CCEP holds annual meeting
Five elected to board; Brennan gives final report before retirement
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLINTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU
Lori Gunsallus with PA CareerLink Clinton County spoke to members of the Clinton County Economic Partnership at the organization's annual meeting.
LOCK HAVEN -- The Clinton County Economic Partnership held elections for its operating board during its annual meeting this week.
Partnership members met at the Best Western in Lock Haven to hold elections, hear reports from officials and learn about the Paths To Careers Program by guest speaker Lori Gunsallus of PA CareerLink Clinton County.
Gunsallus said the program allows businesses to register and create a profile and post career opportunities which can be viewed by area high school students.
The goal of the program is to create connections between employers, local educators and students, she said.
Five members of the Partnership Operating Board were elected for three-year terms including incumbents Bill Garbrick, representing First Quality, serving as operating board chair; Marci Orndorf, representing Wayne Township Landfill, serving as vice chair; Dave Harger, representing Harger Utility Contractors; and Dr. Stephen Lee, representing Commonwealth University-Lock Haven.
Susie Peters, representing the Clinton County Conservation District, is new to the operating board.
The board heard reports from CCEP President/CEO Mike Flanagan, Tourism Director Julie Brennan and Leadership Clinton County Director April Bittner.
Flanagan's report touched on a variety of happenings within Clinton County that included:
-- Property in Renovo Industrial Park is expected to be on the market in October, after paperwork involving Jersey Shore State Bank and CCEP was signed. The total acreage that is expected to be for sale is about 50. According to Flanagan's report, the appraisal from JSSB came in at $770,000, and that is likely going to be the asking price.
-- The main building for the former Woolrich manufacturing plant was purchased for $1.15 million by Bayonne, N.J.-based company Crown Hill Holdings, LLC. "We were able to make contact with the owners, but have no firm details on any future plans as of late August," Flanagan said in his report. "The outlet store may soon be listed on the market."
-- Two projects in West Keating Township -- a hydrogen hub and larger solar field -- are moving forward but will require a lot of work over the next couple of years.
-- Croda is moving ahead with renovations in the former Baker Hughes facility at Lamar Township Business Park. An option agreement for lot 12 on the property was signed by the partnership with Robert Maguire and Big Mountain Disposal, LLC.
-- Flanagan's report reviewed the county's unemployment rate which was down slightly. The rate for June was at 4.3 percent, down slightly from May's 5.3 percent. As of June 2022, the unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.
Flanagan also noted that -- with Brennan's retirement -- Kira Rosamilia is set to take on the tourism director position beginning Sept. 25.
Brennan gave her final report to the board Wednesday night, taking time to offer thanks for her time with the partnership.
"As I head into retirement, I want to thank the many, many people who have been amazing partners, resources and supporters," she said. "You have made this job fun and rewarding."
Brennan said she feels a great foundation has been left for Rosamilia -- who previously served as Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.'s manager -- to build on.
"I know she is looking forward to establishing similar partnerships, resources and supporters," she said.
Brennan reviewed a wide range of topics regarding tourism within the county including:
-- The Logan Mills Covered Bridge puzzle, the second in the annual "Clinton County Landmarks" puzzle series, was a hit. Eight hundred puzzles were ordered and only 20 are left.
-- The Clinton County Traffic Safety GeoTrail has seen nearly 200 people from 10 different states log in to "find" one of the 18 caches hidden around the county. The program was established in 2022.
-- The Susquehanna Grains & Grapes beer and wine tasting trail has kicked off. Next week will see the first quarterly draw from those who have completed the passport. The winner will receive a $25 gift card from a trail participant of their choice. These include: Broken Axe Brew House, Floating Feathers Brewing Company, Good Neighbors Craft House, Bald Birds Brewing Company, Oregon Hill Winery and Up the Crick-Wine & Antiques.
-- The county will host the state championship Homebrewers Invitational tournament on Oct. 21 at Floating Feathers Brewing Company in Mill Hall. Eighteen finalists will vie for the title of best homebrewer in the state at this competition, which is open to the public.
-- The bureau has begun a Facebook advertising campaign to reach out to users within a 100-mile radius regarding a plethora of events happening in the county. The campaign has seen great results, Brennan said, with the ads seen by more than 126,000 individuals and drawn about 3,000 people to the partnership's website.
Bitner provided a rundown on the upcoming Leadership Clinton County Class of 2024. The campaign kicked off with a two-day event earlier in the month, and saw 19 total individuals representing a variety of businesses and organizations taking part in this year's program.
Bitner said she's continuing to secure speakers and locations for the program year and sponsorships as well. Leadership Clinton County has two upcoming events -- a golf tournament on Oct. 6 and a Comedy Night on Jan. 26, 2024.
In other business, Bitner noted the Clinton County Enterprise Zone has four active loans; a recent Time Out at Light My Fire Hearth Shop saw 79 attendees and another is planned for Nov. 1 at the Wayne Township Landfill. The Time Out is being held in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of when the landfill accepted its first load of waste.
The CCEP Annual Dinner will be held on Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center and the Holiday Cocktail Party is scheduled for Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Haywood's on the Green in its Green Ballroom.