Part of Ben Franklin’s mission is to promote an innovative community wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies. Centers of Excellence inspire and nourish ideas that have commercial potential.

In support of the region’s technology infrastructure, BFTP/NEP has invested in several such centers, including:

Center for Optical Technologies

Lehigh University, Bethlehem
The Center for Optical Technologies serves the optoelectronics and photonics cluster of early stage and large anchor companies that represent a key industry segment in the Lehigh Valley. The Center includes nine member organizations, among them three Ben Franklin client companies T-Networks, Infinera and GlucoLight.

Electrotechnology Applications Center

Northampton Community College, Bethlehem
The Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC) helps companies evaluate and implement infrared, ultraviolet, microwave and e-beam technologies for heating, curing and coating applications. Companies use ETAC to explore current equipment, materials, and processes as well as conducting production test runs before committing to purchasing expensive process equipment. This center was initially developed by NCC, PPL and BFTP/NEP and is now self-sufficient.

Enterprise Systems Center

Lehigh University, Bethlehem
The Enterprise Systems Center is committed to enriching students’ education while working to make its clients in industry more efficient and increasingly competitive. The ESC’s hands-on experience in analyzing and improving manufacturing systems performance enables companies to boost overall productivity. The ESC employs students, professors, and professional engineers to work in teams capable of tackling a variety of real world industry situations, including operational improvements, product development and enhancement, enterprise resource integration and more.

Lehigh Nanotech Network

Lehigh University, Bethlehem
The Lehigh Nanotech Network maintains a strong, connected nanotechnology cluster in an opportunity-rich networking environment to advance nanotechnology business, partnerships, and workforce development; connect academic research with business drivers for commercialization; promote visibility and alignment of the network with government initiatives and policies; and facilitate inclusion of socioeconomics, arts, and education in nanotechnology pursuits.

Medical Devices Consortium

Reading
The Medical Devices Consortium is a nine-member group of companies in the Reading area. Ben Franklin formed this group and has been facilitating member meetings for the past three years. We have introduced member companies to, and developed applied research and development projects, with technology resources at Lehigh University, the Plastics Manufacturing Center and ETAC.

National Training Center for Microelectronics

Northampton Community College, Bethlehem
The National Training Center for Microelectronics focuses on improving the quality of the Pennsylvania workforce, helping manufacturers and their employees meet the challenges of modern manufacturing with practical hands-on training courses and innovative custom in-plant educational programs.

Plastics Manufacturing Center

Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport
The Plastics Manufacturing Center addresses applied research and development needs for the growing plastics sector with some of the most sophisticated technology in the world. The center has assisted more than 1,200 companies throughout Pennsylvania, including more than 50 Ben Franklin clients. Initially started by the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Ben Franklin, the PMC became self-sufficient in six years and remains so today. BFTP of Central/Northern Pennsylvania also invests in this center.