Momentum Magazine October 2018 Edition | Page 7

Members of Wolf Administration Visit TekRidge Center, Highlights New PAsmart Initiative Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak and Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani recently joined Senator John Blake during a visit to The TekRidge Center, highlighting Governor Tom Wolf’s PAsmart investments in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and skills training to help job seekers obtain good, middle- class jobs in 21st century careers. PAsmart, a fi rst-of-its-kind $30 million investment, is a new way of thinking about job training and workforce development by providing targeted funding for STEM education, computer science, career and technical training, and more, so students and workers get the training and skills needed for in- demand, middle-class jobs. In November 2016, Bedrock outgrew its 850-square-foot incubator space and became the building’s fi rst anchor tenant. SnapSlide, one of the incubator’s newer tenants, has patented a better- pill bottle with a new bottle cap design. The simple push and slide mechanism allows for easier opening for those who struggle with conventional pill bottles, while still fulfi lling the child safety feature mandate from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Raising awareness of opportunities available to Lackawanna County businesses and residents alike, is a priority as we continue to dovetail our economic and workforce development initiatives, said Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber’s affi liates, Skills in Scranton and The Scranton Plan look forward to partnering with the Commonwealth to expand STEM related activities in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” “Raising awareness of opportunities available to Lackawanna County businesses and residents alike, is a priority...” Wolf administration offi cials toured The TekRidge Center’s tenants, including Bedrock Technology and SnapSlide. Bedrock Technology provides information technology and computer system troubleshooting services to small-and medium-sized businesses. Bedrock Technology was just four years old when The TekRidge Center opened in 2013 and became the center’s fi rst incubator tenant. www.scrantonchamber.com • 7