Although the location decisions of relocating firms have generally been driven by factors such as land costs, labor costs and access to materials and markets, today quality of life for employees is becoming an important factor as well. This holds true in particular for attracting knowledge–based industries such as telecommunications and life science related companies. In an effort to showcase some of the quality of life amenities the region has to offer, each year Penn’s Northeast hosts a Fall Festival. This year’s event was held on Wednesday, September 12th, at Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.
The event also provides the opportunity for representatives from the region to meet with prospects and form better working relationships with them. Real estate brokers, developers, site selection consultants, representatives from the Governor’s Action Team and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development were invited to spend the day either golfing, clay shooting or fishing. The day was topped off by a reception, dinner and awards. More than 60 people attended, many of them real estate brokers and developers from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
According to John Cognetti, Chairman of Penn’s Northeast, “A day like this is one part of Penn’s Northeast’s marketing program. By this event not only do we introduce the region to new out of market brokers and developers in a subtle way, but we also thank those brokers who have brought new businesses and development to the region. Going forward, another part of the program will be to more fully engage the established regional businesses.”
PPL Electric Utilities was a corporate sponsor of this year’s event. In the winter, Penn’s Northeast co-sponsors Winterfest, a day of skiing and snowboarding at Sno Mountain in Lackawanna County.
Penn’s Northeast’s mission is to market Northeast Pennsylvania as a region on a national and international level, encouraging businesses to relocate from other areas, and assist in the growth and development of existing businesses. Visit Penn’s Northeast for more information.