The Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation (PMEDC) today announced the debut of a smartphone-ready app of its Website and commercial property database that is the first of its kind in the region.
PMEDC Executive Director Chuck Leonard and Board Chairman Michael Baxter were enthusiastic about the launch.
“After a challenging 2010, it feels terrific to hit the ground running in 2011 with a major initiative to give site selectors improved tools for researching our properties,” says Leonard. “With a strengthening economy and renewed interest in our area’s advantages as an ideal setting for logistics and distribution, this comes along at the perfect time.”
Developed by Michael Beckenbach and Associates (MB&A) via a PP&L Blue Ribbon grant, the app combines and reconfigures two sites: PMEDC.com and the former PASites.com, the expansive Pocono Mountains commercial and office property database developed in collaboration with Monroe County’s ad-hoc economic development marketing committee.
“Rather than a browser screen that requires resizing, smartphone users will discover convenient menus and views that are optimized for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and other smartphone screens,” says Michael Beckenbach, owner and chief strategist for MB&A.
“The new combined mobile site gives users fingertip access to comprehensive information about commercial, industrial, and office properties available in the Pocono Mountains region, as well as regional information, and data that complies with International Economic Development Council standards.”
“We are excited to be the first developer in the area to use this technology in support of a local business.”
Baxter believes that the new app will have an immediate impact on how PMEDC interacts with the site selection community.
“Nearly every broker and agent that I see or meet with carries a smartphone,” says Baxter. “It’s convenient to be able to access the Web on those phones, but looking at a standard Web site can be a bit challenging. The mobile.PMEDC.com app makes it very easy to navigate and search the property database.
“Now, when an agent is traveling through our area, there’s no delay in property research. They can drive by a property, pull over, look it up on their smartphone and start the process of qualifying that property for the clients.”
Leonard added, “PMEDC is proud that we are the first economic development corporation in Northeast Pennsylvania to bring this kind of innovation to our customers and stakeholders and we appreciate the financial support of PPLto help make it happen.”
Smartphone users can simply visit the PMEDC.com with their mobile device. The site will auto detect the device and deliver the appropriate content. As an added bonus, most mobile users will be able to set up an icon on their mobile device for easier access.