b'ParTnErShIPSRIDC Westmoreland Innovation CenterFollowing an emergency relocation of Intervala, LLcsPennsylvania operations to rIDc Westmorelandon an emergency basis in early 2020, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development authorityapproved a low-interest, $2.25 million state loan to regional Industrial Development corporationto help with a $5.6 million renovation that will enable the company to expand its leased space from 136,500 SF to 217,000 SF.The December 2020 loan announcement was quickly followed bynews that Intervala signed a five-year lease for the space. Intervalacurrently has 210 employees at the facility; it intends to add 140 jobsover the next five years.The WCIDC is a marketing partner of RIDC Westmoreland, a 2.8 million SF multi-tenant facility that previously was home to Sony RIDC Westmoreland Innovation Centerand Volkswagen manufacturing operations.Digital Foundry at New Kensington2020 was a milestone year for the development of the Digital Foundry ofNew Kensington. A collaboration between Economic Growth connection of Westmoreland and Penn State new Kensington, the foundrys 15,000 SFof lab and innovation space will serve as a catalyst to revitalize the rust-belttown while providing training and support to manufacturers, students andworkers seeking professional development. In February, the richard King Mellon Foundationannounced it was awarding $5.5 million to cover the cost of construction, equip the facility and fund programming and training. Penn State committed an additional $1 million to establish an endowment for operational support.In early October, Sherry Mcclearywas named the inaugural director of thefoundry. McCleary, a Westmoreland native with an extensive background in manufacturing, helped shape the vision of facility with her input early inthe process. She intends for the foundry to be a valuable resource for the5,500 manufacturing businesses located within a 35-miles of the facility.In late October, a groundbreaking celebration was held for the foundry.The virtual groundbreaking featured drone-Because of the pandemic, the event was held virtually, but the onlineshot video of 3D renderings of how the Digitalformat enabled organizers to provide a virtual tour by using 3D modeling Foundry will look overlaid upon the existingand augmented reality. The Digital Foundry is slated to open in early 2022. background of downtown New Kensington.The CornerThe pandemic had an immediate impact on The Corner, Penn State newKensingtonsinnovation hub and coworking space. Due to COVID-19, TheCorner was forced to restrict normal operations and close the coworking arm of the facility to nonmembers. As for The Corners members, although several coworkers relinquished space in light of COVID concerns or business hardship, many others remained and observed social-distancing protocols.In March, the Corner suspended all in-person events, programming and business-consultation services. But by Aprilas befitting an entrepreneurialhubit had successfully pivoted to remotely provide a wide arrayof programming, professional coaching, events and tours of the facility via virtual platforms. From July 2020 through May 2021, The Corner engagedmore than 900 people through virtual events, supported 17 teams comprisedof 29 individuals through its Opportunity Acceleratorand Idea Test Labseries,and coached 10 other potential new business owners and entrepreneurs.Located in downtown New Kensington, The Corner is now fully reopenedThe Corner members who continued to use theto the public and welcoming new members and drop-in guests. For details,coworking space during the pandemic madecontact Alyssa Pistininzi at amp7089@psu.edu or 724-472-1180. sure to observe social-distancing protocols.11'