Daniel Harger Honored for Over Six Decades of Economic Development and Community Service in Clinton County
From Staff Reports
LOCK HAVEN – Clinton County Economic Partnership “mover and shaker” Daniel Harger was honored Wednesday afternoon for over six decades (and counting) worth of service and dedication to local economic development, tourism, and the citizens of Clinton County.
“Thanks to all the staff involved here, and thanks to the people and businesses of the county who support the partnership, which is a key item in the community,” Harger said. “If you continue to work with us, we will work with you, that is our goal.”
Partnership CEO Mike Flanagan started the official building naming ceremony with remarks, “honoring the man who has given much time and effort over the last several decades to the partnership and the county, and we are doing that today with the naming of this building.”
Stephanie Borowicz was present Wednesday afternoon to honor Harger.
“I cannot think of anybody more deserving than Dan,” Borowicz said. “What he does for the county, the community, he has a love for it, and it shines, and thank you for everything you have done for us here.”
A native of Renovo, Harger has worked tirelessly for over 60 years in local economic development.
“It all started a long time ago in Renovo with my mom and dad,” Harger said. “They taught me that if you give back, you get back…I saw my mom volunteering with the Flaming Foliage and the queen’s, she was terrific, and with the Legion Auxiliary, and my dad he always gave back too.”
Dan touched on the many items throughout the past six decades that he has helped with in the Clinton County economic scene.
“We started hang gliding here at Hyner, that was good and a big thing for the economy up there,” he said, “and we worked with transportation, and with Doyle Corman who was able to help secure four cents of every dollar brought into the state to go toward forestry roads and bridges which doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think of the state as a whole, it really adds up.”
Harger was also instrumental in local construction and roadways throughout the state and locally in the county.
“We worked hard to get I-99 going through the state and had some pushback from the union at the Turnpike Commission, but we got it through,” he mentioned.
He also recalled working with a young Mr. Kambiz Damaghi of First Quality helping to get his business idea off the ground.
“I was down there with him digging and picking in the ditches and look where he is today,” Harger recalled. “He was attempting to go into business in the county and did not have a lot of money at the time, but we showed our faith in him and it paid off.
For Dan, his “true love” was always tourism.
“It started off with hang gliding, now we are into the elk, ATV’s…it’s all a good success story and we have lots to do; we aren’t done here yet,” he said.
Lastly, he mentioned and thanked Lydia Story of Renovo for being a good friend and selling the property that would have become the Renovo Energy Center.
Daniel was accompanied by his daughter, Sherry, and one of his son’s, David.
Event sponsors were First Quality, Terrapin Care Station, Jim and Sheila Russo, Glen O. Hawbaker, Central Contracting, M&R Contracting, Louie and Cathy Anastos, Bill and Tina Garbrick, Jim and Carol Hanna, Harger Utility Contractors, Eads Group, and a special thanks to Alan Zondlo and Matt Frank from First Quality, Brownie Signs, and Sunset Landscaping and Lawn Care.
