A study released 10 months ago on development strategies for northwestern Pennsylvania is still proving to be a hot topic on the speaker circuit.

The latest example was Tuesday night at Mercer County Regional Planning Commission's annual dinner in Hermitage. Two speakers gave their views on what's become known as the Bosworth study. Named after its author Brian Bosworth, the probe offers recommendations on how eight northwestern Pennsylvania counties can create a better climate for businesses.

"He (Bosworth) gave some really bold recommendations of what to do but didn't always show us a clear pathway,'' said Debra Thompson, president of Strategy Solutions Inc., an Erie marketing consulting company.

Ms. Thompson outlined the report which, among other things, was critical of the large number of development agencies in the eight-county region.

She noted that chief executive officers of companies in the region complained of the myriad of development organizations. Ms. Thompson told the audience of about 100 that Bosworth asked for consolidation because the region has few development resources that are spread out among a diverse group of agencies. There are 45 agencies in the region which spend $16 million on development.

"That may sound like a lot of money, but regions of the country are spending hundreds of millions of dollars,'' she said.

The northwestern region has lagged most of the nation and state on per-capita income growth for 20 years. She cautioned that can't be changed overnight.

She complimented Mercer County on its development leaders and the cooperation among local agencies.

"You in Mercer County have one of the best development systems in northwestern Pennsylvania,'' Ms. Thompson said.

Under heavy pressure, the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission agreed to pay $96,000 for the Bosworth study.

Shortly after the study was unveiled, the commission's executive director resigned over criticism the organization faltered on providing a cohesive development plan.

During that period, outgoing Venango County Commissioner Bob Murray chaired the Northwest Commission.

Murray told Tuesday night's audience that attitudes must change. When he came into office, he said, Venango County spent nearly $300,000 annually on a single park, compared with $45,000 on economic development. Next year that park will become self-sufficient and the county will pay $300,000 for economic development.

"It's a matter of priorities,'' he said.

He criticized The Herald for publishing a daily Jobs Watch count in which the newspaper kept track of the number of days that passed without significant action on the county level to improve economic conditions. He called the count "unjustified and unwarranted.''

The Herald stopped publishing the count last month after Penn-Northwest Development Corp. detailed plans on its Strategy 1000 plan to develop 1,000 acres for business development.