Mercer County Innovation Fund Supports Small Businesses

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Penn-Northwest Development Corporation announced a partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA to assist tech-based start-ups and small, existing manufacturers located in Mercer County that are in the process of developing a new product or process.

The Mercer County Innovation Fund totals $410,000. The first $100,000 came from Penn-Northwest Development Corporation. Additional funds came from the city of Hermitage, Community Hope Investment Partnership, the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone and the Greenville Area Economic Development Corporation.

“Ben Franklin gives us the opportunity to partner someone with someone that has all the expertise that we don’t have to really evaluate and position and council these companies for future success,” says Rod Wilt, executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation.

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