The Northcentral Region of Pennsylvania is heavily forested and 1997 sector priorities focused on the furniture and wood finishing industry. Timber harvesting and wood products manufacturing represent a high percentage of the occupational opportunities in the area. This regional office partnered with The Pennsylvania Hardwoods Council and the Electrotechnologies Application Center to bring new technologies and low volatile organic compound coating initiatives to the industry. DEP introduced infrared and ultra-violet curing technologies through a series of seminars and site visits. Water-based and powdered coating technologies were evaluated with a keen eye toward finished product appearance.

Site visits were conducted for various sectors including wood product manufacturers, and technical assistance partners from the Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Network were involved. The visits were designed to introduce business and industry to local network members and their services. The end result was the incorporation of more effective kiln drying processes with participating facilities no longer needing large boilers, saving money and reducing air emissions.

Markets for waste wood and wood fibers from these companies were expanded, and DEP's biosolids program promoted the use of sawdust, wood chips and bark for use as soil amendments and composting materials. The regional DEP office developed a database of regional wood product manufacturers. Their waste products were then made available to end-users, making the waste of one company the benefit of another — the ultimate in recycling!

Twenty-four different industries were visited in 1997 to help their regional partners maintain a competitive edge from the use of new environmental and energy technology. The team members assessed their processes and identified areas of improvement to stop pollution before it was created, bringing about more effective methods of energy use and introducing delivery systems. Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Network members, the Ben Franklin Partnership, Industrial Modernization Center and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program were involved.

The regional office also initiated the inter-program "compliance assistance meeting." Business and industry had the chance to meet DEP regional decision-makers and openly voice their problems and opinions. The forum was so well accepted, it is now regularly scheduled and well attended by the region's business community.