The Corbett Administration Wednesday announced the award of a Discovered in PA – Developed in PA grant to help launch the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism's Get on the Trail! Entrepreneurial Business Plan contest created to offer entrepreneurial assistance and rewards to new and expanding business along the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail.

"The tourism industry continues to be an economic driver in Pennsylvania that employs more than 290,000 in the commonwealth – the majority at small businesses," Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker said. "The Corbett Administration is proud to support the Oil Region Alliance's initiative to spur business growth and job creation along the trails."

The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism was awarded a $55,000 Discovered in PA – Developed in PA (D2PA) grant to support the Get on the Trail! Entrepreneurial Contest for Business Development and Expansion.

The initiative offers entrepreneurial assistance and rewards to new and expanding businesses along the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, a mega greenway and long-distance bicycle and multiple use recreational trails.

The program was developed to support the ORA and its partners through the economic development and community improvement initiative working to ensure that trail communities and businesses better attract and accommodate trail users through the development.

The Get on the Trail! Entrepreneurial Contest for Business Development and Expansion program will offer entrepreneurial assistance and rewards to new and expanding businesses. The contest proposes to fill buildings ready for new business with winners of the 2-cycle entrepreneur contest.

Contest winners could potentially occupy a newly configured building along one of the five trail adjacent towns in Titusville, Oil City, Foxburg, Franklin and Emlenton. ORA anticipates creating at least 10 new jobs through the contest.

ORA will collaborate with Venango Area Chapter of SCORE, Clarion University Small Business Development Center, Gannon University Small Business Development Center, Oil City Main Street Program, Council on Greenways and Trails, Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce.

D2PA was established by the Corbett administration in 2011 to build capacity to better support Pennsylvania businesses and to spur creativity and innovation in the provision of economic development services.

D2PA funds are used to promote entrepreneurship, encourage technology transfer, build capacity for regional economic development, and proactively reach out to businesses.

12/9/2013