EMPORIUM — Officials in Cameron and Potter counties are looking forward to the new year, and will continue progress on a number of projects that have already gotten underway.
County and municipal leaders in Cameron County are working to address blight, which has invaded many rural communities over the past several decades.
“This is a constant project, and we’re all on top of it, including borough and township officials,” said Commissioner Jim Thomas.
Over the past several years, municipalities have been purchasing properties held in the county repository that are unable to be rehabilitated. The county works with the municipality and other agencies to fund the demolition of the structure.
Economic and Industrial Development director Cliff Clark stated that the county is currently working with Northern Tier Community Action Corp. to develop ways to repurpose some of the lots, especially those in residential areas. Usage is restricted for a number of years because the county utilizes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for tear-downs, but there are several ways a lot can be used without breaking any regulations. Any redevelopment must benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and families, and it is possible that NTCAC could construct homes through a program that appears to be similar to Habitat for Humanity.
The Sylvan Heritage Council and Industrial Development have teamed up to offer an expanded façade program in the Borough of Emporium. A grant is being applied for that would bring $23,000 in state money in to complete improvement projects at five or more businesses. Further beautification of Emporium has been identified as a way to draw in more tourists and create repeat visitors of the people who visit Cameron County.
Boroughs and townships are also working on enforcement of current ordinance laws in an effort to stem some blight and other issues being reported by residents. The Emporium Borough and Shippen Township officials are working to identify and address code and ordinance issues. Currently, there are civil cases filed against non-compliant residents in both municipalities.
A large project was recently completed between Cameron and Elk counties. The West Creek Rail Trail is now open to snowmobiles and cross country skiers from Emporium to St. Marys. The eighteen-mile trail winds along the Driftwood Branch and West Creek through beautiful scenery along a defunct railroad grade.
Even before its completion, the trail was increasing tourism to the region. Now that it has been completed, and a group has organized to push for connecting trails to link the rail trail to other trail systems, officials are hopeful that even more visitors will be drawn to the forests and clean mountain streams Cameron County has to offer.
In Potter County, officials are working on two large CDBG fund-driven projects to improve utility service to residents in the northern portion of the county. Improvements to Genesee’s water system and Shinglehouse’s sewage system are underway or in the planning phases.
A façade improvement project is also being tackled here between the Route 6 Initiative and the county’s Circuit Rider program. Funding will be used to continue strengthening downtown areas across the county, according to Commissioner Susan Kefover. They may also partner with Mansfield University for the effort.
Changes to the county’s tourism promotion program appear to be coming together, according to Commissioner Paul Heimel.
“There is a lot of potential to boost tourism appeal in the county,” said Heimel. “Tourism is our second biggest industry behind lumber/agriculture.”
County officials are working with members of the Potter County Visitors Association (PCVA) as the agency disbands. Tourism promotion will be turned over to a joint agency which is being created to attract visitors to Potter and Tioga counties.
Heimel stated that one of the biggest draws to Potter County is the technology infrastructure offered. Residents have access to reliable high-speed internet, and a number of young professionals are moving back to the area to raise families while they telecommute to their jobs via the internet.
“We’re getting some higher-paid people who work out of the area but choose to live here in Potter County and raise their families,” said Heimel.
Commissioners in both counties are optimistic about the Donald Trump administration. Trump is set to take office in a few weeks.
“It will be interesting to see how it is different because of his business acumen,” said Cameron County Commissioner Lori Reed. “We may see some relaxation of regulations, and it would be nice to see them eased for small businesses.”
Kefover echoed those statements, saying, “I hope to see less regulation that is really strapping businesses today.”
Commissioner Phil Jones stated that he hopes to see efforts to keep businesses in the U.S. and make things more equitable for companies that stay here and employ American workers.
“We’ll just have to wait and see. We need funding to run the many mandated programs, and we need state and federal funding or we have to raise the money ourselves, through taxes,” said Reed.
“There are now Republican majorities here and at the county level in many places, and at the state and federal levels. Maybe a Republican chief executive can create a stronger relationship between the governmental entities,” said Heimel.
