'Halloran, head chef and owner of Bistro 7 in Philadelphia's Old City, shows Keystone Edge how to make his sumptuous beet terrine salad. O'Halloran plans to offer the bold flavors of Hong Kong street food at his new restaurant, Kong, opening in July in Philly's Northern Liberties.
AnySource Media is About to Cram the Internet into Your TV
By: John Davidson, 6/18/2009
AnySource Media CEO Mike Harris wants to bring Internet video to HDTV,
and his Malvern-based startup has built a software platform that does
just that. What's more, his company has a revenue model that might just
make the venture profitable.
Q&A: Chad Ludeman and Nic Darling of Postgreen
By: John Davidson, 6/18/2009
We sat down with the guys behind the highly acclaimed 100K House to find out about their company's next project, which is to build even more energy efficient homes than before--with a wider selection of design options.
Taking the Show on the Road: Ron Kamionka and the Art of the Nightclub
By: Sara Bozich, 6/11/2009
Back when the nightlife in downtown Harrisburg was barely louder than a
whisper, one man's knack for attracting crowds became an integral part
of the city's downtown renaissance. Ten years later, Ron Kamionka has
replicated his success in cities throughout the Commonwealth.
Spectacle: History Comes to Life at WWII Weekend in Reading
By: Brad Bower, 6/11/2009
The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading held its 20th Annual WWII
Weekend on June 4-6. The annual event, held at Reading Regional Airport,
displayed one of the finest collections of working WWII aircraft and
vehicles in the world. The weekend included an airshow, elaborate battle
reenactments and live weapons demonstrations. Check out our slideshow
of this rare historical display in the heart of Pennsylvania.
Going For It: Bootstrapping Booms in Philadelphia
By: Brian Hickey, 6/4/2009
Unlikely as it might seem, startup companies continue
to crop up across southeastern Pennsylvania. As larger companies drop
talent to cut costs, networks of entrepreneurs are forming dynamic
communities and fueling a surge of small startups in the region.
Spectacle: Creative Entrepreneurs of Philly
By: Mike Persico, 6/4/2009
Philadelphia is fertile ground for young entrepreneurs, who are staking
their claim on popular culture. Check out our slideshow, the first in what will be a reoccurring series of a young
creatives across the Commonwealth who have opened up shop for themselves.
The Millionaire Boys Club
By: Dan Eldridge, 5/28/2009
The story of Malvern-based Xoxide is that rare tale of three high school computer
whizzes making millions; it is a tale of computer shells, tachometers,
blow driers, bird cages, and after-market Ford Mustang parts.
Spectacle: Sands Casino Opens in Bethlehem
By: Brad Bower, 5/28/2009
A sparking new slots casino opened last week at the former site of Bethlehem Steel. The former foundry is now home to Sands Casino Resort, which boasts 3,000 gaming machines in a 139,000-square-foot space. Check out our slideshow of the casino's grand opening last week.
Spectacle: Wilkes-Barre Fine Arts Fiesta
By: Aimee Dilger, 5/21/2009
Wilkes-Barre held its annual Fine Arts Fiesta last week, the longest-running festival of its kind in Pennsylvania, designed to showcase and celebrate the arts in the Wyoming Valley. Check out our slideshow of the festivities.
Q&A: Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., President of the University of Scranton
By: John Davidson, 5/21/2009
Last week, the University of Scranton broke ground on the Unified
Science Center, an approximately $70 million building that will be the
nerve center of the school's science and math departments. We spoke
with President Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., about the state of science and
math education, the Unified Science Center and what it means for the
university's future.
Q&A: George Jensen, CEO of USA Technologies
By: Joe Petrucci, 5/14/2009
As CEO and founder of Malvern-based USA Technologies, George Jensen has overseen huge profits for the company in the last few years. Last June, USA Technologies reported
$16 million in revenue--$7 million more than fiscal 2007. We spoke with
Jensen about his company's
remarkable growth, its leadership in the industry, and how technology
is changing the way consumers make purchases.
