Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- Clinton County Economic Partnership officials remain optimistic that 2023 will be a solid one from a business standpoint.
"Everything can always be better, but we think 2022 was a nice bounce-back year and 2023 looks to build on the past calendar year," said Partnership Operating Board Chairman Bill Garbrick. "The partnership stands ready to assist in any project that would better the economic health and well-being of our greater community."
"We applaud those businesses and industries and small businesses that continue to invest locally," said partnership President Mike Flanagan. "Investment is what makes the dominos start to fall in a positive way."
While noting the confidential, early stages of some projects he's not at liberty to talk about at this point, Flanagan did touch on a few initiatives that are on the docket for 2023.
-- Croda's relatively recent purchase of the former Baker Hughes facility at the Lamar Township William Garbrick Sr. Business Park is something the Partnership was glad to hear.
"We are fortunate that a solid, stable, local employer such as Croda purchased that facility and has plans to invest in it and create employment opportunities," said Flanagan.
-- Renovo Energy Center (REC), as of mid-February, remains part of an appeal process brought forward by environmental groups to stop the planned power plant facility at the former Pennsylvania rail yards in Renovo. The initial appeal of an air quality permit issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection to REC was filed almost two years ago.
"It has been a long process," said Flanagan. "The developers remain optimistic but at every turn there seems to be an appeal process and that only prolongs the potential project. We just hope we get an answer in 2023 or early 2024. It would be a great boon for the Renovo area, especially during the two plus years to construct the project with hundreds of workers in and around the area."
-- Keystone Opportunity and APEX solar are proposing energy-based projects in the Keating Mountain area. A lot of work needs done but both have tentative 2026 goals to be operating.
-- Clinton County's unemployment rate remains relatively low with a 4.2% reading in December 2022, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry. One year ago, the rate was 5.0%.
"We are glad to see low unemployment numbers, but we also know that everyone and their brother is looking for capable employees," said Flanagan. "Sometimes the numbers just don't seem to add up."
-- The UPMC decision to essentially make the Lock Haven Hospital campus an emergency room has some trickle-down impacts.
"On one hand, we are glad that an emergency room will still be at the site and still treat people that may be involved with life threatening impacts," said Flanagan. "On the other, not having an acute care facility in your county seat might have an impact on attracting future growth, and even possible future residents."
-- The county, City of Lock Haven and Enterprise Zone (through the partnership) all have low interest loan funds available for any qualified entity within county or City boundaries.
"We encourage existing and potential business types to look into these low interest loans to perhaps assist them," said Flanagan. "It doesn't hurt to at least kick the tires on these loan funds."
The partnership is the chamber, tourism and economic development entity for the county and has almost 400 dues-paying members. The staff is overseen by a 15-member Operating Board.