SEWN EXPANSION TO NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA

The SVA’s Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN) program has increased the number of clients that we are helping, and through the solid support of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), we’re ramping up to assist businesses and economic stakeholders in Northeast Pennsylvania, for an expansion of SEWN services to 13 counties.  Our staff and consultants will eventually be covering 62 counties total.

The Department has also raised the possibility of utilizing other rapid response funds so that the SVA could assist the Commonwealth in maximizing layoff aversion funds for the broadest delivery system possible.

Meanwhile, the SVA continued our good work on regional, statewide and national initiatives to combat the recession.

According to our recently completed independent evaluation, SEWN professional staff and consultants monitored sources and responded to referral agents to assist small manufacturing companies in distress.  SEWN staff and consultants provided layoff aversion services to 48 newly identified companies employing 1,668 people in 27 counties in PA, potentially averting 983 potential job losses.  Seventy-eight companies in all received consulting services.

Below is a chart depicting the number of companies assisted by SEWN for the program year 2008-2009.