LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County commissioners approved some $35,000 in allocations to numerous businesses and recreation and civic organizations Thursday, and the county planner said that application and approval process will be much smoother next year.
It was probably the first time all the county's recreation and tourism-related requests and allocations were listed on one document that provides a snapshot of just how much of a commitment the board has made to tourism this year.
The projects are funded through the county's Recreation Fund.
The recommendations came from a Tourism and Recreation Committee comprised of Commissioner Adam Coleman, Planning Director Tim Holladay and Clinton County Economic Partnership CEO and President Mike Flanagan.
The commissioners created the committee with the idea of placing all the recreation-tourism categories and requests into one bucket so they could be examined, compared and approved in that light.
"In February ... we sent out 35 notices to agencies we identified as being involved with tourism and recreation," Holladay said. "We tried to do it a little more formally than the past system ... which wasn't a system at all."
Commissioner Tom Bossert said the county has struggled with this process in the past, and he appreciates an effort that showed a logic and progression.
Holladay said the plan has been to provide money to existing events and start-up funds for the creation of new activities. He said the efforts will coincide with the county budget process in 2010.
The spreadsheet submitted to the commissioners includes six projects to which the board committed $13,658 during the budget process and 10 others were approved during Thursday's commissioners' meeting to the tune of $21,341
Projects in which funds were committed during the budget process:
n $2,000 to the Clinton County Economic Partnership for the Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven Fly-In.
n $1,198 to the Partnership for an ad promoting Clinton County with Centre Publications.
n $1,000 to Hyner Trail Challenge.
n $5,000 to Downtown Lock Haven Inc. for its activities.
n $725 to the Partnership for the Clinton County Visitors Guide.
n $3,735 to the Flaming Foliage Committee for marketing material.
New projects approved on Thursday
n $1,000 to Rock, River and Trail Outfitters for the Great Island Adventure Triathlon. Total cost $4,200.
n $1,200 to Central Mountain Boys Soccer Boosters for Commissioners' Cup Soccer Tournament. Total cost $2,399.
n $500 to Woodward Township Recreation Board for fireworks at the annual Riverfest in July at the township boat launch. Total cost $3,800.
n $3,891.33 to Keystone Little League to replace existing the Little League field in Mill Hall. Total cost $30,000
n $5,000 to the Susquehanna Greenways partnership for Greenways activities.
n $5,750 to Millbrook Playhouse, improvements to the courtyard and exterior painting
n $2,000 to the Flaming Foliage Festival, parade of queens.
n $1,000 to the Pa. Flaming Foliage Info Center, building expenses.
n $2,500 to the Beech Creek Watershed Association, pedestrian bridge design for Bricktown Trail.
n $500 to the Lock Haven Area Jaycees, labor Day fireworks.
Not approved
n $7,950 to Kettle Creek Music Festival for lighting, stage improvements and vendor increase. Total cost $16,150.
n $10,000 to Clinton County Fair Association for a sportsmen and recreation vehicle show. Total cost $20,000.
n $750 to Beech Creek Watershed Association for Bricktown Challenge start up and assistance. Total cost $1,000.
The effort, Holladay said, is designed to streamline the process for funding tourism related projects, and much of the decision-making next year will likely occur with budget review.
This year, there were about 18 new requests for recreational funding, an additional five request that were pre-approved, and three projects funded under other budget categories.
The commissioners noted that three other projects, including the Lock Haven Summer Concert Series, a Millbrook Playhouse marketing and advertising campaign, and the Clinton County Arts Council community art classes also received county support, albeit by means of other budget categories.