Spectacle: 9th Street Italian Market Festival
By: Jeff Fusco, 5/14/2009
One of the hallmarks of springtime in Philly is the 9th Street Italian Market Festival: two days of food, music and tons of people packed into the city's famed 9th Street Italian Market. Check out our slideshow of the market and try to make it out to the festival this Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17.
Q&A: Barbara VanKirk of IQ Inc.
By: John Davidson, 5/7/2009
Barbara VanKirk, founder of the Murrysville-based IT consulting firm IQ
Inc., has been in the software business for more than 30 years and has
seen drastic changes to the industry. We spoke with
VanKirk about the past, the ever-changing present and the
not-too-distant future of computer technology.
Three Emerging Trends in Innovation--and Three Concerns
By: John Davidson, 5/7/2009
Jeff DeGraff, known to major corporations like Apple, Pfizer and Toyota as the "innovation guru," will be in Bethlehem next week for Ben Franklin Technology Partners' i xchange 2009 networking event. In anticipation of his keynote address, we asked DeGraff to share his thoughts about emerging trends in innovation. And we listened carefully.
Northern Exposure: Philly's River Ward Restaurant Week
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio, 4/30/2009
From May 1 to May 6, restaurants throughout Philadelphia's river ward
put their best dishes forward for the area's first-ever Restaurant
Week--as sure a sign as any that these
post-industrial neighborhoods are on the rise.
The Power of Sludge
By: Rory Sweeney, 4/23/2009
Bruce Bruso has found a way to create clean-burning 'smart fuel' from a
combination of sewage sludge and coal. All he needs now is the capital
to build a regional hub plant and show the technology in action.
Stimulus Breakdown: Where the Money's Going
By: John Steele, 4/23/2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has begun sending funds to America's most troubled cities. Interest in how tax dollars are being spent is high, so we thought we should let you know where Pennsylvania's sizable piece of the funding
pie is going to end up. Here's a look at three large funding recipients--and what they plan to do with your money.
Reclaiming the Rivers: A Holistic Vision for Pittsburgh
By: Abby Mendelson, 4/16/2009
Once industrial wastelands, Pittsburgh's Three Rivers are now engines
driving the twin goals of recreation and economic growth--and a shining
example of how to reconnect a city to its waterfront.
Spectacle: Berks Jazz Fest
By: Brad Bower, 4/9/2009
The Berks Jazz Fest wrapped up ten intense days of music on Sunday, and Keystone Edge was there for the madness. From March 27 to April 5, Reading played host to one of the largest jazz festivals in the country, featuring jazz luminaries like Gerald Veasley, David Benoit, Phoebe Snow and Bela Fleck. Check out our slideshow.
Bricks, Mortar and Styrofoam
By: Rory Sweeney, 4/2/2009
How energy-use awareness is changing the way buildings are constructed
in Pennsylvania and giving rise to new, energy efficient technologies like insulated concrete forms
that will save homeowners big bucks in the long run.
Dockside Green: A Mixed-Use Model for Pennsylvania
By: Marty Levine, 4/2/2009
The developer of the most ecologically innovative new community in North America came from Victoria, British Colombia to tell Western Pennsylvania's green building conference that sharing ideas was vital--especially today.
Spectacle: Philly Roller Girls
By: Jeff Fusco, 4/2/2009
In case you don't know, The Philly Roller Girls is a skater-owned and operated all-girl roller derby league that brought roller derby back to Philadelphia in 2005. The roller girls are a site to see; check out our slideshow of their match on March 7.
From Sustainable Buildings to Sustainable Communities
By: Marty Levine, 3/26/2009
A Pittsburgh nonprofit is working to reshape a struggling
neighborhood by reconnecting residential buildings to storefronts,
parks and community assets. It's part of a broad effort to
redefine the term 'sustainable development' to include entire
communities--not just buildings.
