Potter County has been awarded a $100,000 state grant to support community and economic development through the arts. Potter was one of six successful applicants among 200 received by the Pa. Council on the Arts (PCA) for its Creative Communities Initiative. Recipients have demonstrated their ability to implement “placed-based projects with innovative and comprehensive approaches that address local challenges and opportunities.” PCA will provide $25,000 annually for four years to the Potter County Creative Council (PC3), a non-profit arts and culture organization founded in 2023. Funds will be used to make communities more vibrant and appealing for local residents and those seeking to relocate to a rural area. PC3 is relying on successful models from across the nation and a panel of rural development experts. All of the school districts in Potter County and many other partners and stakeholders have come aboard.
“PC3 will address the challenge of youth engagement and population loss by improving community vitality, promoting the county’s assets and providing opportunities for creative expression,” the state agency said in its funding announcement. “The project is rooted in deep community engagement and capitalizes on the Potter County’s unique creative assets to cultivate connectedness, livability, and economic development.”
Other grant recipients are Kane, Easton, Johnstown, Uniontown and Pittsburgh. Officials in Kane will hire an arts engagement coordinator to support public art, community festivals, and creative small businesses. According to PCA, the arts and cultural production accounted for more than $30 billion of the state’s economy in 2023 and supported more than 175,000 jobs.
Any Potter County military veteran or his/her surviving spouse who has been affected by last week’s flooding is encouraged to reach out to the Potter County Department of Veterans Services by calling 814-274-8290, option 8. Depending on the extent of damage and other circumstances, financial assistance may be available.
Those who have suffered major building catastrophic loss on their property in Potter County during last week’s flooding are advised to contact the Assessment Office so that their tax assessments can be adjusted accordingly. Without such notification, property owners may find that they are continuing to pay school district, municipal and county real estate tax on buildings that are no longer usable. Those who are aware of neighbors who were affected are asked to help spread the word. Chief Assessor Jake Ostrom advised those seeking more information to call 814-274-0517 or email jostrom@pottercountypa.net.
Freeman House in east Coudersport was the first major public housing project of the Potter County Housing Authority.
Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have filled vacancies on agencies that provide safe and affordable housing for the underprivileged and promote economic development. Ron Rapp, recently retired chief financial officer at UPMC Cole, was named to the Housing Authority. Steve Green, a retired environmental manager whose career spanned major industries, and involved interaction with public, government, regulatory and legal sectors, was appointed to the Redevelopment Authority. In recent years, Green has served as president and CEO of the Eliot Ness Museum in Coudersport. Rapp and Green are filling the unexpired terms of Ellen Russell, who served on both authorities.
Mission of the Potter County Housing Authority is to provide safe and affordable homes for low-income residents of Potter County (under the Pa. Housing Authorities Act of 1937, with modifications in 1970 and 1996). The agency operates a housing assistance program (rent subsidies) funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, PCHA operates two apartment complexes for low-income tenants, one in Ulysses (18 units) and the other in Galeton (15 units). Also, the authority has three apartment units for senior citizens or the disabled: Freeman House (Coudersport), Redwood Village (Galeton) and Honeoye Haven (Shinglehouse). Housing Authorities can, at their discretion, take on other initiatives to provide safe and affordable housing.
Meanwhile, the mission of the Potter County Redevelopment Authority is to encourage, support and facilitate economic development and community revitalization; eliminate blight and dangerous conditions; assist local businesses with obtaining the capital they need to invest and expand, and other activities as determined by its five appointees. Among the agency’s many projects over the years was the Truck-Lite manufacturing plant (see below) in the Coudersport Industrial Park, which was expanded in 2021.
Authority members are appointed by the commissioners. Each is an independent agency. Members are responsible for developing policies, initiatives and directives, direct supervision of managerial personnel, and accountability to the public. Service on the authority is voluntary with no compensation. Applicants for appointment are to be motivated by dedication to public service.
Potter County was in the national spotlight last weekend in Tampa, Fla., as recipient of two excellence awards by the National Assn. of Counties. Just six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties were recognized for excellence. Potter was the lone county among them to receive two awards. They are in recognition of “No Veteran Left Behind,” based on the launch of a Veterans Transportation Program; and “Revitalize Potter County,” a series of strategies to address population loss and outmigration of young adults, starting with the launch of the Potter County Creative Council. Summaries of the county’s award-winning initiatives were presented on the NACo website:
No Veteran Left Behind: Potter County is sparsely populated and remotely situated. There is little to no access to public transportation. Availability of health care is also limited. Among the most underserved residents are military veterans. There is no VA medical facility in the county. Many of the county’s veterans are senior citizens with low incomes who lack the means to access quality health care. In 2022, a coalition of veterans’ advocates embarked on a lofty mission – a transportation service dedicated solely to taking veterans to medical appointments. This team effort was coordinated by the Potter County Department of Human Services (PCHS), with support from the Potter County Commissioners, Potter County Director of Veterans Services, American Legion/VFW posts, and community supporters. Widespread support, appreciation and respect for military veterans, coupled with the judicious and innovative use of state and county funding, have made the Potter County Veterans Medical Transportation Program a reality. It is funded annually as a line item in Potter County’s Human Services Block Grant provided by the state. Local veterans’ advocates, community organizations, businesses and individuals support the service through fundraisers and outreach activities.
Revitalize Potter County: Potter County has been gutted by population loss, youth outmigration, a struggling economy, and a rising median age (47.4 years) that now hovers nearly 10 years above the national average (38.1). At the same time, COVID and social factors have been prompting many young families to pursue a rural lifestyle. Many are seeking affordable housing, high-speed internet access, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant communities. Potter County checks each of those boxes – with the exception of the latter. In 2022, a team of stakeholders spearheaded by the Potter County Board of Commissioners embarked on a strategic plan to revitalize the communities of Potter County with an intensive focus five core areas. Among them was developing arts and cultural activities. In 2023, this innovative mission bore fruit. An arts council that had been dormant for nearly a decade was revitalized. National and state arts/culture organizations provided support, while a broad cross-section of public officials, artisans, community leaders, volunteers, school administrators and other key stakeholders came aboard. “Revitalize Potter County” was off and running.
Progress continues on a proposal to establish an open-air retail center and gathering place on a vacant lot in downtown Coudersport. It’s a project of the Revitalize Potter County Steering Committee, comprised of the county Planning/Community Development/GIS Department and the County Commissioners. The site is a county-owned lot at the corner of East Second and North East streets. A $4,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team paid for the services of a landscape architect/engineer, who conducted a feasibility study and developed a conceptual design (above). Potter County later received a $41,400 state grant that can be used to help cover costs for construction of a plaza, pedestrian walkway and parking area; installation of utilities and interpretive signs; ADA access, landscaping, and other related site improvements.
Plans call for erection of multiple short-term rental spaces. Retail space would complement the Potter County Farmers Market, with occupants marketing agricultural goods, prepared food, locally crafted items or other products. The committee envisions the lot becoming a gathering place where live music and other entertainment or educational programs could be presented. Similar open-air markets could be developed in Galeton, Ulysses, Roulette and other Potter County towns. Community organizations, such as chambers of commerce, would be contacted to partner with the committee. Those holding festivals and other public attractions could offer previews, such as live music “teasers,” chainsaw carving demonstrations and other promotional activities, at the market. Visitors would be directed to businesses, attractions and events in the region.
Rentals would be available at low fees. The market village could serve as an incubator for new businesses. It would provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to “pilot” their business idea, without running the large risk associated with a storefront. Once the business proves to be successful, the hope is it would move into an empty storefront to help revitalize the business district.