Leading the Way: Meet Ben Green, Chamber and Leadership Director at the Clinton County Economic Partnership
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— Nestled in downtown Lock Haven, the Clinton County Economic Partnership (CCEP) is steering the region toward a promising future filled with opportunity and community spirit. In September 2024, the CCEP announced its new Chamber and Leadership Director, Ben Green. In his diverse role, Green leads the Chamber of Commerce, manages the Leadership Clinton County program, and oversees the Enterprise Zone program.
Green has an extensive background in community-focused roles. His journey to the CCEP was paved by his previous tenure as Executive Director of the Clinton County United Way, as well as his earlier experience in advertising and marketing for the Lock Haven Express. His passion for community development is apparent in both his past and present work. “I’ve been drawn to this type of work because I’m a social creature and greatly desire to see our community thrive. My United Way work experience shared many similarities with my current role, so it seemed a natural transition,” he shared.
Green wears many hats in his position as he oversees the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Zone, and, notably, the Leadership Clinton County program—a nine-month intensive leadership training he feels particularly passionate about and has completed himself. “As someone who went through the Leadership Clinton County program, it’s a very rewarding part of the gig,” he said. “I was a 2021 graduate of the Leadership Clinton County program, after which I served on the advisory board. I found the program so rewarding that I was very excited to be able to stay involved and continue its positive legacy in our community.”
Leadership Clinton County is a program designed to strengthen the community by cultivating strong leaders. Open to adults in the county, the program helps new and emerging leaders improve their skills and confidence, boosting both quality of life and economic growth in Clinton County. Participants learn about the area’s history and current challenges, discovering how they can use their skills and talents to make a positive impact and shape a better future. The program also encourages participants to network with other local leaders to learn and further enhance their leadership skills.
When discussing the most rewarding aspects of his role, Green expressed enthusiasm about the Leadership Clinton County program in particular: “Seeing the class engaging with presenters is just as invigorating and rewarding as when I went through the course.” Green draws inspiration from listening to presenters who actively work to address local issues and drive progress. “The Leadership program and our residents are so lucky to have the people we do in our community,” he added.
Green intends to keep the Leadership program largely unchanged for now, acknowledging its 25-year history and the contributions of its previous coordinator, April Bittner, who he says “really made the program what it is today.” He emphasized that the program has already captured excellent presenters, tours, and lessons because of Bittner’s efforts. In the future, Green plans to gradually and thoughtfully introduce enhancements to the program by bringing in new presenters with fresh perspectives, integrating technology to make the program more efficient, adding new tours for participants, and even exploring the idea of reviving the Leadership program for youths in the community.
Discussing opportunities for growth and innovation in Clinton County, Green pointed to tourism and economic development as crucial aspects of the region that can help it continue to thrive. By leveraging the area’s natural beauty and outdoor resources, he aims to attract both visitors and businesses alike. “We’re very lucky that our area has the industries and businesses we have, and yet there’s room for more,” he said. “The long and short of it is that we need people to visit here, like it here, and then move here; whether it be tourism and outdoor recreation, industry, or retail, it’s going to be critical that we, as a community, accomplish it,” Green concluded.
To support existing businesses in the county, Green plans to ensure that the Chamber of Commerce continues to foster a sense of community by encouraging strong partnerships, networking, and collaboration. “A strong chamber means strong partnerships,” he noted. “Providing worthwhile networking opportunities and facilitating collaboration is the name of the game. When diverse businesses and industries form relationships and support one another, we all benefit.”
In terms of the Leadership Clinton County program and its capacity to support existing businesses, Green seeks to maintain its successful track record. “Creating leaders is one of the absolute best benefits we have that supports existing businesses,” he explained. Graduates of the Leadership program, who are often sponsored by their employers, come out with new energy, having become well-networked and equipped with new leadership skills and knowledge, making them valuable assets to their employers and the broader community.
When discussing challenges that Clinton County businesses are currently facing, Green identified one point at issue: retaining talented and passionate people. “Keeping people who have talent, skills, and passion that benefit our community here is one of our biggest challenges, and it’s one that I’m keenly passionate about addressing. We need to create and have opportunities in our own backyard to keep them here, especially young people.”
Green emphasized the need to create local opportunities to prevent a “Human Capital Flight” phenomenon. Expanding on this phenomenon, Green said, “It was formerly called ‘brain drain’ but now they say ‘Human Capital Flight’ which, if I’m being candid, I hate that term. People to me aren’t capital; they’re people,” he candidly remarked. “It’s the same as the term ‘human resources’. I think it’s reflective of our society that we’ve adopted these dehumanized terms in many ways. We were better off when we called human resources what it really is, ‘personnel’. After all, at the end of the day, as human beings, we’re all people with complex lives.”
To combat the issue of Human Capital Flight, Green expressed the importance of ensuring our area is appealing and has sufficient opportunities. “It’s pretty simple, really, but complex to achieve,” Green said, noting three critical strategies he has in mind to retain businesses that add value to the county: Ensuring that people have jobs that they find fulfilling, providing wages that sufficiently cover basic living expenses to relieve financial stress, and maintaining a community that is safe, appealing, and features recreational opportunities. “Fortunately, in my dual role here, I can be one of many trying to contribute to these efforts,” Green assured.
When asked how he works with the county government to bolster local businesses, Green shared that collaboration with the county government is a key component of his strategic vision. Although the CCEP is a 501(c)6 private organization, it works closely with Clinton County commissioners. “We collaborate on nearly a daily basis with the county government,” he explained, noting that the commissioners actively participate as board and committee members within the CCEP. “Our goals are parallel: Economic development, tourism, infrastructure, creating leaders, retaining talent, etc. It all benefits Clinton County and contributes to its thriving.”
Looking to the future, Green envisions the evolution of tourism and industry, starting with downtown Lock Haven. “In 10 years, I’d hope to see a thriving downtown full of dining, entertainment, and retail opportunities that can serve as a gateway to the rest of the county’s beauty. I hope to see industry grow as the partnership expects, especially along the Route 64 and Interstate 80 corridors,” he shared. Green also expressed hope that the northern and western parts of the county will attract more tourism in the future.
To support Green’s efforts, the Clinton County Leadership program, and the CCEP, he extends an open invitation to anyone with a stake in the community—especially businesses and industries—to join the chamber, engage in networking events, and support the Leadership Clinton County program, which relies on sponsorships and donations to operate. “The more support we have, the more we can accomplish,” he emphasized, highlighting the impact of community involvement.
In closing, Green emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. “Positivity breeds positivity, and self-defeating really is self-defeating,” he noted, encouraging the community to challenge negative thoughts. He pointed out that people tend to have a natural bias toward negativity, and the modern world’s echo chamber often amplifies this through the things we see, share, and choose to believe. Offering a hopeful message, Green encourages people to adopt a positive mindset for the benefit of the entire community. “Instead of echoing something negative, echo something positive. Let’s be optimistic about where we live. It’s often said in economics that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’. Let’s apply that to optimism,” he said.
As the community looks to the future, Green’s leadership stands as a beacon of hope and progress, committed to forging a thriving Clinton County for all its residents.
For more information or to connect with Ben Green and explore ways to contribute to a flourishing future in Clinton County, email coordinator@clintoncountyinfo.com or visit the Clinton County Economic Partnership’s website and Facebook page.
The Clinton County Economic Partnership is located at 212 North Jay Street in downtown Lock Haven.
Clinton County Economic Partnership Website: www.clintoncountyinfo.com
Facebook: Search “Clinton County Economic Partnership”
Email: coordinator@clintoncountyinfo.com
Phone: 570-748-5782