Q&A: Jim Cecere, Philly Startup Leaders and The Entrepreneur Expo
By: John Davidson, 3/26/2009
Next week, Philly Startup Leaders will host The Entrepreneur Expo, at which some 40 local entrepreneurs will exhibit their startups and a handful will give presentations. We spoke with one of the expo organizers, Jim Cecere--who is also a Philly entrepreneur in the process of launching an asset management firm--about the state of the startup community in Philadelphia and why it's thriving even amid tough economic times.
Unleashing the Market: The Promise of Electricity Deregulation
By: Rory Sweeney, 3/26/2009
As a 1996 electricity price deregulation law gradually takes effect
across the Commonwealth, electricity costs have been increasing
sharply. But as rate caps expire, new players are emerging--and showing
how a competitive market could eventually lower costs for everyone.
Allentown's Big Idea: An Arena For All Seasons--And Shows
By: John Steele, 3/19/2009
A new arena for the Flyers' farm team, the Phantoms, could bring more
than minor league hockey to Allentown; it could change the way people
in the Lehigh Valley see live music, and lure a whole new roster of
national touring acts.
Spectacle: Beer Week Slideshow!
By: Mike Persico, 3/12/2009
Beer Week rages on in Philly, with America's number one beer-drinking city making the most of it (espresso stout on DRAFT!?). Beer events and specials are literally everywhere you turn, and Keystone Edge has been keeping an eye on the festivities. Here's what we've seen so far...
Philly Beer Week Throws Down
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio, 3/5/2009
An inflatable-suit sumo wrestling match, beer-themed burlesque, morning
bikerides to brewpubs and other unusual events will mark Philly's
annual Beer Week beginning Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 15.
Keystone Edge has a rousing preview and picks.
Spectacle: 'Bella Italia' at the 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show
By: Mike Persico, 3/5/2009
One sure way to beat the late winter doldrums is by going to the 2009
Philadelphia Flower Show, 'Bella Italia,' which runs through March 8.
If you can't make it in person, do the next best thing and check out
our awesome slideshow.
Guns, Cigars and the Algebra of Recession
By: Rory Sweeney, 2/26/2009
Yes, we're in the middle of a massive recession. But what
you might not know is that tight times are giving an unexpected boost to
some industries in Pennsylvania--from sporting goods retailers to
schools with MBA programs.
Q&A: Dr. Mel Schiavelli, President of Harrisburg University
By: John Davidson, 2/26/2009
On Wednesday, Harrisburg University dedicated its brand new,
$73-million Academic Center in downtown Harrisburg. We spoke with HU
President Dr. Mel Schiavelli about the ultramodern facility and how
schools like HU can help revitalize a city and make a region
competitive in the global economy.
Follow Keystone Edge on Twitter!
By: Keystone Edge staff, 2/26/2009
We totally have a Twitter page now just like everyone else. We'll be posting story headlines and other useful items on our Twitter feed, so follow us. And we'll follow you. And we can all follow each other. Oh man this is gonna be fun, I can already tell...
Rethinking Office Space: A Different Way to Work
By: Abby Mendelson, 2/19/2009
Across Pennsylvania, companies that rely on creativity are crafting new
kinds of work environments--and in the process reshaping the way
employees think and work
The Curious Case of Button Oil Company
By: Rory Sweeney, 2/19/2009
Since 1933, the Buttons have kept their family business going strong in
Northeast Pennsylvania through innovation and perseverance--even in the
most difficult circumstances.
Q&A: Terry Singer of Ben Franklin Technology Partners
By: John Davidson, 2/19/2009
A new study by the Pennsylvania Economy League showed that companies
funded by Ben Franklin Technology Partners grew the state economy by
$9.3 billion from 2002-2006, created thousands of jobs and returned
$3.50 for each $1 spent. We talked to Terry Singer, Director, Statewide Affairs for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners about
the success of the program and how it can help the economy through
tough times.
Q&A: Inaugural Twestivals
By: John Davidson, 2/12/2009
On Thursday night, Twitterers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will join
Twitterers on every continent, in more than 100 cities worldwide, in a
massive "Twestival."
