At the first meeting of the FBPA on February 16th, President Diane Richardson kicked off the program with introductions of participants around the table.
Mary Livingston, President of SCORE, made a presentation of the mentoring services and workshops available from their program. Discussion turned into suggestions for what workshops would be of interest to members and future offerings will be announced as they become available. Suggested workshops were succession planning, working with the government and finances.
Diana Lu presented on behalf of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses which offers a highly regarded small business boot camp. Qualified participants, once accepted, are on scholarship but are required to spend a great deal of time dedicated to the program. Minimum requirements for the business is that it have revenue of at least $150,000 annually and have at least 4 employees.
News at the meeting from Kim Washington of the Frankford CDC and State Representative Jason Dawkins:
With a recent market study in hand, the CDC will work with SEPTA to see what opportunities lie in the area of the Frankford and Arrott Transportation centers for new businesses. SEPTA will be issuing an RFP for developers to build some new stores along the Avenue in Front of the new building that is rising on the lot between Griscom and Frankford Avenue. There will also be a location on the lot across the street between Griscom and Penn. The recent fire has essentially destroyed 12 businesses in the area of the Arrott Transportation center. That has created vacancies which will need to be filled in the newly rebuilt structures.
Representive Dawkins has talked with Governor Wolf about the fire and has been assured that every effort will be made to connect Frankford with whatever funding sources are available. Dawkins did point out that it will take some time to sort out who pays for what in the demo and clearing of the land. The land bank might have to become involved.
There will be a SEPTA picture event for seniors at the Peter Bressi Senior Center (4744 Frankford Avenue) on March 8th. This will allow seniors to get their SEPTA photo ID in Frankford rather than having to go down to SEPTA headquarters on Market Street. The new ID will be required for use on the new SEPTA key system later this year.
A free breast cancer screening will be available at Dawkins office (4915 Frankford Ave.) on March 10th.
The next FBPA meeting will be in April at a date and time to be announced.
