25 Ben Franklin Clients Named Governor’s Impact Award Finalists

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - April 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Twenty-five clients or alumni of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania will be recognized by Governor Tom Corbett as Pennsylvania companies and entrepreneurs that are creating high-value, sustainable jobs and making positive contributions to the state’s economy. Last year, 700 attended the inaugural Governor’s Impact Award luncheon. This year’s event will be held on May 30^th at the Hershey Lodge.

The Governor’s Impact Awards recognize companies from throughout the state in five categories. Ben Franklin client and alumni finalists are:

Community Impact Award Finalists

       Brodart, Williamsport, http://www.brodart.com
        B Braun Medical, Inc., Allentown, http://www.bbraunusa.com
        C. F. Martin & Company, Inc., Nazareth, http://www.martinguitar.com
        Ward Manufacturing, LLC, Blossburg, http://www.wardmfg.com

Entrepreneur Impact Award Finalists

       Columbia County Bread and Granola, Bloomsburg, http://www.columbiacountybread.com
        Computer Aid, Inc., Allentown, http://www.compaid.com
        CyOptics, Inc., now Avago Technolgoies, Breinigsville, http://www.avagotech.com
        Dynalene, Inc., Whitehall, http://www.dynalene.com
        NetDriven, Scranton, http://www.getnetdriven.com

Export Impact Award Finalists

       Bio Med Sciences, Inc., Allentown, http://www.silon.com
        Bioscience, Inc., Allentown, http://www.bioscienceinc.com
        Channel Veneers USA, Troy, http://www.channelveneers.com
        Gentex Corporation, Simpson, http://www.gentexcorp.com
        Saladax Biomedical, Inc., Bethlehem, http://www.saladax.com
        Vigon International, Inc., East Stroudsburg, http://www.vigon.com
        Weiler Corporation, Cresco, http://www.weilercorp.com

Jobs First Award Finalists

         Bazzini, LLC, Allentown, http://bazzininuts.com
        Benton Foundry, Inc., Benton, http://www.bentonfoundry.com
        East Penn Manufacturing, Inc., Lyon Station, http://www.eastpenn-deka.com
        Solar Innovations, Inc., Pine Grove, http://www.solarinnovations.com

Small Business Impact Award Finalists

        Altitude Marketing, Emmaus, http://www.altitudemarketing.com
        Appeeling Fruit, Inc., Dauberville, http://www.appeelingfruit.com
        Discovery Machine, Inc., Williamsport, http://wwwdiscoverymachine.com
        EcoTech Marine, LLC, Allentown, http://www.ecotechmarine.com
        Megaphase, LLC, Stroudsburg, http://www.megaphase.com

About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP), an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by linking companies with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. BFTP/NEP’s strategy encompasses three key areas:

1. developing early-stage technology-oriented companies,

2. helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices to achieve industry leadership, and

3. promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies.

Since beginning operation, BFTP/NEP has created 16,214 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and retained 22,155 existing jobs, started 458 new companies, and developed 1,279 new products and processes. BFTP/NEP is headquartered in and owns Ben Franklin TechVentures®, an award-winning incubator/post-incubator facility located on Lehigh University’s campus, Bethlehem and also owns the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners has returned $3.60 to the Pennsylvania treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program.