The Revitalize Potter County (RPC) Steering Committee will convene this week to review its early progress and develop its 2021 work plan. Committee members have initially focused on helping small businesses cope with the coronavirus pandemic. The group is also engaged with other elements of the economy – boosting agriculture, tourism, local manufacturing, job training and community development among them. RPC was launched in May by Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel as “a collaborative strategy to emerge from the pandemic with our economic foundation still in place and a blueprint for community and economic development.” They’ve assigned Planning Director Will Hunt and Community Development Director Ellen Russell to spearhead the initiative.
“We’re going through an unusual time and there’s a lot at stake when it comes to the future of Potter County,” Hunt explained during a meeting of the county commissioners. “We are identifying partners and we plan to make the ‘Revitalize’ project a high priority.” RPC directly supports the county’s Project 2025, an ambitious plan to reverse the trends of steady population loss and increasing median age across Potter County.
Team members have already begun research, outreach and strategic planning to promote local farm products and advocate for local growers and producers. They’ve been conferring with multiple farm operators, including organic growers, to broaden their knowledge and sharpen their focus. The RPC team is also pulling together partners to work on a blueprint to boost tourism in Potter County, working with Visit Potter/Tioga, local business owners and community leaders.
Here are some highlights from last month’s RPC meeting:
Year In Review
- Small Business/Entrepreneur Workshop; CARES Act small business grants; small business/school drop-off survey and mapping; launch of multi-functional Revitalize Potter County website (go to pottercountypa.net and click on Revitalize box in upper right corner); Project 2025 Kickoff.
Ongoing Working Initiatives
- Market Village. Architect’s rendering and proposed implementation plan for village at East Second/North East streets’ intersection in Coudersport to be shared with public. Officials from Tionesta Village will be invited to speak at meeting. Other communities in the county will be assessed for similar developments. See Nov. 27 posting below for details and sketches of the Market Village.
- Broadband Initiative. Survey (Potter/Tioga) underway; 213 Potter responses so far, being plotted on Revitalize Potter County website. Continue working on strategies to support expansion of services into underserved areas outside of Tri-Co Connections footprint. Support of school districts important due to remote learning demands.
- CDBG Small Business Grants. We hope to able to be able to repurpose the county’s $600K-plus Revolving Loan Fund to help small businesses cope with coronavirus impact.
Next Steps
- Coordinate Revitalize Potter County with other established agencies, notably the Potter County Housing/Redevelopment Authorities, Planning Commission, Potter County Education Council and community organizations. We all need to be on the same page and focused on the twin goals of Project 2025.
- Website needs to be further developed and promoted as the primary information source for Revitalize Potter County. We could also have a newsletter and other communication tools.
- Network with rural peers; investigate best practices across the U.S., and potentially engage professional consulting service to implement Revitalize Potter County. Some cost-free services are available.
- As the coronavirus pandemic fades, another Entrepreneurship/Small Business session may be held. Other assistance for small businesses will be investigated.
- A top priority is establishment of Work Groups. Those could include: Agriculture/Forest Products Work Group; Commercial/Economic Development; Tourism/Recreation; Arts & Culture; Education/Training, Broadband Expansion and Health Care. This remains a work-in-progress to be addressed at the December monthly meeting.
Anyone interested in sharing suggestions or comments can send an email to revitalize@pottercountypa.net or call 814-274-8290, extension 209.
