Around Town – New Year’s Round Up
By Christopher Miller
As we begin to put a close to the year 2020 and look forward to what lies ahead, it is worth a mention to do a brief recap of some of the top things that have come out of such a turbulent and ever-changing year.
Below are just a few of the notable items that have stemmed from an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable year.
Downtown Lock Haven
More than half-way through the year we noticed a drastic change to the downtown. The dark, early days of COVID-19 led to a dramatic update to the downtown area as we know it. More than 4 small businesses opened their doors in the area that comprises Main, Church, and Water Streets. These businesses include 3 boutiques, a bakery, and financial services.
As well, early in March a small group of interested parties met with the members of the Lock Haven Masonic Lodge to begin the planning phases of an arts and cultural center at 150 East Main Street. These early plans and talks have garnered a grant in the amount of $10,000 for a feasibility study of the cultural center.
Renovo
Half-way through the year the Renovo area was made known of a new business on the verge of being planned for the former Family Dollar building on Huron Avenue. Joe Turnowchyk of the Lancaster County area announced plans of intent to establish a pretzel-making facility in the borough. Turnowchyk, who has had a camp in the Tamarack area for over 20 years, planned, as of the June 3 article, to employ some 20 people from the Renovo area with plans for providing fundraising opportunities to churches and schools in the local community.
In other news, a handful of volunteers with the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park were instrumental in providing meals for the elderly and shut-ins who did not wish to venture out during the early days of the pandemic. After a brief time away news was made in the past weeks that production of meals was up and at it again during the holiday season.
COVID-19
It seems as if there should be a dark cloud looming overhead with the words “COVID-19” and “Coronavirus.” It seems as if there shouldn’t be any sunny days, or happy moments but indeed there were many. Life still went on, just in another form. New rules, new vocabulary, guidelines…we surely have learned a lot in this short time.
We entered 2020 with organizations holding “roaring 20’s” fundraising parties galore, then by St. Patrick’s Day we were all peering out of our windows asking ourselves if it was safe to venture outside. Masks and increased cleanliness became our new norm. Shutdowns hurt and affected all of us in many different ways. We sat in silence waiting for the virus to be on our doorstep.
There is a vaccine in sight, and for that we must be patient and wait our turn.
Bald Eagle Valley Trail
The Bald Eagle Valley Trail, which right now spans from the train station at Castanea and goes towards McElhattan, is in development with plans to eventually connect with the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Jersey Shore. The 3.4 miles of current, usable trail has a projected span of 11.5 miles and is open to walkers, runners and bicycling.
The trail which follows an old railroad bed will be a tremendous addition to the vast outdoors opportunities available in our local area.
City of Lock Haven (Destination Lock Haven)
In the second quarter of 2020 announcements came forth from the City of Lock Haven that they were interested in community and business input in the rebuilding and updating of the Comprehensive Plan.
Aptly named Destination Lock Haven, the plan is to outline the future of the City’s plans to address strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to development. The plan is to provide goals and action items that will help to make Lock Haven a destination for all.
As well, the City saw overall amazing reviews of the Open Air dining and concert venue, and the Farmer’s Market that saw the closure of Main, Grove, and Vesper Streets from July – October.
Entrepreneurship
Going hand-in-hand with the development that downtown Lock Haven has seen this year, entrepreneurship appears to be running high in the local area.
If you have an idea for a business or service, there is no better time than the present to begin planning. Help is available through the Small Business Development Center to make your dream of self-employment a reality.
