A Penn State economic outreach program received $100,000 from the state, which it will invest in a Bellefonte medical equipment manufacturer to help the company with manufacturing projects.
Jennifer Battista, media specialist in the Democratic Communications Office, said Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) received the $100,000 earlier this month as part of $694,725 in state funds that will help pay for various recreation, conservation and business projects.
The money will go to Piezo Resonance Innovations Inc. (PRII), of Bellefonte, to continue its manufacture of custom parts for high-tech medical equipment, Battista said. Maureen Mulvihill, president and CEO of PRII, said the funding has helped the company establish a manufacturing project for one of its products. PRII develops custom components for high-tech medical devices used with patients in critical care and in minimally invasive surgery, Mulvihill said.
The company has received
$1.2 million in federal grants for its work and has now received more than $400,000 from BFTP.
Liz Wilson, BFTP director of marketing, stressed that the funding is an investment, not a grant, and PRII is obligated to repay the money. She said BFTP chose to invest in PRII because of the company's potential.
"[PRII] does an excellent job, is an excellent opportunity and has an excellent product line," she said.
Battista said Centre County also received $57,000 from the state that will go to a tree-cover program to help pay for the purchase and planting of trees on public land. The bulk of the money -- nearly $470,000 -- will go to Sproul State Forest, located about an hour north of campus, to improve the Bloody Skillet ATV riding area, Battista said.
"[The grants] provide opportunities for people who live in the county and visit the county to have outdoor and recreational opportunities that really increase the quality of living," she said.
Doug D'Amore, district forester in Clinton County, said the money will be used to plan for the construction of a bridge that is needed to connect ATV trails in the forest.
