Published in the River Reporter
Wed, 02/13/2019 - 5:28pm
By DAVID HULSE
HONESDALE, PA — Penn State Extension Educator, Chelsea Hill, left, Wayne County’s Stourbridge Center Director Susan Shaffer and Jess Wolk, Wayne-Pike Workforce Alliance coordinator, are pictured on February 7 with Wayne commissioners Wendell Kay and Joe Adams.
The three managers detailed the entrepreneurial eco-system that has developed under the auspices of the commissioners’ “Wayne Tomorrow” plan. The Stourbridge Project, which is part of that, was recognized as the “Project of the Year” by the PA Economic Development Association, Shaffer noted.
The Stourbridge Project is a community-based initiative to transform a former elementary school into a business incubator and accelerator with co-working space. It pairs a place to work with coordinated delivery of business development services.
Hill, who was promoting the extension’s 41st annual Ag Day on February 18, has developed the program with Wayne Highlands High School in part to inspire entrepreneurial activity in the agricultural community.
Programs connect experienced mentors and educators to training programs, resources, and the business community. The Stourbridge’s stated goal is generally applicable; “to create new jobs, increased commerce, investment opportunities, a connection to emerging technologies and local businesses.”
The commissioners proclaimed the week of February 16 to 23 National Entrepreneurship Week in Wayne County.