Hutchinson endeavors to assist new and existing businesses by providing them with information they can use to start and grow their operations.
Hosting programs and speakers of interest to the business community is one of the services he provides – and through the library, Hutchinson serves as part of a referral network to further help area business.

Abilities Hutchinson brought to the library include experiences in journalism, tourism marketing, and public relations. Before coming to the library, he served as tourism coordinator for the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, and as a staff writer for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

“The James V. Brown Library has an outstanding collection of business resources which is a real asset to the community,” said Hutchinson. While the library remains the best place to conduct business research, it is somewhat of an untapped commodity.”

Hutchinson said that Williamsport’s James V. Brown Library is one of the busiest in the state. According to the Pennsylvania Library Association, for every $1 that goes to support public libraries, more than $5.50 in services is generated into the community.

There are many tools critical to the success of entrepreneurs, and business owners and managers, which may sometimes be overlooked.

“It is energizing to see the library’s tools being used by those seeking to start new businesses and change their life status,” Hutchinson stated. “There are many organizations and services available to assist entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. Part of the challenge is getting that information out to the public.”

On the personal front, Hutchinson is a member of the Williamsport Kiwanis Club, and a volunteer for Nittany Greyhounds, a rescue group that places ex-racing greyhounds in homes across central Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Rebecca, and their two children, have two greyhounds of their own, Damon and Sherry.

Planning, preserving and promoting for future economic health

By Brian E. Bassett

Redevelopment plans, historical preservation, tourism, and a new sports complex combine to create and support a healthy economic future for Lycoming County.
Main Street Community

Williamsport was officially designated as a Main Street Community in July, 2006.
“The Lycoming Main Street Project, including the five boroughs that surround the city, has set a goal to revitalize that core community,” explained Jessica Abernathy, Main Street coordinator for Williamsport. This revitalization will take place “through the preservation of significant historical assets (buildings, and open space usually associated with parks), and other major projects apart from those under the direction of the chamber of commerce. We are looking to rehabilitate historic structures, and revitalize, so it acts as a catalyst for future economic development.”

Abernathy said there are a number of major projects currently underway:
• An anchor building at a major intersection. The Lucasi Building, once owned by a Masonic Lodge, then becoming a card shop – was purchased by a young businessman for redevelopment as a high-end apartment building. The “naysayers” said it couldn’t be done, however plans are to place offices, retail businesses, and restaurants on the first floor – this floor faces both West 4th and Pine Street with store fronts on both streets. There is room for at least five apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors; and there is already a waiting list for future tenants.
“This project is already beginning to change the community,” said Abernathy. “It is a first step toward improving downtown foot traffic. Retail business downtown evolves from foot traffic – not the other way around.”
• Another building on South Pine, with three storefronts, is being revitalized to offer retail or restaurant space on the ground floor, office space on the second level, and apartments on the third level. This is a preliminary plan, subject to change.
• A trade and transit center, with a conference center capability, is planned to house a community theatre, the headquarters of the Lycoming Chamber of Commerce; and it will serve as the hub for the River Valley Transit System.
“The River Valley Transit System is hugely successful,” said Abernathy. “William Nichols, Jr., manager for 20 plus years, is doing it right.”
• Complimenting the trade and transit center, will be a new parking deck across the street; and next to the parking deck, a four-story building is being rehabbed to provide high-end lofts – to better serve future employees of businesses like the Susquehanna Health System.
Neighborhood Steering Committee

The “Park Avenue Neighborhood,” south of Williamsport Hospital, has some big changes on the horizon. A steering committee has been established to develop a long-term vision including strategies needed to tackle tough neighborhood issues.

The committee learned that Susquehanna Health System seeks to acquire and demolish approximately 100 residential properties in the neighborhood – to expand the hospital and create a campus-like appearance for the new medical center. This is scheduled to take place over the next several years, and the steering committee is concerned with its integration into the surrounding neighborhood.

“There is no doubt that the hospital’s planned expansion will have an impact on the surrounding neighborhood,” said Dave Abernathy, steering committee representative and neighborhood resident. “This planning process presents a timely opportunity for the neighborhood to work together with the hospital and city officials to explore a strategy that translates into a better product for all.”

Other members of the steering committee include residents, business people, and community leaders representing neighborhood churches, the Campbell Street Community Center, the Williamsport Area School District and the Lycoming County Housing Authority. Working with SEDA-COG’s Community Resource Center, an agenda is being developed for the coming months to identify unique aspects of the neighborhood, opportunities for improvement, and neighborhood concerns.

Other social concerns will include public safety, affordable housing, and the supporting role of downtown businesses. The Park Avenue Neighborhood Project is expected to last approximately one year.

“We hope this project will help build relationships that set the stage for meaningful change in this neighborhood for years to come,” said Amanda Burbage, SEDA-COG planner, who will work with the steering committee to guide the project.

Sports Complex
The New Generations Sports Complex, located in a former 80-acre cornfield just west of the Lycoming Mall in Muncy Township, is now home to the largest air-supported structure in North America.

“Yes, the sports dome was inflated,” said Matt Hutchinson, business services marketing manager, James V. Brown Library, Williamsport. “It is a very interesting sight along I-80 as you drive to the Lycoming Mall.”

The current and future development of the Generations Sports Complex is being guided by Opportunities Unlimited (OU), a non-profit, charitable organization. When fully developed through two phases, the complex will offer a convenient, safe sports and recreation enclave where a variety of wholesome, quality activities will be available to the youth and families of Lycoming County.

“A one-stop center for community sports and fitness,” is how the complex was described by Dan Klingerman, OU board president.

“This will be a phenomenal complex and a real asset to our community,” said Rep. Brett Feese (R-84), who helped nurture the vision for the complex. “Not only will it offer our families access to a state-of-the-art recreational facility, but it also has the ability to help bolster our community on several other fronts. We expect it will serve as another great selling point as we work with businesses that consider relocating here; particularly when they look at the amenities our community has to offer their employees. In addition, the complex will enable us to host regional sporting events, which will help attract more visitors to our businesses and bring new dollars to our local economy.”

This project was estimated to cost $11.2 million, including the 15-acre land value and associated site work gifted to the Eastern Lycoming YMCA by the original site developer, Turkey Run Partners, for construction of this facility.