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'Sharon at Sunrise' Shines on Businesses, Community
SHARON, Pa. – Noise Solutions Inc. is already looking at employment and investment beyond what it initially planned for its new plant here, says its vice president of operations.
Originally projecting about 150 jobs for the plant, located in 55,000 square feet of space at the former Westinghouse property it purchased from the Winner Companies, Noise Solutions is looking at 200 jobs over the next three years, said Taymour Ebrehim. The plant, which began production last month, so far has 28 employees.
Ebrehim was among the featured speakers at Tuesday's 'Sharon at Sunrise' breakfast hosted by the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. He told the audience of chamber members and guests that his company is planning a $10 million investment in the plant, more than the $7 million originally projected.
Noise Solutions manufactures noise suppression equipment used by oil and gas companies among other customers. “We are the harmony between community and industry,” Ebrehim said.
The company considered locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, he said, and he credited Penn Northwest Development Corp. for its assistance. “You need to find the right people to point you to the right resources," he said..
Ebrehim told how one worker, previously unemployed, became emotional when he was hired by Noise Solutions, and how the company is providing opportunities for people who left the area to return. Additionally, he said the company relies heavily on local suppliers.
Sharon at Sunrise takes place quarterly to spotlight businesses and communities throughout the Shenango Valley, said Bob McCracken, the chamber’s executive director.
The event featured another company housed in the former Westinghouse warehouse space, Eyes of Faith Optical.
“We tastefully communicate faith,” said Jim Schneider, co-founder and president of Eyes of Faith. “We want to be on your face but not in your face with it.” Eyes of Faith designs and distributes four lines of eyewear, including its Eyes of Faith line and licensed brands VeggieTales for children, the edgier Not of This World and the recently launched Women of Faith, to independent opticians across the country.
The company’s “main purpose” is the Wear & Share program, through which a portion of sales are donated to a mission effort to provide eyewear around the world to people who “never have had the opportunity to have clear sight,” he said.
When Schneider and his wife, Amy, started the company, they contracted with a Boston logistics company that handled everything but product design and sales, a decision they realized a year and a half into the business wasn’t the correct one. They subsequently met with Karen and Donna Winner of the Winner Companies, who showed them some of their available warehouse space which, they subsequently renovated for Eyes of Faith. “They were just amazing,” he remarked. “Now we’re in the warehouse district of Sharon.”
Consolidating operations here 20 months ago has benefitted the company, Schneider said. “We have a team that can solve problems together” and customer service is “outstanding,” he reported. He projected 2013 will be the company’s most profitable and best growth year. While he acknowledged he has made a lot of mistakes since starting the company, basing the company in Sharon wasn't one of them, he said.
Another organization spotlighted Tuesday was The Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation, which supports Primary Health Network’s efforts by helping individuals who are less fortunate or who have fallen on hard times, said Sara Liska, community relations specialist. The programs are funded by community events such as the Snowball Crawl and contributions from donors.
Among the foundation’s initiatives is the Provide the Ride program, which provides free medical transportation to hospitals. “Our transportation department tries its hardest never to turn anyone away,” she said. “Transportation is a major barrier for those patients to receive that preventative care they so desperately need.” As of the end of this year, she projected, the program will have provided 12,000 rides for patients in need.
Other initiatives include a scholarship program, which has given away $100,000 to students entering the health care field, including $20,000 last year, Liska said. The foundation also recently launched a new prescription assistance program.
The audience also heard from Brian Kepple of the Sharon Beautification Committee, who said one of the projects he is most proud of is the work the committee is doing at Bicentennial Park. “It unfortunately decayed,” he remarked. Much of the trees and overgrowth have now been cleared, providing a better view of the Shenango River, and 12 new lights and cedar benches have been installed, he reported.
“It’s a nice walking park. It’s a nice place to sit and enjoy the sights of the river,” he said.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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