Success Stories
Gibbs Greenhouse
Gibbs Greenhouse, starting a new Rimersburg based greenhouse, was approved for the second loan from the Summerville Brothers Economic Development Fund. The loan will fund start-up costs including buildings and equipment.
Gibbs Greenhouse has been started by Tina Gibbs. Ms. Gibbs considered starting a greenhouse and gift shop for several years and finally decided to take the step. Gibbs Greenhouse will specialize in a variety of heirloom vegetable plants, hot peppers, herbs and perennials. The storefront will offer consignment items from local artists and garden items. She plans to open the greenhouse in the spring – more information on hours of operations will be available online at http://ezgardening4u.blogspot.com or on the Gibbs Greenhouse Facebook page.
Bloom Town Flowers
Bloom Town Flowers, a Rimersburg based floral shop, was approved for the first loan from the Summerville Brothers Economic Development Fund. The loan will fund working capital and equipment.
Bloom Town Flowers is owned by Mrs. Rosalie Bliss. She purchased the business in August 2010. Bloom Town Flowers offers fresh and silk floral arrangements for all occasions, and large variety of plants, figurines, balloons, plush animals, baskets and throws. Bloom Town Flowers specializes in arrangements from traditional to contemporary.
To apply for the loan, Mrs. Bliss worked with the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center to put together a business plan. “I want to thank the Clarion University SBDC and the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation for their assistance”, said Mrs. Bliss.
Seven Seas Pools and Spas
One of the businesses assisted by Clarion County EDC and ABCD Corp utilizing the SBA 504 Loan Program is Seven Seas Pools and Spas. Founded in 1979, Seven Seas Pools and Spas sells a line of in-ground and above-ground swimming pools, a variety of spas, supplies, and accessories. Current owners Dan and Connie Carroll wanted to expand their business but their existing Clarion County location could not adequately support the planned growth. Dan and Connie purchased property at Two Hospital Drive (just off Exit 62 of Interstate 80) and are constructing a 24,000 building for the business. Approximately one half of the new building will be used for a new showroom area and the remaining half used for warehousing needs. The larger facility will enable Seven Seas to increase showroom space for existing products (spas and saunas) and add items that are not currently offered (patio furniture, game room equipment, and bar stools). The Clarion County Community Bank, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan Program, and equity from the principals are financing the project.
Scheduled to open this spring, the new facility will enable Seven Seas Pools and Spas to better serve its existing customer base through expanded offerings. In addition, the new space will provide customers with a selection of items beyond the traditional lines carried by the business. Because of the extensive and upscale product offerings and its proximity to Interstate 80 location, the larger Seven Seas Pools and Spas operation will have the ability to draw customers from much of western Pennsylvania and become a recreation destination and total family entertainment store.
Clarion Fruit Company
The Clarion Fruit Company was added to the Business Retention and Expansion Program with a first visit in 2005. During the second annual visit, this wholesaler communicated several significant needs, including issues pertaining to workforce and technology.
Clarion Fruit, who usually employs 20 people, was down to a crew of only 15. Mr. Bruce Cherico received immediate applicant-screening assistance from the PA CareerLink as a result of a Customer Action Plan indicating their five open positions. Also, the CCEDC office assisted Clarion Fruit in applying for an eBizITPA IT Kickstart grant to subsidize the cost of a custom inventory software development project. The project was approved within days and the company was awarded $2,452 to support their IT development project.
Clarion Boards, Colony Factory Crafted Homes and Piney Creek LLC
One of the CCEDC’s major goals is to improve the workforce in Clarion County, thereby making our companies more competitive. To that end, we are continually working with local employers to develop training plans and seek state and federal funding for the items on that plan.
The month of October was a great one for our companies seeking funding, as we received three separate awards totaling $20,200. Congratulations to Clarion Boards, Piney Creek LLC and Colony Factory Crafted Homes. Each of these employers will be able to submit training invoices for five-figure reimbursements.
If your company is interested in taking advantage of the training grants available, please contact the CCEDC. We will work with you to complete a training plan document, and then submit your needs to the most appropriate source for funding.
Stewart Labs
Stewart Labs, a Clarion County Environmental Testing Laboratory,was able to fund an upcoming equipment purchase with the assistance of the CCEDC, the Northwest Commission and the Small Business Development Center. The CCEDC's Genesis Loan Fund supplied $10,000 toward the purchase of the equipment, and our staff assisted with some additional financial paperwork for the Northwest Commission. The Small Business Development Center worked with Stewart Labs to createand update a business plan, including the financials needed to secure additional bank loans toward the purchase.
Last Updated: November 08, 2011