Spectacle: Chinese New Year in Philly
By: Jeff Fusco, 2/12/2009
Philly's Chinatown came alive with dragons and drums and fireworks recently to ring in the Year of the Ox. The 2009 Chinese New Year began on Jan. 26, and Keystone Edge was there for some of the fanfare. They say the Ox is a sign of prosperity. Here's to the Ox.
Q&A: Diane LaBelle of GoggleWorks
By: John Davidson, 2/5/2009
The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts has been a catalyst for the revitalization of Reading's downtown since it opened in the fall of 2005. We spoke with Executive Director Diane LaBelle about how a cluster of abandoned industrial buildings became a first-class arts and cultural center.
Join the Keystone Edge Group on Facebook
By: Keystone Edge Staff, 2/5/2009
We know you have a Facebook account and are probably on it everyday. If you're also a subscriber to Keystone Edge, or if you're just a huge fan of our site, then join our Facebook group today!
Rye Me a River
By: Felicia D'Ambrosio, 1/29/2009
On the heels of Philadelphia's beer renaissance, a few bars are finding success in classic
cocktail culture and pre-Prohibition mixology--and helping to redefine Philly's fast-fading
shot-and-beer image.
Living Spaces, Philadelphia: Outside the Old, Inside the New
By: Teresa Masterson, 1/29/2009
The ubiquity of Philadelphia's historic rowhomes belies a city teeming
with 21st-century architecture. Design firms and architects are toying
with time in neighborhoods like Old City and Society Hill, where
innovation is unfolding behind classic brick facades.
Q&A: Kelly Lee of Innovation Philadelphia
By: John Davidson, 1/29/2009
Philadelphia's creative economy is strong and growing. To get a better sense of how the city's creative class is an economic driver and how the region can tap into it, we talked with Kelly Lee, executive VP of Innovation
Philadelphia.
Living Spaces: Pittsburgh
By: Abby Mendelson, 1/22/2009
A new breed of architects is employing cutting-edge design and
contemporary concepts of space and style to remake the way people live
in cities throughout the Commonwealth. In this first installment of a
reoccurring series on new architecture, Keystone Edge explores some of
Pittsburgh's outstanding homes.
Going Green and Making Green: Educating Consumers for a New Industry
By: Joe Petrucci, 1/22/2009
Montgomery County entrepreneur Tom Ambler's online startup, Exclusively
Green Market, offers a host of green goods from shoelaces to shower
curtains. The hard part, he says, isn't finding earth-friendly products
to sell; it's getting consumers to understand why they are better--and
why they cost more.
Pennsylvania's Infrastructure Realignment: Technology Driving Renewal
By: John Steele, 1/15/2009
President-elect Obama has announced plans for massive infrastructure
investment, and scientists and engineers across the Commonwealth have
taken note. As concern over our crumbling infrastructure grows, researchers
at Penn State are hoping for a chance to show what they can do.
If You Build It, They Will Come: How to Make Iron Pigs Fly
By: John Davidson, 1/8/2009
Professional baseball came back to the Lehigh Valley last year for the
first time since 1960 in the form of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, AAA
affiliate of the Phillies. One of the principal architects of the plan
to build the stadium, former Lehigh County Community and Economic
Development Director Ken Mohr, talked with us about why this project
succeeded where others had failed.
Spectacle: 2009 Mummers Parade Slideshow
By: Jeff Fusco, 1/8/2009
No city rings in the New Year quite like Philadelphia. The Mummers
Parade, certainly one of the most bizarre folk traditions in the country,
lit up Broad Street on New Year's Day in a swirling mass of string bands,
colorful costumes, and beer.
PA Companies Tap into Electricity Deregulation
By: Marty Levine, 12/18/2008
As vast swaths of the Commonwealth brace for electricity rate caps to
expire and drive up prices, emerging PA firms are having success helping
businesses and consumers find ways to save.
Happy Holidays from Keystone Edge
By: Keystone Edge, 12/18/2008
Keystone Edge is taking the next two weeks off to celebrate the holidays and get some rest before the new year. We'll be back with a sparkling new issue on January 8, 2009.
