Clarion County Connect Launches to Drive Community-Centric Economic Development
Clarion County, PA – [September 12, 2024] – The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) has announced the official launch of Clarion County Connect, a local initiative dedicated to revitalizing and advancing economic development across Clarion County. By leveraging the unique characteristics and strengths of each community, Clarion County Connect’s place-based approach is focused upon improving the quality of life for residents and fostering sustainable growth.
The core mission of Clarion County Connect is to synchronize action and investment, paving the way for impactful, long-term improvements across Clarion County. The initiative is built on the principle that genuine and effective development must start from within, guided by those who understand their community’s unique landscape and potential.
CCEDC Executive Director, Jarred Heuer, spoke about the importance of initiatives like Connect, particularly for rural communities. “Economic development is more than job-creation. Focusing on the development of our communities is significant, particularly for places that face population decline.”
A major hurdle for rural communities is lack of capacity. CCEDC’s Community Development Coordinator, Eric Funk Jr., will be positioned as a key resource for local communities and municipalities. With work already underway for downtown revitalization, Funk will coordinate directly with local community stakeholders to understand their challenges, create partnerships, and drive solution-oriented development.
“Clarion County has so many amazing amenities that are not fully capitalized upon,” said Funk. “Our Main Street Corridors are the heartbeat of our rural county. With redevelopment, intentional placemaking, historic preservation, entrepreneurship, and housing being some of the areas Connect will address, the possibilities are exciting!”
Clarion County Connect is designed to address the specific challenges faced by communities within Clarion County. By employing a place-based strategy, the initiative ensures that development efforts are not only tailored to the distinct needs of each area but also driven by the voices of local leaders and stakeholders. This bottom-up approach emphasizes coordination and collaboration, enabling communities to leverage their individual assets and characteristics as a foundation for progress. Challenges like housing, blight remediation, and main street revitalization will serve as focuses for Clarion County Connect.
For more information about Clarion County Connect, contact the CCEDC office at 814-226-9045.
About the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC):
The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and development in Clarion County. The CCEDC supports a range of industry sectors including energy, manufacturing, food and beverage, logistics, and tourism to promote opportunities within the county. Through various initiatives and partnerships, CCEDC aims to create a thriving business environment and improve the quality of life for all residents and business owners. For more information, please visit www.clarioncountyedc.com.