Alliance Area Development Foundation

The Alliance Area Development Foundation (AADF)
is working hard to bring business and recognition
to the Alliance community. Formed in 1999,
the AADF's purpose is to positively impact retention of
companies, to assist companies in their expansion and
to attract new companies to the Alliance area. The AADF
is a 501(C)3, non-profit organization and is supported by
private donations from area businesses and individuals.
The foundation has a staff of two full-time employees: President
Thomas A. Pukys has been with the organization since
March 2004 and E.D. Coordinator/Office Manager Pamela
Richardson has been with the AADF since August 2000. The
AADF has a 30-member Board of Directors and approximately
100 contributors. The organization's service area includes Alliance,
Louisville, Sebring and the surrounding townships.
The AADF has collaborated with the City of Alliance, Stark
Development Board and the Alliance Chamber of Commerce
on multiple projects. Several new businesses have relocated
in Alliance and several expansion projects have taken place
over the past few years. With the help of area businesses
and volunteers, a successful Synchronist survey campaign
to gather valuable information on how to better the Alliance
community was implemented. A work force development
initiative program, T.R.A.I.N. Alliance, was established as a
result of the information gathered from these surveys.
In the fall of 2007, the AADF received a grant from the
USDA Rural Development to fund its own Revolving Loan
fund. This was wonderful news to area businesses. The
AADF will be able to financially assist small existing businesses
as well as start-up businesses with low-interest loans.
The Alliance area can boast of a thriving economy with a balance of industrial, commercial, and retail business, with
the tools in place to work with existing companies as they
grow and expand. The organization has "shovel ready" sites
available as well as buildings and the infrastructure needed
to attract new companies to the Alliance area. With the construction
of the new $80 million Alliance Community Hospital,
the area will continue to have first-class health care.
The community can also boast of having eight colleges
and universities within a 30-mile radius. The presence of
higher education has led to a better skilled and educated
workforce. Having Mount Union College, one of the most
prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country, and Stark
State College of Technology in the immediate area, positions
the Alliance area as an educational leader.
The AADF's role is to assist companies through the
procedure of incentives, abatements, low-interest loans,
workforce development, or whatever is needed to help the
business through the process of growing and expanding.
The foundation is here to serve anyone in the community
who may need assistance in starting a new business or
expanding an existing business.