By
Sandie Biddle
Lopes enjoys his dual role with
the partnership. “There’s
always something new going on,” he
says. “What’s good
for one can be good for the other.”
He’d just finished hosting
the Eggs & Issues economic
forecast presented by M&T
Bank and is now putting the finishing
touches on the 21st annual Business
Expo which takes place May 17
at Lock Haven University. “After
all these years, interest hasn’t
slacked at all,” he says. “There
are more than 100 businesses
exhibiting.”
He’s positive about the
economic outlook for Clinton
County, “Business growth
is good and strong. Things are
looking up.”
The county is part of Pennsylvania
Wilds, a collaborative effort
of 12 counties and eight tourism
agencies in north central Pennsylvania,
as well as Valleys of the Susquehanna,
a 10-county central Pennsylvania
partnership. “We work together
to promote the area regionally,” he
says.
He’s found that the cooperative
marketing effort can bring a
large influx of interest in the
area. “The power of advertising
and promoting a region has to
be done carefully. You have to
make sure you have the infrastructure
and facilities in place to handle
the new business.”
To that end, Lopes is a member
of the county’s transportation
committee, which meets and discusses
future needs with PennDOT regularly. “That
way we can go in with one voice – promoting
the projects we’d like
to have considered.
“We’re also addressing the
infrastructure of water and sewage.
When we get the new projects
in place, we can attract new
development.”
Though the partnership has a
full-time staff of six people,
he knows that the work could
never be done without the many
community volunteers that sit
on committees and address the
issues. “Hats off to our
community volunteers,” he
said. “Together we can
guide new development – and
not destroy the quality of life
of the people who are already
here.” ~PBC |
Elks,
CV joints & toilet paper
By
Sandie Biddle
There
are many ways to attain
economic success.
In Clinton County, manufacturing
and glorious deep green
woods form a partnership
that’s good for
all.
It was a tough job, but Wes Grand, president and CEO of the Clinton County Economic
Partnership made his top five list of exciting economic developments for this
profile. Then Peter Lopes, chamber and tourism director, added his top picks.
First, the Grand overview:
1. Ground was just broken for Phase II of the First Quality Tissue project. The
company took over the vacant International Paper property a few years ago and
opened a million-square-foot production facility, adding nearly 200 jobs. Phase
II will be a mirror image of Phase I – another million-square-feet and
maybe another 200 jobs. Employing more than 1,500, the manufacturer’s five
divisions make it the county’s biggest employer – and it keeps soaking
up more workers.
2. The new Lamar Township Business Park at I-80 and Route 220 is getting its
first tenant soon. American Piezo Ceramics will be up and running in a few weeks
and there are three more prospects considering locating in the new park.
3. When Drive Plus, a CV-joint manufacturer, moved out in 2004, a similar Canadian
company called Fenco showed up to buy some of the equipment. Fenco was convinced
to keep the equipment where it was and move into the old plant. Now in production
making CV joints under the name Rafko, Grand said the new company will “more
than make up for the 100 jobs” lost from Drive Plus.
4. After negotiating with Your Building Centers, YBC opened Beech Creek Manufacturing
in the old Champion Parts facility in Clinton County, then leased the extra space
to another local manufacturer to use as warehouse space.
5. Faced with five or six county communities on sewer-tap moratoriums, the partnership
and the county solid waste authority, along with DEP, collaborated on a regional
sewer authority, which is working to help the municipalities get grants and low-interest
loans to repair and upgrade – making way for new development.
Second, Lopes is pleased with the progress being made by the downtown development
groups in the county. Renovo’s team is really getting involved in revitalizing
the remote town, and banking on its nearby natural attractions to bring in tourism
and business. Lock Haven is now in an official Main Street program, complete
with volunteers, storefront renovations, landscaping, streetscaping, and an active
riverfront including a river walk, amphitheatre, and city beach.
The 21st annual Business Expo of manufacturing, commercial, retail, attractions,
and organizations is scheduled for May 17 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lock Haven
University’s Thomas Field House. There are many new exhibitors and admission
is free.
“Once again, it looks like we’re going to have an excellent showcase
of
the business community in and around Clinton County,” said Wade Keiffer,
expo chairman. “We have some new exhibitors this year and we filled all
the booth spaces in record time.”
“Lock Haven University is a wonderful partner to us,” said Lopes, “and
this expo provides a lot of great opportunities for business and the community.”
Lopes mentioned a number of events that will draw tourism and business to Clinton
County, including the Piper Fly-In, Labor Day Regatta, Flaming Foliage Festival,
and the newly established Bald Eagle Mountain Mega-Transect – a 24-mile
hike that has already doubled in participation in its first three years. This
year’s Mega-Transect may challenge as many as 500 extreme hikers.
Clinton County attractions include numerous parks, forests, and waterways, as
well as Woolrich, Millbrook Playhouse, a dramatic hang-glider launch area near
Renovo, and the largest wild elk herd in the northeast.
In other Clinton County news, Rep. Mike Hanna announced that the William T. Piper
Memorial Airport has received $185,250 in funding to make necessary improvements.
The airport will use the funds to acquire land and necessary easements to remove
hazardous obstructions.
“
The airport is already a very important resource for local businesses,” Hanna
said. “The improvements made with this funding will further enhance its
usefulness to the community.” ~PBC
|
