2009 Archives
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC's Murata Business Center Wins Economic Development Program of the Year Award
HARRISBURG (October 8, 2009) - Approximately 200 economic development professionals from Maryland to Maine gathered at the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 21st during the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) 2009 Fall Conference and the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) luncheon honoring the winners of PEDA's annual awards for the 2008 calendar year. PEDA President Robert J. Blair presented awards for Large Economic Development Agency of the Year, Small Economic Development Agency of the Year, Economic Developer of the Year, Project of the Year, Program of the Year and Partner of the Year.
The program of the year award was given to the Murata Business Center, a business incubator, for its on-going work in helping to start and grow new businesses. Since 2003, Murata has incubated 7 companies that remain in business or have been merged or acquired. Two of Murata's businesses were purchased by large national companies. Currently, Murata is occupied, with 9 companies being incubated. Its businesses collectively employ close to 80 workers at the facility and excluding the acquired companies, Murata's graduates employ approximately 25 in the region. In 2008, Murata clients at the incubator collectively earned over $7 million in revenue.
Murata serves the business community as the host site for workshops and seminars provided by several of Murata's partners including the Shippensburg Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Ben Franklin Partnership and the regional IRC, MANTEC. Murata's 2008 "Dream it. Do it" programs reached 27 budding entrepreneurs who learned from experienced entrepreneurs how to take steps to start a business. In July of this year, Murata was awarded Soft Landings International Incubator certification by the National Business Incubator Association, a designation given to only 13 incubators worldwide which are recognized as an organization that can help companies from other countries enter the U.S. market.
The facility is financially underwritten by the Chamber & CREDC through private contributions and public support from Dauphin and Perry Counties, the City of Harrisburg and Carlisle Borough. Murata is professionally staffed by Executive Director, Karen Gunnison, and Facilities Manager, Alex Quigley.
"To have Murata's work recognized by PEDA, with their state-wide perspective, means a lot to us," said Gunnison. "The work Murata does supporting small businesses that grow jobs for the region is more important in this economy than ever." For more information about Murata, visit: www.muratabusinesscenter.com .
"The decision to name a recipient is never an easy one for the PEDA Awards Committee to make," Bob Blair, President of the PEDA said. "There were several excellent nominations for each award. It is a matter of selecting the ‘best of the best.' Consideration for a PEDA Award is something to be proud of, not just because of the award itself, but ultimately because of the accomplishments that lead to it."
PEDA Awards are given annually by the organization. In 2004, the Chamber & CREDC won the PEDA Award for Large Economic Development Agency of the Year.
The Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) is the statewide association of local, state, corporate and non-profit economic development professionals. PEDA's mission is to promote sound economic development policies, provide leading edge economic development education, and nurture an effective statewide economic development network to foster the economic health of the Commonwealth.
The Murata Business Center is located in the Keystone Innovation Zone and the Technology Corridor Enterprise Zone, two state programs that may provide assistance in the form of tax credits, assistance seeking investment or financing help at later stages of business development.
The Murata Business Center is owned and operated by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC).The Murata Business Center provides entrepreneurs with support services. While in the incubator, a firm receives an array of training, mentoring and counseling opportunities, and shares a number of administrative services and personnel. For more information on the Center, contact Karen Gunnison at 717-249-2356 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
