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AUGUSTINE NAMED DIRECTOR OF
CHAMBER'S
INNOVATION CENTER @ WILKES-BARRE
WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry announced today that John L. Augustine, III has accepted the position as Director of Operations and Entrepreneurial Development at The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre. Located on South Main Street in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, the Innovation Center project is transforming the former Woolworth's facility into a key center that will help launch knowledge-based businesses. As Director of the Innovation Center, Augustine will work in conjunction with regional organizations and resources toward the goal of reinventing the image of Northeastern Pennsylvania and foster the environment necessary to transition the region into the knowledge-based economy of the 21st Century.
Augustine will be responsible for the marketing and managing of the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre, including the development of operating plans and policies, the development and management of tenant services, advisory board, and external relations; preparation and administration of the operating budget; and development and maintenance of web pages and other marketing materials. Stephen M. Barrouk, President/CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber comments, "We look forward to John applying his expertise and knowledge in the areas of technology, website development, recruitment and education to this project and we believe he will be an asset to the revitalization and the future of Downtown Wilkes-Barre."
"The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre is a project of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, in conjunction with the Great Valley Technology Alliance, the Great Valley Technology Institute, Northeastern Pennsylvania colleges and universities and the Ben Franklin Technology Partnership. I will work directly with them, to use the opportunities and resources provided by the Innovation Center to launch knowledge-based business and make this area a center of education, communication and collaborative, applied research," explains Augustine. "We have created an advisory board to implement the structure of the organization, tenant criteria and to identify resources. As Director, I am looking forward to working with the Chamber to generate quality, highly skilled jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania."
In addition to founding his own Internet marketing and website development firm, Augustine held the position of Director of Technology/Information Architect at CollegeRecruiting.com -- assisting with the company's launch, and overseeing digital marketing, website development and maintenance, customer service and technology. He has also worked as Director of College Events and Internet Development Manager at beyondthewall.com and as Internet Marketing Specialist and Systems Administrator for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber. A graduate of King's College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, Augustine has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Penn State, King's College and Luzerne County Community College. He is currently a member of the board of the Great Valley Technology Alliance and a graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre.
The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre is the first facility of its kind in Luzerne County. Barrouk explains, "The Chamber, with the help of the Great Valley Technology Alliance, and its partners, created the plans for the Innovation Center, which will foster new technology and serve as a place to combine energy, ideas and expertise to encourage entrepreneurship and create quality jobs. The location of the Center was carefully chosen to complement the Chamber's ongoing efforts to revitalize Downtown Wilkes-Barre and to utilize the energies and talents of the region's colleges and universities."
Designed to be more than an office building or a traditional business incubator, the Innovation Center is a "New Economy" facility created within an "Old Economy" shell in the heart of the Downtown. The project was made possible thanks to the Great Valley Technology Alliance, the Great Valley Technology Institute, NEPA colleges and universities, the U.S. EDA, Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development, Ben Franklin Technology Partnership, the area's federal and state legislators, Luzerne County, the City of Wilkes-Barre and the Diamond City Partnership.
The 60,000 square foot former Woolworth's facility is one of three centers of its kind built in the region. The Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre joins the Scranton Enterprise Center and the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center. Space on the top two floors of the Wilkes-Barre facility will be leased to new and emerging information technology and related businesses. Complementary uses, including retail, are being explored for the first floor and lower levels. It is estimated that the Center could lead to the creation of 300 new jobs. The Chamber has already begun programmatic planning for the Center with the help of an expert consultant, Thomas W. Mailey of New York. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is the project architect. Construction manager for the project is Sordoni Construction Services. E.D. Pons is the structural engineer for the project, and Martin & Rogers will handle electrical and mechanical engineering. The Center is estimated to cost $6.3 million. Renovation is underway and the facility will be ready for initial tenant fit up by the spring of 2004.
The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry (CBI) is an organization that bridges business and communities, building an environment for growth, pride and success in Greater Wilkes-Barre.
The Great Valley Technology Alliance's mission is the creation of a self-sustaining technology-based economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its aim is to stimulate the creation of the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of such an economy, including venture capital, research centers, technical education, entrepreneurship, recreation and lifestyle amenities and the attraction and retention of human capital. For more information on the Great Valley Technology Alliance, visit www.greatvalleyalliance.com.
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