The 79-80 Interstate Development Corporation (79-80 IDC) is a group of member companies and individuals that are organized for the promotion and development of the Eastern Mercer County Area and partnership areas, including the Grove City School District, Mercer, Barkeyville and Slippery Rock. The 79-80 IDC is engaged in several activities. We have ties to Penn Northwest Development Corporation which acts as the lead for economic development in Mercer County. We also coordinate the development activities of our region with the county to provide the best opportunities. Additionally, we act in concert with local governments and schools to act as a conduit between our members and these taxing agencies. The board members are active; some are elected officials, which enhances the communication between public and private entities. We also have close ties to Chambers of Commerce in the area and act as a liaison between the business community, development agencies and government officials. Through the years the 79-80 IDC has been active in several initiatives that have been a benefit to the area, including: Forta Fiber, GE, Grove City Premium Outlets, and Reynolds Food Packaging (formerly Ivex). This group has often been the lead organization in these projects, coordinating the activities of both public and private entities, to achieve positive results. The role of the 79-80 IDC is to have a long term perspective of the development needs of the area. This often means the activities of the group are often not seen, but are vital to the success of many of the projects that have brought vitality to the area. Many of the initiatives lay the ground work that must be in place in order to attract the type of development and growth that will be most beneficial to the area. Very often the group is involved with infrastructure needs, site development and activities with local and state groups to obtain the consensus and funding that are always required to achieve success.