Governor Tom Wolf announced on Friday that several counties
operating under the yellow phase of his executive order to protect health and
safety during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will migrate to the
less-restrictive green phase beginning on Friday, May 29. The affected counties
are Potter, Cameron, McKean, Tioga, Elk, Clearfield, Warren, Jefferson,
Bradford, Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Lawrence, Montour, Snyder, Sullivan and
Venango.
More details will be announced next week. In the meantime, news service
PennLive has provided an informative summary. To access it, click here.
Three counties bordering Potter reported additional COVID-19
coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours. Another fatality was also reported.
Three more cases were confirmed in Lycoming County, which now had 155 cases and
nine deaths. There were four more confirmed cases in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.,
where the latest numbers are 74 cases and two fatalities. Three more cases were
reported in Clinton County, where the count is now 48 cases. A second death was
reported in Tioga County, where there have been 16 confirmed cases. No changes
were reported for McKean County, 11 cases and one fatality; Allegany, 44 cases
with two deaths; Elk, six cases; Potter, four cases; and Cameron, two cases.
Potter County Commissioners along with other agencies have
partnered to develop a broad range of resources to support businesses as they
cope with the COVID-19 coronavirus national emergency. Details of the
Revitalize Potter County initiative were released this week. Commissioners
Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel described it as “a collaborative
strategy to emerge from the pandemic with our economic foundation still in
place and a blueprint for community and economic development.” It is being
rolled out in four phases, the first of which has already been completed:
Phase 1: Develop resources for Potter County businesses.
Seek funding to provide grants and/or loans for businesses re-emerging from the
COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Establish a Revitalize Potter County work group
to develop strategies to ensure success.
Phase 2: Establish an information and referral clearinghouse
for local businesses seeking support. Integrate Revitalize Potter County with
the goals identified in the County Comprehensive Plan 2020-2029, and the
specific mission of Potter County Project 2025 – reversing the county’s
population loss and the steady increase in median age.
Phase 3: Administer a grant/loan program to assist local
businesses. Engage partners from the agricultural, tourism, commercial
business, manufacturing, education and other sectors for ongoing implementation
of business support initiatives. Identify agencies or organizations to carry
out priorities identified by the work group and partners.
Phase 4: Close out Revitalize Potter County.
Details on available resources for businesses affected by
the pandemic are available on the website, pottercountypa.net (click on
Community Development). More information is available from Potter County
Planning/GIS Director Will Hunt at 814-274-8290, extension 229, or by sending
an email to revitalize@pottercountypa.net..
Public access to the Gunzburger Building and Human Services
building remains by appointment only and protective measures are required. For
contact information and online options, click here.
