College Joins Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania College of Technology has joined the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania, a nonprofit, 100-percent member-funded association dedicated to the growth and success of the technology community within a 22-county region of Central Pennsylvania.

The Harrisburg-based TCCP has member companies from a wide range of industries including technology (computer hardware, software, Internet and Web, telecommunications, technology consulting, bio-tech and electronics) through support services (legal, accounting, finance, insurance, real estate, construction, staffing and business consulting). The TCCP's membership also includes high schools, colleges and other academic institutions; economic and business-development associations; agencies and departments from all levels of government; and numerous other nonprofit organizations.

"Becoming a member of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania presents a wonderful opportunity for the College to expand its ties with the ever-flourishing technology community," said Penn College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour. "The bonds we will forge with business and industry and the knowledge we will gain from our association with other leaders in the field will help reaffirm our status as Pennsylvania's premier technical college."

"The Technology Council of Central PA is delighted to welcome Pennsylvania College of Technology as one of our newest Members," said Bill Routson, vice president of membership for the TCCP. "We are very fortunate to have so many high-caliber, outstanding educational institutions here in Central Pennsylvania. Schools like Penn College are at the forefront of producing the skilled technical workforce that is currently in such high demand by the regional technology community, as well as by the rest of the country and much of the world. We encourage all institutions of higher learning, and school districts, to join forces with the Tech Council to help build a robust and successful technology community here in Central Pennsylvania."

Currently, the TCCP has a staff of five full-time employees and a small army of more than 100 committee volunteers from member companies and organizations. The committee volunteers are actively involved in numerous technology-related issues such as education and training, workforce development, government affairs, communications and public relations, programs and events, economic development, and technology-company attraction/retention.

The Council − by itself or through its board members and partner organizations − is involved in numerous regional initiatives and projects, including:

• Helping to establish various information-technology and bio-technology parks or campuses in the region
• Supporting several workforce development efforts with area colleges and other educational institutions
• Forming several angel investment groups and networks
• Bringing venture capital firms to the region
• Supporting several efforts with area economic development entities and chambers of commerce
• Assisting the growth of various technology-related publications in the region
• Supporting federal and state governments on various regional initiatives
• Supporting the state in promoting and marketing the technology community in Central Pennsylvania

The Council works to cross-promote business opportunities and the exchange of services among its members. TCCP staff members routinely provide personal support and assistance to members on a wide range of topics.

The TCCP sponsors over 30 events, seminars, receptions, job fairs and business-networking meetings per year, with plans for more. Central Pennsylvania's premier technology event is the Council's Annual Technology Awards Gala, which had an attendance exceeding 550 last year. The Council maintains a Web site and publishes a monthly newsletter for communicating with members and the general public.

For more information about the TCCP, call (717) 238-5333; access the Web site; send e-mail or write Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania, 3211 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.