The Big Play: Risks and Rewards in the Marcellus Shale
By: Rory Sweeney, 12/11/2008
As natural gas drilling rigs come online across northeast Pennsylvania,
landowners and energy companies alike are hoping the Marcellus Shale
will yield billions of dollars worth of natural gas and reinvigorate
the region's economy. Some residents are also hoping to learn from the
experience of communities elsewhere in the country, where drilling for
natural gas has brought mixed results.
Leading Ventures Keep Their Cool
By: Marty Levine, 12/10/2008
In an uncertain economy, top VC firms in Pennsylvania are sticking to
what they know works best: software and information technology
companies with solid business models and well-laid plans for growth.
Raising the Ship: CMU Robotics Team Gunning for the Moon
By: Abby Mendelson, 12/4/2008
Dr. William "Red" Whittaker and his team of young scientists at
Carnegie Mellon are competing in the Google Lunar X PRIZE--a $30
million international competition to send a robot to the moon. But
Whittaker isn't in it for the money or the moon; he wants robots to
change the world.
Philly's American Commerce Center: Looking Beyond the Credit Crunch
By: Thomas Walsh, 12/4/2008
With credit markets frozen and the economy in recession, it might seem
like the proposed 1,500-foot American Commerce Center in Philadelphia
will need a series of miracles to survive. But the mixed-use behemoth has already managed to get the zoning approvals
it needs from City Council, and also reportedly has hefty financial
backing. Against the odds, plans are moving forward. All it needs now
is a small miracle.
The New Downtowns: Renaissance in the Long Run
By: Marty Levine, 11/20/2008
Cities across the Commonwealth are working hard to re-make their
downtowns in the hope that a thriving center of mixed-use developments
and cultural amenities is the key to a sustainable future.
Three Rivers Film Festival: Q&As with Pittsburgh Directors
By: Erin Goldberger, 11/20/2008
"Deuce," a documentary screened last week at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, tells the story of Lawrence "Deuce" Skurcenski, a Pittsburgh sports fixture for the last half-century. Another festival film, "The Korean," is an action-packed feature from Pittsburgh director Thomas Dixon. Keystone Edge sat down with the brothers behind "Deuce," Joe and Mark Graziano, and also with Dixon, to talk about filming in Pittsburgh.
At EthosGen, Ethanol is a Family Affair
By: Rory Sweeney, 11/13/2008
About 20 years after Bill Abrams figured out an efficient way to make
ethanol, his son Jim is figuring out how to make it profitable.
Going to Work Playing Games
By: John Steele, 11/13/2008
In terms of annual revenue, which is expected to top $57 billion next
year, video games are the new Hollywood. So shouldn't game developers
get the same incentives to do business here that filmmakers do?
The 100K House: How a Philly Startup is Trying to Change the Green Housing Industry
By: Teresa Masterson, 10/30/2008
About four years ago, Chad Ludeman and his wife Courtney bought a house
and spent two years and their life savings working to restore and
rehabilitate it. Then on Memorial Day 2006 Chad came home from his
engineering job and told his wife he wanted to sell their house, quit
his job, and build an affordable "green" house, proving to the world
that you don't have to be wealthy to build and live green.
Urban Renewal and The Promise Of PA's Brownfields
By: John Steele, 10/16/2008
As Pennsylvania communities become increasingly engaged with development projects, they are beginning to grapple with the question of brownfield redevelopment--and are making their voices heard.
Free Agent Nation
By: Brian Hickey, 10/10/2008
Web designers, reporters, and a host of other professionals in Pennsylvania are shrugging off allegiance to a single company and striking out on their own as freelancers. The result is a new way of working, marked by an intensely creative entrepreneurial spirit.
Rooftops Sprout Over Pittsburgh
By: Joseph Plummer, 10/10/2008
In Pittsburgh, engineers are working with nature to shape spaces and grow buildings--literally. Green rooftops are taking root on some of the Steel City's most distinctive buildings.