HERMITAGE, Pa. – Economic development doesn’t stop at attracting new companies. Jake Rickert, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation’s associate executive director, says helping local businesses grow is just as important. Today, the organization works with approximately 170 member businesses while helping companies secure financing, workforce assistance and state funding for expansion projects. Rather than focusing only on recruiting large employers, Rickert says Penn-Northwest also measures success by helping local companies grow one project at a time. Through its revolving loan fund and partnerships with workforce organizations, the nonprofit supports business expansion, equipment purchases, hiring initiatives and site development throughout Mercer County.