news & events

DUBOIS, Pa. — The North Central PA LaunchBox is once again joining with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, an award-winning, tech-based economic development program, to offer emerging entrepreneurs and small manufacturers the opportunity to participate in the fun, risk-free $50,000 BIG IDEA Contest. This pitch competition is open to private sector, economic development professionals, and anyone who has an idea for an innovation that could turn into a business opportunity. Since the contest’s inception, nearly $2 million in cash prizes have been awarded throughout the program’s 32-county footprint in central and Northern Pennsylvania. Winning up to $50,000 will go a long way in...

DUBOIS, Pa. — The North Central PA LaunchBox and Penn State DuBois Continuing Education are launching the LaunchBox Speaker Series, designed to touch upon a broad scope of industries to provide education and enlightenment during the COVID Pandemic, touching on important topics for healthcare, powder metal, education and retail. The series has been created with the help of grant money provided by North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Partnership for Regional Planning (PREP). PREP is a statewide program launched in response to budget cuts that requires shared work programs among economic development agencies. The objective of the PREP initiative is...

CLEARFIELD, Pa. — The North Central PA LaunchBox has again joined the Clearfield County Commissioners in distributing funds vital to businesses struggling from hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners have announced another round of funding available for hospitality-related businesses. The COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) authorized and allocated by the state, has awarded $897,671 to Clearfield County. These funds will be disbursed to hospitality-related businesses that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross sales for any quarter in 2020 relative to 2019, and which can show a net loss (after any prior funds awarded, such as PPP...

DuBOIS, Pa. — Training recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be offered through Penn State DuBois Continuing and Community Education in April. This 10-hour training is intended to help employees in many different industries maintain a healthy and safe work environment. Those who enroll will meet from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on both April 26 and 27 at the North Central PA LaunchBox at 2 East Long Avenue, DuBois, Pennsylvania. Students will receive their OSHA 10 card in the mail following the class. Penn State DuBois offers this course in partnership with DMS Safety Consultants,...