Tourism Grant hands out $100,000 to support 17 area organizations, events
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LOCK HAVEN -- Seventeen area organizations and events are benefiting from $100,000 in the 2025 Clinton County Tourism Grant.
Clinton County Visitor Bureau's Tourism Director Kira Rosamilia and Community Planner/Zoning Officer Matthew Croak announced the recipients during Thursday's Clinton County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Rosamilia said the tourism grant committee received 20 applications totalling $170,000 in requests.
"Unfortunately, more than the funding we had available.," Rosamilia said.
However, that was able to change through discussions amongst committee members.
Rosamilia said following "hours of thoughtful debate and discussions about the exceptional quality of applications" and recognizing the importance of the projects and the county's growth, the committee increased the budget to $100,000.
The additional $25,000 came from the "outstanding performance of our local hotels and increased visitation to Clinton County," Rosamilia said.
Croak gave a big thank you to members of the committee for their support in the process and their input.
"We expanded this year to a bigger, diverse selection to hear from everybody," he said. "Just getting different opinions on how things should be."
Committee members included: Croak, Rosamilia, Steve Gibson, Commissioners Angela Harding and Jim Russo, Chris Hoy, Gregg Lucas, Joan Marshall and Joslynne "Jossy" Mutchler.
The following organizations received grant funding this year:
-- Central Mountain ATV, $1,939
-- City of Lock Haven Summer Concert Series, $5,000
-- City of Lock Haven Arts and Bike Corridor, $4,000
-- Kettle Creek Music Festival, $2,800
-- Piper Aviation Museum, $3,577
-- Quiet Oaks Campground, $3,200
-- Clinton County Arts Council's LH Jams, $6,200
-- Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., $9,000
-- Q Cycling LLC for PA Unpaved event at Sproul State Forest, $9,000
-- Chestnut Grove Recreation Authority for tournaments, $6,984
-- Millbrook Playhouse, $9,000
-- Sentimental Journey Fly In, $6,000
-- Clinton County Historical Society's Wine in the Wilds, $2,100
-- Clinton County Fair and Speedway, $9,000
-- Revibe Outdoors for kids trail races, $8,400
-- Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze, $9,000
-- Spook Haven, $4,800
"These grants reflect our commitment to promoting Clinton County as a vibrant destination. From arts and cultural festivals to outdoor recreation and historic preservation, these projects will enhance the visitor experience and strengthen our community's economic vitality," Rosamilia said.
She also encouraged organizations who applied and did not receive funding to continue to engage in the program and look forward to the future.
"If your project didn't receive the full amount requested or wasn't funded this year, please know that we value your dedication to enhancing tourism and enriching our community. Our goal is to grow Clinton County as a destination where visitors create lasting memories and residents are proud to call home," she said. "We encourage you to stay engaged--together, we can continue to build something truly special."
She further thanked the committee for their support and dedication to the grant process this year.
"It was an absolute pleasure working with the grant committee this year, whose dedication and insight made this process truly rewarding," Rosamilia said. "We were incredibly impressed by the creativity and passion of the applicants, and we can't wait to see these projects come to life, enhancing both our tourism and our community. Together, we're building something extraordinary for Clinton County."
In other business the commissioners:
-- Heard from Commissioner Harding who noted that, after receiving a $1,000,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Bucktail Medical Center repaid a loan previously approved by the commissioners. "Bucktail has repaid that loan that the county offered them... in full and we wish Bucktail Medical Center the best moving forward," she said.
-- Heard from Commissioner Jim Russo who thanked Harding for representing the board during a visit from Gov. Josh Shapiro in Lock Haven on Wednesday afternoon. "She did an excellent job representing us well. I wanted to tell you thank you and it was a very good day for us," Russo said.
-- Approved a one-year subscription renewal from CDW-G for Cisco Duo Multi Factor Authentication license from Feb. 4 to Feb. 3, 2026 at a cost of $15,000.
-- Approved a settlement of a real estate tax assessment appeal.
-- Approved a contract between the county and Dons Does It, LLC for seasonal maintenance at Magisterial District Justice III's office, effective Dec. 15, 2024 to Dec. 15, 2025 at a rate of $50 per service not to exceed $12,899.
-- Approved an extension agreement between the county and Larson Design Group, Inc. for inspection services of Bald Eagle Valley Trail Phase 5 until May 30, 2025.
-- Appointed Kyle Walters to the Clinton County Recreation Committee for a two-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
-- Accepted a resignation from Ronald Brungart as associate director from the Clinton County Conservation District Board, effective Jan. 6, 2025.
-- Reappointed Wilson Riccardo, Carol Hanna, Paul Conklin and Kyle Stewart to the Clinton County Revolving Loan Fund Board for a one-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2025.
-- Promoted Sarah Moore from Clerk I to Clerk II at Magisterial District Court 25-3-1, effective the first pay of January 2025, at an annual salary of $51,128.94. The salary is based on the 5 percent increase promotion policy established at the Jan. 2 Salary Board meeting.
-- Accepted the resignation of Trey Foster, deputy sheriff, effective Jan. 31.