Ben Franklin Technology Partners to invest $250,000 in regional economy

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors has approved the investment of $250,000 in support of regional economic development. Four companies in the company’s 21-county service area received funding. mXtr Automation of Williamsport, Lycoming County received $100,000 to enhance software, scale, and increase sales for this producer of marketing automation software tools. These tools allow marketing departments to automate emails, social media/website postings, and other functions to increase sales leads, conversions, and retention. Sivana Converting LLC, of Mountain Top, Luzerne County received $100,000. The funds will support efforts to prepare a manufacturing facility to produce hemp-based biodegradable plates, cups, to-go food containers, cutlery, and straws.

Ben Franklin provides 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on

Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, LTD, of Hamburg, Berks County received $25,000 to support continuous process improvement, increase processing capacity, and enhance efficiency to support the growth of this duck production operation that supplies restaurants, food services, and institutions in the US. The firm is vertically integrated from breeding to delivery and employs environmentally friendly, sustainable farming practices.

Structural Services Inc., of Bethlehem, Northampton County received $25,000 to document and analyze the existing cost/data collection process, identify and develop more efficient options, and conduct data and financial impact analyses on new processes.

Structural Services is a highway construction subcontractor that supplies value-added services for bridge construction and rehabilitation, specializing in jobs that require curved girders, innovative rigging, and heavy jacking.