PORT ALLEGANY — The Port Allegany Area Economic Development Corporation invites individuals and local business owners to attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the borough building, at which time the group will consider organizing an area chamber of commerce.
Ron Orris, former executive director of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, will be the speaker.
This announcement came at a PAAEDC meeting Friday at Mick’s Diner, when Sherri Geary, director of economic development for McKean County, spoke about strategies to revitalize business districts, such as The Main Street Program, and how a chamber of commerce could work cooperatively with the program. She also mentioned various sources of funding.
At one time, Port Allegany did have a chamber of commerce. According to Joe DeMott, former mayor and county commissioner, “The PAAEDC, which is industrial oriented, serves the entire area of the school district.”
The Main Street program is community-based and aimed at revitalizing downtown areas and central business districts by improving those areas’ economies, images and appearances. Pointing to the importance of investing in the borough’s downtown, Geary said, “This program’s technical assistance is very valuable to small communities.”
However, applicants for grants should already have a detailed business plan prepared.
Geary also mentioned that the state agencies, such as the Department of Community and Economic Development, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as well as the McKean County Conservation District and the McKean County Redevelopment & Housing Authority are strong supporters of economic development.
In fact, she pointed to the business district façade projects that Smethport and Mount Jewett have done with DCED funding and community contributions.
It was announced that the Port Allegany Women’s Club is in favor of creating a chamber of commerce.
At the noon meeting, the participants decided on a plan of action that begins with developing a business plan and deciding whether to establish a hybrid organization by blending chamber of commerce principles with those of the National Main Street program.
Additional steps include seeking funding to support the organization and having Geary develop a job description for a part-time staff person for that organization.
