Calling the project the "next step in the battle to treat and prevent cancer," Fox Chase Cancer Center leaders presented a 20-year, $1 billion expansion plan to the Fairmount Park Commission that calls for the building of a new hospital, a new outpatient treatment center and critically-needed new research facilities.

The expansion proposal, which will bring 4,000 permanent new jobs to Philadelphia, seeks Commission approval for the utilization of 25 acres in Burholme Park, almost 80 percent of which already is being used for commercial purposes.

"Cancer is primarily a disease of the aging, and as our population grows older, demand for treatment will continue to rise dramatically," explained Robert C. Young, M.D., president of Fox Chase. "The demand for cancer care will explode in the next decade, and this development plan is the next step in the battle to treat and prevent cancer. Fox Chase is already operating at overcapacity and we need to grow. Our goal is to grow on our current campus right here in Philadelphia."

Fox Chase was founded 100 years ago with the opening of the nation's first cancer hospital in West Philadelphia. It moved to its current location in 1968. The 100-bed hospital remains one of the few facilities in the country devoted entirely to cancer care. Today, Fox Chase sees more than 6,500 new patients a year-a number that is expected to double by 2015.

The plan to expand at its current location followed a two-year visioning process that examined how to accommodate the growing need for patient care with cutting-edge treatments while also continuing to conduct the best scientific research in an environment of rapidly advancing technologies.

"We considered expanding by acquiring property in various parts of the region, but splintering our patient care operations and research is not consistent with what a 'comprehensive cancer center' is," stated Dr. Young. "The interaction between scientists and physicians is key to the rapid translation of laboratory discoveries for patient care."

The Fox Chase growth plan seeks the use of 20 acres in Burholme Park, currently being leased for commercial purposes, plus an additional five acres. Fox Chase proposes moving the commercial tract of land closer to its campus after the lease with the current tenant expires. Fox Chase would redevelop the former commercial footprint for recreational park uses, and the Center also would fund the purchase of an additional 25 acres of land at a site to be chosen by the Commission, so that there is no net loss of Park land.

The Fox Chase expansion plan does not involve the ballparks, sledding hill or Ryers Museum.
"In fact, our proposal includes a plan to help the Fairmount Park Commission with the upkeep of the ball-parks, recreational areas and the museum," said Dr. Young. "We want this proposal to be a win-win-win for the community, Fox Chase, and the Fairmount Park Commission and City.
Philadelphia City Commerce Director Stephanie Naidoff indicated that the Street Administration supports the plan. "It is very important to Philadelphia and the residents not only of the city but also the region that we help Fox Chase grow at its current campus, so that it can continue to be a world leader in the fight against cancer," Naidoff said. "Of course, we must still come to agreement on the terms of this transaction, and we look forward to working with all of the parties to get there."

Fox Chase has more than 2,300 employees, a third of which live in the immediate area. The proposed expansion plan will double the size of the Center and add more than 4,000 new jobs.
"We estimate that over the next five to seven years, the city will see an additional $40 million in wage taxes," said Dr. Young.
Fox Chase receives more than $53 million a year in federal funding and grants. The awarding of the 2004 Nobel Prize in chemistry last week to a long-time Fox Chase researcher, Irwin Rose, underscores the high-quality research conducted at the institution. This is the second Nobel Prize received by Fox Chase scientists.

The presentation to the Park Commission is the first step in a process that also involves the City of Philadelphia and the communities surrounding Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Source: Fox Chase Cancer Center

On behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell, Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky today announced the certification of five new Keystone Innovation Zones that will accelerate economic growth and promote collaboration among colleges, universities, local economic developers, local government and businesses in their regions.

"Through innovative new programs like Keystone Innovation Zones, we are demonstrating our commitment to retain our students and to create an environment where companies with growth potential can start and stay in Pennsylvania," said Secretary Yablonsky. "This revolutionary program is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to benefit from one of our most valuable resources - our world class college and university system."

The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority approved operational funds for the Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, Greater Oakland, Harrisburg Market and University City (Philadelphia) KIZs. The KIZ program offers graduates an incentive to stay in Pennsylvania by creating an environment where opportunities are abundant, help is accessible and innovation is encouraged and rewarded.

The Commonwealth's economic success depends on important economic drivers such as the KIZs. A prime source of that economic funding comes from the more than 200 institutions of higher learning, located in communities throughout Pennsylvania. As a crucial part of Governor Rendell's economic stimulus program, the KIZs will encourage the creation of new business, expand the research and development sector of Pennsylvania's economy and facilitate technology transfer to existing companies.
 
