Partnership remembers late CEO at dinner; gives annual update
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MILL HALL -- The banquet room at the Clinton Country Club in Mill Hall was packed this week for the Clinton County Economic Partnership's annual dinner.
The event, held in October of each year, saw 150 attendees and held a bit of a somber atmosphere as Board Chair Dave Harger took to the podium to Mcee the evening.
"I'm filling the shoes of someone we all love and miss," Harger opened his introductions.
Harger requested a moment of silence to remember the late Michael "Mike" Flanagan, who passed away on Sept. 29 after a hard fought battle against cancer.
"He fought a good fight," Harger said, noting Flanagan also dealt with a Lyme Disease diagnosis at the same time. "We're going to miss him really bad. But the partnership lives on and we'll survive."
"We'll do everything in honor of him and to keep the partnership strong for him," he continued.
Harger noted plans for a more formal dedication to Flanagan are being planned for the partnership's annual Holiday Dinner, slated for Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Sons of Italy.
"It would mean a lot to me personally if you could come and show your support," he said.
Much like Flanagan would do at each dinner, Harger offered a glimpse into the partnership's activity in the last year.
"Obviously without Mike there are some big shoes to fill," Harger said. He noted, for the time being, he'd serve as the organization's CEO.
Harger provided the following updates regarding the partnership in the last year:
-- The Wayne Township Landfill celebrated its 50th year and held the largest time out with 267 guests. "If you weren't there you missed a great event," he said.
-- Apex Energy is continuing to move forward with its solar array in Keating Township. Harger said a set timeline hasn't been shared but it's moving forward.
-- First Quality Products purchased the Brodart complex in McElhatten and is expanding.
-- Tourism Director Kira Rosamilia launched a new website. "It's pretty cool and she worked really hard on it," he said.
-- The partnership recently acquired the W.T. Story building in Renovo next to the bridge upriver from the town. The building is 50,000 square feet and ready to move into. "We have it now listed with a realty company and hope to put somebody in there soon," Harger said.
-- The partnership building at 212 N. Jay St., Lock Haven, was dedicated in honor of longtime board member Dan Harger.
-- The Renovo rail property has been acquired. "I am looking forward to working with the Renovo CTA (Community Trade Association) in helping the new owners get something rolling on the site," Harger said.
-- The partnership sold lot 12 at the William Garbrick Memorial Business Park in Lamar Township, with Croda, Inc. considering the purchase of another plot.
"A lot of this stuff wouldn't have happened without Mike," Harger concluded.
During his time at the podium, Harger also took the time to acknowledge CCEP's board of directors that include Vice Chair Louis Anastos, Carley Anderson, Larry Coploff, Steve Gibson, Amanda Gresh, James Hanna, Dan Harger, Dr. Stephen Lee, Robert Maguire, Laura Murnyack, Susie Peters, Dr. Frank Redmon, Jim Russo, Steve Stevenson, Kyle Stewart and Darlene Weaver.
He also thanked staff members Rosamilia, Chamber Director Ben Green and Chamber/Tourism Assistant Megan Wheeler for their work in preparing for Wednesday night's dinner.
"They really came together in a short period of time. There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that made this night possible. So our hats off to our staff because they really rocked it," he said.
Harger also thanked the dinner's sponsors.
"A lot of this wouldn't be possible without donors, our dinner sponsors and you folks coming out tonight," he said.
Sponsors included:
-- Elite Sponsor: Wayne Township Landfill
-- Gold Sponsors: Penn Centre Logistics, The Rosamilia Law Firm, JJ Peter's Disposal, Inc., Terrapin, Northwest Bank and Geisinger.
-- Silver Sponsors: Vetforce, M&R Contracting, First Citizens Community Bank and First Commonwealth Bank.
-- Bronze Sponsors: The EADS Group, North Shore Railroad Company, Coploff, Ryan & Houser and Woodlands Bank.
In his closing, Harger thanked Keynote Speaker Cael Sanderson, head wrestling coach at Penn State University, for coming to the event along with Billy Edwards for contacting Sanderson.
Rosamilia also spoke up and thanked Harger for his help at the partnership since Flanagan's passing.
"We wanted to thank Dave for stepping in and helping take the weight off," she said.
Harger noted the board of directors have been coming together to assist in this difficult time.
"When Mike got sick we rallied around him and that's what we do as business leaders and leaders in general," he said. "We have a good team and I look forward to next year. We're going to do this thing proud for Mike Flanagan."