Quanta Technologies and Way to Work
Lancaster: QUANTA Technologies is a technology company specializing in the application of coating technologies on polymer and glass for use in energy related applications. The Company has commercialized a new product - the QuantaPanel™ Insulating Glass System - a low-e storm window which has been demonstrated to achieve a 50% improvement in energy loss when installed over either existing single pane or double pane, metal-frame, non low-e windows.
In choosing a production site for the Company's first manufacturing operation, a number of potential locations were evaluated. Lancaster, PA was chosen by the company for its initial manufacturing plant based to a large extent on the availability of a quality workforce.
According to Jay R. Reyher, president of QUANTA, "Early in our selection process, we met with Scott Sheely of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board. We have a projected need for 60 - 80 skilled manufacturing employees in this operation over the course of a two to three year period.
Over lunch, Scott outlined a plan that we could jointly pursue which would provide for the identification, screening and selection of individuals targeted for specific positions within our new manufacturing plant. Scott's experience in assisting other companies in similar endeavors and his appreciation for the importance of key employee selection in a new site convinced us during that lunch that this was the right location for QUANTA."
Lancaster Improves Ranking on Best Performing Cities List
Santa Monica, CA: The 2010 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. In most years, these give a good indication of the underlying structural performance of regional economics. Click here to see the ranking of the 200 Largest Metros List. Click here to see the Lancaster County numbers only.
Lancaster improved its ranking from 156 in 2009 to 145 in 2010 primarily on the basis of its strong comparative job growth in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 where it ranks 95 and 65, respectively, among the top 200 metropolitan areas in the country. The local economy also demonstrated strong wage growth in 2007-2008 where it ranked 72.
In contrast, Lancaster continues to have a dismal showing in every measure related to "high tech"...High Tech GDP Growth and High Tech Location Quotient. The four measures show rankings between 146 and 171.
US DOJ Published ADA Revisions
Harrisburg: For the first time in nearly 18 years, the US Department of Justice has published the first major revisions to its ADA regulations. These changes, for the most part, go into effect in March 2011. Disability Rights Network has prepared a Fact Sheet summarizing the significant changes in the regulations and accessibility standards. To obtain a copy of the Fact Sheet, click here.
The changes affect state and local governments and public accommodations, such as restaurants, museums, stores, and other businesses that are open to the public. The changes govern a range of issues, including service animals, ticketing for public events, such as concerts and sporting events, reservations at hotels and similar accommodations, and prisons and other correctional facilities. In addition, new accessibility standards will go into effect shortly that will govern buildings and facilities operated by these types of entities and businesses.
