The commissioners of McKean, Potter and Cameron counties are looking for some folks with opinions on what they need to do better.
Five focus groups are planned for Oct. 29 and 30, two each in Smethport and Coudersport, and one in Emporium. The groups are to gather public input for a new comprehensive plan: Northern Pennsylvania Tri-County Comprehensive Plan, which will outline critical investments and initiatives for county staff and elected officials to pursue over the next 10 years.
McKean County Planning Director Jeremy Morey said Friday that these groups aren’t meant to be gripe sessions, but are a chance to talk about ideas for improvements.
Topics could cover a wide range, he said, suggesting “jobs, job creation, economic development, transportation or lack thereof including public transportation,” Morey said, “or housing, recreation, tourism. What can the county do better and what do we need to be focusing on for the next 10 years?”
The commissioners released a joint statement regarding the plan.
“We are committed to improving the quality and overall economic vitality of the region and value the direction this plan will provide as we invest in our future”, the commissioners said. “We encourage our residents and stakeholders to make their voices heard as we embark on this forward-thinking process.”
Morey gave a few specific examples of what types of problems the focus groups might hear.
“If it’s difficult for people to make it to a doctor’s appointment because of a lack of transportation,” he said. The county officials could consider if there was some change they could make in conjunction with the Area Transportation Authority, or just what they could do to make a difference.
“It could even be someone’s pet project,” Morey suggested, “like if someone is interested in bringing in more trails, which could be a benefit for (wellness) and for tourism.
“Or healthcare. Do we have OK healthcare here? Is there something the county can do, or someone we can partner with to expand opportunities?” Morey said.
“It is a whole gamut of topics,” he added.
The McKean County sessions will be held in Smethport at the 9-1-1 Center at 17175 Route 6. Both will be on Oct. 29, the first at 3 p.m. and the second at 5 p.m.
On Oct. 30, a session is scheduled at the Emporium Borough building, 421 N. Broad St., at 8:30 a.m.
At 1 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 30, sessions will be held at the Potter County Gunzburger office building, 1 N. Main St., Coudersport.
To participate in the hour-long sessions, residents must register. To confirm participation, citizens are asked to RSVP to Joe Passmore by email at joseph.passmore@mbakerintl.com or by phone at 717-221-2061 by Oct. 24.
Citizens will also be encouraged to complete an online community survey that will be available later this year. To be on the email distribution list or to receive a hardcopy in the mail, please contact Joe Passmore at joseph.passmore@mbakerintl.com or 717-221-2061.
The plan, funded in part through the North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission, began in August and will be completed in summer 2019.
