Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

Top 50 Employers: 4th Quarter 2010

Continuous growth in the number of businesses in Wyoming county affirms our "business friendly environment." Low property and real estate taxes, low utility and reasonable labor costs in conjunction with a number of proactive business programs make Wyoming County a very cost-effective business location. Check out these local demographics from 2005-2009 [.xls]

The Economic Development Committee has developed this 10 Step System for Commercial/Industrial Development and Expansion in Wyoming County.

• Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
• Planning Commissions
• Wyoming County Courthouse
• Municipal Secretary or Representative
• Surveyor/Engineer
• Natural Resource Conservation District
• Utility Companies
• Pennsylvania Highway Department
• Environmental Agencies
• Planning Commission

Capabilities

Numbering over 28,000, the people of Wyoming County are your most valuable resource. Our "old fashioned" work ethic, when combined with today's technology, provides businesses with an important competitive advantage.

Step 1:

Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee/Industrial Development Authority/Industrial Foundation

The first step in development, after finding an approximate location and determining that an adequate labor force exists for the proposed business or expansion, is to contact this office. They will provide lists of contact persons for each of the appropriate agencies and gain information beyond what is found in this Quick-Step Information list.

Step 2:

Planning Commissions (Local, County, and Regional)

To learn about development requirements and about how to submit to the appropriate commission for review and approval. For additional help, contact the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC). They have staff available to help and to locate possible funding through grants, and/or other means.

Step 3:

Wyoming County Courthouse (County Offices)

Assessment office for property locations, tax maps, ownership, existing taxes, proposed taxes and quick reference to deed books and page numbers.Recorder's office for copies of deeds, and recorded survey maps and to record new deeds, and/or change of ownerships.County Planning Commission, also located in the Courthouse for details of the comprehensive county plan and other information as mentioned in Step 2.

Step 4:

Municipal Secretary or Representative

To find ownership of roads, borough or township right-of-way descriptions, maximum gross load capabilities, building restrictions and issuance of permits and to generally become familiar with this government branch for future assistance in local rules, regulations, ordinances and guidelines. The supervisors or municipal authorities have contact with building inspectors and the local sewer enforcement officers and work together with them in determining the acceptability of a site for the prospective business and its needs.

Step 5:

Surveyor/Engineer

To prepare maps and outline details for submission of plan to the appropriate planning commission, agencies, or organizations for approval. Plans are submitted in stages for preliminary and final approvals. Contact with the appropriate agencies or organizations prior to this step is critically important to ensure the quickest possible route to implementing of the proposed plans.

Step 6:

Conservation District/Natural Resource Conservation Service

To get information and assistance for erosion and sedimentation control plans and acquire general permits for earth disturbance and streambank/channel related activities. A technician is available to do a site review and has access to the service to give advice on E&S stabilization procedures and will be able to predict some problems that a particular site could incur based on soil types, watershed areas, topography, and related land features.

Step 7:

Utility Companies

Includes energy companies, communications and transmission services, and water and sewer authorities. This is an important step to determine availability of adequate energy sources to the site, types of communication systems, and possibly the availability of community water and sewer to accommodate an increase and demand for the site.

Step 8:

Pennsylvania Highway Department

To obtain highway occupancy permits and guidelines if the access roads are state owned. Otherwise the local township and/or borough officials should be contacted.

Step 9:

Environmental Agencies (Local, State, Regional and Federal)

To obtain information and assistance on environmental concerns other than the general permits handled through the local conservation district office. Other environmental issues would include (but not limited to) waterway encroachment permits, wetland encroachment procedures and guidelines, and water and air pollution problems. Pennsylvania statewide engineers lists are available and updated regularly. Site inspections may be limited based on availability of staff so ample time must be given to accommodate scheduling for the different departments.

Step 10:

Planning Commissions

This step is repeated (Step 2), because this will probably be the final procedure and approval prior to construction if all other agencies have reviewed the plans and have issued permits. Final approval could be delayed if the previous steps have not been fulfilled.