The BFTDA is a state-funded network dedicated to fostering technology innovation, strengthening the Commonwealth's economy and creating and retaining high-salary jobs that require advanced skill levels. The BFTDA provides funding for technology partners and support for its partners throughout Pennsylvania that identify the most promising technological ventures and provides them with technical assistance and capital.

The BFTDA supplies administrative funding for the Zones, allowing the KIZ institutions of higher education and companies to be eligible for priority review of various DCED grant, loan programs and business tax credits.

Descriptions of the five new KIZs:

Project: Luzerne County and Lackawanna County Keystone Innovation Zones
KIZ Coordinator: Greater Valley Technology Institute
Amount Awarded: $250,000 will be awarded to each KIZ

Project Details:
The Luzerne and Lackawanna County KIZs will be a unique partnership of two separate, but closely aligned KIZs. This partnership will include 12 universities and colleges in the region including: College Misericordia; King's College; the University of Scranton; Marywood University; Johnson College; Keystone College; Luzerne County Community College; Penn State University (Hazelton, Wilkes-Barre, Worthington/Scranton); and Wilkes University. The Zone will focus on the strengths of each school. Each of these institutions brings relevant expertise to the initiative. The life sciences at these institutions employ more than 260 scientists.

Both the Luzerne and Lackawanna County KIZs will target technology-driven business growth including the health-care/life sciences, nanotechnology/advanced manufacturing and plastics, information technology/new media and back office/finance areas. A number of these areas will feed into the area of Homeland Security.

Project: Greater Oakland Keystone Innovation Zone
KIZ Coordinator: Mellon Pitt Carnegie Corp.
Amount Awarded: $250,000

Project Details:
The Greater Oakland KIZ will support the Pittsburgh region and its universities' efforts to enhance the volume and success of new technology based growth in southwestern Pennsylvania's economy. The partnership will include two universities: the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

The partners of the Greater Oakland KIZ foresee leveraging the opportunities provided by the KIZ program to create a collaborative, technology-based economic development partnership that will focus on important zone program elements and provide a platform for a broader regional technology agenda. The Greater Oakland KIZ will target the information technology, life sciences, specialty chemicals and horizon technologies industries.

Project: Harrisburg Market Keystone Innovation Zone
KIZ Coordinator: Capital Region Economic Development Corp.
Amount Awarded: $250,000

Project Details:
The Harrisburg Market KIZ will focus on four key areas for growth: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Harrisburg (Middletown campus), Harrisburg City Market Street Corridor and selected sites in the city of Carlisle.

The industry clusters focused on by the Harrisburg Market KIZ will target advanced manufacturing, life-sciences and business-technology solutions. The advanced manufacturing cluster will have a particular focus on the electrical components, fabricated metals, industrial machinery and advanced small manufacturing. The life sciences cluster will be supported by research and development under way at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The Life Sciences Greenhouse located in the capital region will provide critical mentoring, investment and other support.

This KIZ will include the following educational institutions: Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Harrisburg, Messiah College, Central Pennsylvania College, Harrisburg University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Dickinson College and Shippensburg University.

Project: University City Keystone Innovation Zone
KIZ Coordinator: University City Science Center
Amount Awarded: $250,000

Project Details:
The University City KIZ will further unlock the potential for job creation in the Philadelphia area. The zone's activities will focus on life sciences, technology, innovation and workforce development. The life-sciences focus has been integrated across a span of industries, such as information technology and nanotechnology, and is designed to enhance the commercialization of the technology output of the partnership. This will in turn, provide a focus for the continued growth of a new, mid-Atlantic, high technology-based venture community.

The zone will include the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. The University City KIZ will target many life-sciences innovation industries including, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, information technology, nanotechnology, nanomedicine and bioinformatics.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania has announced its winter investment capital briefing schedule. The briefings will cover investment ranges, qualifications, proposal preparation, project match requirements, budget considerations, evaluation processes, and repayment schedules. They are as follows:

Tuesday, December 7
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Temple University-Fort Washington Campus
Graduate and Professional Center
Room 107
401 Commerce Drive
Ft Washington, PA 19034

Friday, December 10
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA
1835 Market Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tuesday, December 14
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Penn State - Great Valley
30 East Swedesford Road
Main Building, Room 101
Malvern, PA 19355

Tuesday, December 21
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern, PA
1835 Market Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Online registration is available here.

To register by phone, please contact Gloria Sanchious at (215) 972-6700 x3330.