Category Archives: Economic Development
Posted in Alternative Energy | Communities | Current Events | Economic Development | Energy Conservation | Innovative Solutions | Politics by Marty Muggleton (VP Client Development & Marketing) on August 17, 2012
Barcelona, Spain–”It isn’t a crisis, it’s a scam.”
When he said “just like America”, I began to think.
In the last three years, I have been fortunate to spend time in both Greece and Spain. These are beautiful and stimulating cultures, and are valuable sources for understanding other views of the world. I can’t speak more than a few phrases of each language, but I can learn by talking (in English) with locals. In these countries there are plenty of opportunities, since people tend to be friendly and enthusiastic conversationalists.
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Posted in Alternative Energy | Blogging | Communities | Current Events | Economic Development | Energy Conservation | Initiatives | Innovative Solutions | Marcellus Shale | Natural Gas by Jillian Ibbs (Marketing) on April 17, 2012
Larson Design Group (LDG) is currently designing a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in conjunction with the City of Williamsport. The station will be located at the River Valley Transit (RVT) garage on West Third Street in Williamsport and will be open to the public.
Why Natural Gas?
The price of CNG fluctuates between a half and a third of the price of gasoline. Maintenance costs for natural gas-powered vehicles (NGVs) are equal to or less than those of gas or diesel. Combined with government grants, significant savings can be an expected result of CNG-powered fleets. In fact, RVT has already received a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and a $400,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to help fund both the fueling station and the purchase of four CNG buses. RVT expects an annual savings of over $400,000 once the natural gas station is completed.
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Posted in Communities | Current Events | Economic Development | Marcellus Shale | Natural Gas | Politics | Transportation by Marty Muggleton (VP Client Development & Marketing) on March 22, 2012
Marcellus related media items have made for good discussion as I visited with townships and counties in the region over the last several weeks. It wasn’t so much the quantity that was different but the sources.
I am a graduate of Cornell University, much to my mother’s relief and surprise, and was glad to see a brief overview of the opposing research that exists relative to the environmental impact of fracing and other sources of energy. After offering many comments on this topic in online discussions, I get a headache whenever I hear or read “peer reviewed”. So here is a nice item in The Cornell Daily Sun by Bob Hackett entitled Two Cents: To Frack or Not to Frack. It brings some powerful research folks together for Q&A, so you can consider both sides.
Last month the National Review stopped by TerrAqua Resource Management’s facility in Williamsport for a tour and chat. Author Kevin D. Williamson was on an extended tour of Marcellus operations and wanted some insight on water recycling. Kevin’s article entitled The Truth about Facking offers some good points while pushing a couple of hot buttons. I read the National Review, well actually I read my father-in-law’s National Review. I found his treatment of the industry to be fair and I liked how he described my views. Simple and clear. I have gotten some interesting and useful phone calls and emails from across the nation as a result.
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Posted in Architecture | Building Systems | Client Service | Economic Development | Leadership | Sustainable Design | Urban Development by Robert J. Gehr, AIA, NCARB (Vice President - Brand Architecture) on January 3, 2012
What is Brand Architecture?
This is a question that I get asked on a consistent basis.
At LDG we only provide architectural design services for Retail and Brand clients.
“Brand” referring to an organization that utilizes a proven business model and architectural design strategy in the development and growth of that organization. Banks, restaurants, gas stations, hotels, convenience stores and others fall into this category.
This may seem a limiting position to take, however it is not an uncommon strategy and occurs quite often in other professional fields.
Let’s consider Doctors for example.
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Posted in Economic Development | Education | Leadership | Networking | Professional Development by Keith Kuzio (CEO) on November 15, 2011
I’m authoring today on a return trip from San Francisco. I’m feeling refreshed after taking my daughter on several prospective college visits and from a business retreat with my closest engineering colleagues from the ACEC Senior Executive Institute (SEI) Class IV. It’s been rewarding to spend focused time with Olivia as she sorts through the college selection process. I also greatly appreciate the annual SEI senior leader gathering, with its opportunity for critical assessment of our firms, round table discussions, lively socializing, and the inherent opportunity to share our journeys toward fulfillment of personal and professional purpose.
During the trip, I spent time at Stanford University, at the U Cal San Francisco (UCSF) Parnassus Medical Campus, and in downtown San Francisco. It’s clear that the high tech industry, venture capital start-ups, and healthcare organizations are fueling economic recovery in the region. Growth is being catalyzed by the region’s cultural diversity, excellent institutions of higher learning, and through progressive community stewards that recognize the importance of embracing wide ranging perspectives, intellectually stimulating dialog, and a risk taking, entrepreneurial spirit. All these factors are contributing to the creativity, innovation, and growth that are occurring in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley.
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