Russo Takes Over as Economic Partnership Board Chairman
MACKEYVILLE, PA – The Clinton County Economic Partnership took its annual meeting outdoors Wednesday night. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the partnership elected to have the session in the large pavilion at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
The meeting saw Jim Russo from M & R Contracting recognized as the new partnership operating committee chairman; he replaces Dave Harger from Harger Utility Contractors, Inc. whose two-year term came to an end.
Five members were elected to the Partnership’s 15-member Operating Board for 3-year terms. They are:
– Cedar Run Environmental Services, Inc., represented by Steve Bason
– First Quality, represented by Bill Garbrick
– Harger Utility Contractors, Inc., represented by Dave Harger
– Lock Haven University, represented by Deana Hill
– Wayne Township Landfill, represented by Marci Orndorf
Partnership members in attendance heard detailed reports from the organization’s leadership.
From Julie Brennan, the Chamber/Tourism Report:
The Economic Partnership and Tourist Promotion Agency continues to reach out and support our members and the entire business community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-March, we have communicated daily and are a trusted source for information. We also are posting information and resources on our website, fielding calls and emails from businesses and organizations wanting information and guidance, helping businesses and organizations secure financial support, and are spotlighting member businesses on our Facebook pages to help promote their products and services.
Like many of you, we are determined to weather this storm, but our business has definitely been impacted by the pandemic. As the designated recipient of the County’s Hotel Tax, the Tourist Promotion Agency has seen a decline in revenue of more than 55 percent in the first and second quarters of 2020. To that end, we did apply for a Clinton County CARES grant primarily to support marketing efforts. The county is expected to announce grant awards at their meeting tomorrow morning.
Local events have taken a substantial hit this year, but we are seeing a resumption in some activities this fall. We continue to encourage event organizers to “save a place” for some of our traditional events by hosting a scaled-down version, instead of cancelling their event…and many have done just that:
o Kettle Creek Music Festival and Lock Haven JAMS Festival, both in August;
o Trail races including the Sproul 10K, Little Loggers, Hyner Half and this weekend’s Boulder Beast trail challenge. The Hyner View Trail Challenge in April was canceled this year, but the PA Trail Dogs are planning a November 8 one-and-done race called ‘The View’ 25K so a smaller group has a chance to race up Hyner Mountain;
o Lock Haven Area Jaycees Labor Day Festival; Renovo ATV Cruise for a Cure this past weekend;
o The Salvation Army’s popular “Soup Off’, being done in a unique way this year…drawing people to local restaurants between Oct. 1 and Nov. 20;
o Autumn Festival in Renovo (Flaming Foliage Weekend….October 10);
o Vendor Appreciation Weekend here at the Fairgrounds (in place of Christmas in the Barns) on October 17 and 18; and many more……..
We continue to partner with Central Mountains ATV Association and county government on ATV connector trail projects in the western Clinton County. CMATVA is awaiting word on a grant from DCNR that would accomplish all of the prep work for the approximate 1-mile connector at Brewery Run. In addition, the Tourist Promotion Agency recently awarded CMATVA their 2020 Clinton County Tourism/Recreation grant in the amount of $10,000, which was used to support construction of a large parking lot at their Hyner property. In addition to parking, the lot will be used to conduct training for youth that is state-mandated before they can legally operate an ATV….the first course there is scheduled for October 17.
Regarding the 2020 Tourism/Recreation Grants, we will carry over grant awards into 2021 for those organizations who were unable to carry out their project this year due to the pandemic.
We are a planning partner with the City of Lock Haven and Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. in support of the Pedestrian Mall on Main Street….which we hope will be extended through October.
We are supporting the Clinton County Historical Society’s celebration this Sunday, Sept. 20 at the historic Castanea Train Station, where they’ll showcase building renovations, the caboose overnight rental, the Clinton Central Model Railroad Clubhouse, & the Bald Eagle Valley Trail.
We are partnering with the Penn State SBDC for Global Entrepreneur Week November 16-20. The Chambers in Clinton, Centre and Juniata counties are organizing a panel discussion featuring business owners sharing their successes in pivoting their business in the face of the pandemic. Clinton County’s small business owner panelist will be Fabre Sanders of It Is What It Is specialty shop in Lock Haven.
Looking ahead, we are moving forward cautiously with plans to participate in several 2021 promotional shows, we are working with the Antique Automobile Club of America on a week-long antique auto tour of our area in July; and we are gathering 2021 event information so we can continue to promote all that is happening in Clinton County.
From Partnership CEO Mike Flanagan:
*KeyState Opportunity – The company is planning a natural gas petro chemical plant near Keating in Clinton County. The project is in the preliminary stages, but the project is moving forward at multiple levels.
*Lamar Township Business Park – The Partnership has about 50 acres remaining to sell at the park. The school district, county and Lamar Township agreed to request a Keystone Opportunity Zone extension on the remaining 50 acres, and the application was submitted to SEDA-COG/state in late August.
The vacant BJ Services facility will “officially” be for sale in a matter of a few weeks once a firm is chosen to market it.
*First Quality Tissue – The company recently announced on its website that it plans to install two new tissue machines, with locations expected to be announced the last quarter of this year.
*Renovo Energy Center (REC) – The company remains optimistic about developing a power plant in the former railyards.
– *Dominion – Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to buy Dominion Energy’s natural gas transmission and storage assets, including the Leidy fields. The total purchase is for about $10 billion. The deal needs regulatory approval and that is expected in the fourth quarter.
*Terrapin – The company recently announced its expansion at the medical marijuana facility near Avis. The expansion is well underway. About 30 jobs are to be created.
*Unemployment – The July 2020 unemployment rate for Clinton County was listed at 12%, up slightly from the 11% reading in June.
*Covid – The Partnership continues to organize and forward virus related information to its members and some non-members.
The Partnership’s annual dinner, usually held in October, and the December holiday party have been canceled due to the virus and the various restrictions.
We thank outgoing Board chairman Dave Harger, and welcome new chairman James Russo to a two-year term. Bill Garbrick of First Quality will serve as vice chairman.
Leadership Clinton County Coordinator April Bittner reported on the recent successful completion of the 20th Leadership class and said the 2020/21 LCC class gets underway Thursday, (Sept. 17).
