The Express spoke with county government officials about some of these projects and what will continue into the new year.

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners expressed excitement about these projects and even more to look forward to in 2026.

Chair Jim Russo offered kudos to the county employees for these projects that were completed in 2025.

“The employees of the county are extremely hard working and thorough and do a great job,” Russo said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Brews in the Barn Organizer Adam Coleman, far right, is pictured with Bill Richardson of Bald Eagle Beer Distributor and Andrew Marzka, of WR Hickey’s Beer Distributor. Coleman noted the two men are instrumental in helping organizing the brewers each year.

Other members of the board also felt the county has been able to push forward meaningful work.

“For 2025 I feel there has been a lot of impactful and ongoing positives from our office,” Commissioner Angela Harding told The Express.

Here is a breakdown regarding some of these projects and more:

OUTDOOR RECREATION

The Bald Eagle Valley Trail continues to make progress, with its fifth phase opening this year.

PHOTO PROVIDED The start of the 2025 Frozen Snot event. The race began at 7:30 am from the Restless Oaks pavilion in McElhattan and headed down Reservoir Road, giving runners a chance to spread out and warm up before hitting the trailhead.

According to COO/Chief Clerk Desiree Myers, the completion of the phase “represents meaningful progress toward the county’s long-term vision for recreation, connectivity and quality of life.”

In previous years, the county was able to open Katie’s Crossing — the only pedestrian crossing over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Pa. — that connected the portion between the trailhead at Castanea to state Route 150 near Avis.

The project included paved switchbacks from the existing bridge and continues along the river to the newly constructed trailhead at Fritz Road, improving accessibility for users overall.

The goal of this multi-year project is to connect the trail with the Pine Creek Valley Rail Trail.

Commissioner Angela Harding noted the county continues to get closer to this connection.

“We have met with property owners and continue to inch closer to connections that will complete the trail,” she said.

Once completed, the trail will offer 10 miles of safe, ADA-compliant walking and biking paths for residents and visitors from Lock Haven into Lycoming County and the rail trail’s start point in Jersey Shore.

Harding also commended a major contribution by local railroad enthusiast, John Gummo.

“It should also be noted that in 2025 Mr. John Gummo made a significant contribution of railroad artifacts that will be placed along the trail,” Harding said.

Phase 5 was supported through a PA DCNR design grant and a PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Grant.

Commissioner Jeff Snyder said he’s looking forward to exploring further research into creating a fish/kayak passage in Woodward Township.

“We are applying to the PA Fish and Boat Commission for a feasibility study to explore the possibility of constructing a fish/kayak passage around the dam on the Woodward Township side of the river,” Snyder said.

He said the county already approached property owners in the area of the proposed passage and Woodward Township officials.

“They are all on board with exploring the idea,” he said.

911 COMMUNICATION UPGRADES

The Clinton County Department of Emergency Service along with local fire, EMS and police were able to transition to the new public safety radio system — a long-term project for the county to offer a reliable community amongst emergency service providers county-wide.

According to Myers, as of Dec. 18, fire, EMS and police switched to the Project 25 (P25) digital radio system, completing a once-in-a-generation infrastructure upgrade.

“This $12.3 million project modernized the County’s entire 911 radio and tower system, replacing outdated analog equipment with a fully digital platform that provides clearer voice communications, secure encryption, trunking capabilities and the ability to transmit both voice and data, including images and video,” Myers said.

The project was made possible through grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development COVID-19 programs, the USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice.

PLANNING,

COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

The county is continuing its work in updating its comprehensive plan. The plan will help guide future decisions related to land use, infrastructure investment, housing, transportation and economic development.

Russo credits County Planner/Engineer Stephen Gibson and his department for their work towards the plan.

“The planning department does a great job in keeping everyone abreast with grants (and), overall, the comprehensive plan for the county,” he said.

He added the comprehensive plan involves all levels.

“That’s a team effort between all parties at the county and the employees of the county are extremely hardworking people,” he said.

The county also began its Greenways Plan. Both plans focus on collaboration among the county’s municipalities, seeks public input and will include data-driven support to help create growth in the future.

“We have held our first meeting in November 2025 with our contractor and look forward to spending 2026 meeting with steering committees, stakeholders, municipalities and county residents to formulate two plans that outline a direction for our county,” Harding said of the plans.

In other development, Harding said the county’s Redevelopment authority has reinvigorated itself.

“The once stagnant group is now revitalized and making progress in removing blighted properties within the county,” she said.

Other community projects include the continued work with America250PA and its initiatives.

In 2025, the county held supporting events and projects — such as the installation of a Liberty Bell designed by local artist Kasey Dumm — to recognize the Keystone state’s role in the nation’s history and highlight the county’s heritage.

Myers said planning is already underway for expanded America250PA programming in 2026, including additional community events, educational opportunities and legacy projects tied to the Commonwealth’s semiquincentennial.

HOUSING AND HEALTH INITIATIVES

With the award of $1.7 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and a reserve of $1,544,577 in PennHOMES funds by the Pa. Housing Finance Agency, the county is looking to construct $15 million senior housing.

In 2025, Myers said the county has continued to work with regional partners — such as SEDA-COG — and housing agencies to advance this project.

Snyder said the county was excited to receive the funding that can be put towards the project he referenced as Flemington Manor. The project, he said, will be managed by SEDA-COG and will be constructed next to Susquehanna Heights.

SEDA-COG also served as project manager for Susquehanna Heights.

“Flemington Manor will be a 46-unit, 48,265 square foot, three story structure offering 42 one-bedroom units, four two-bedroom units, and 4,305 square feet of community space,” Snyder said. “This project will help address the long waiting list of senior citizens in Clinton County who need affordable housing.”

The county continued its support of Bucktail Medical Center — the only hospital in operation in Clinton County.

“The county has been instrumental in not only helping the hospital find a path to sustainability, we held monthly calls with all state and federal officials, and helped cover financial gaps with delayed state and federal funding,” Harding said. “This institution is imperative for development in Western Clinton County, both industry and the growing sector of tourism.”

In 2026, the commissioners are looking forward to continuing many of these projects and more while maintaining a balanced budget.

“For 2026, I look forward to pushing forward on all irons in the fire and hopefully strengthening our relationships with our municipalities,” Harding said.

She noted this will begin with a Municipal Workshop in January.

“County departments, state agencies and elected officials join us for a day with newly elected and current municipal officials to learn about the resources available to municipalities and to help them gain an understanding of how both the county and state can help them,” Harding said.

For Russo, he’s looking to continue to assist in industrial development for the county. He said this includes the continued support of developing the Lamar Township business park and work in Renovo.