The Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet was held September 23 at the Hotel Crittenden. Chamber president Stan Swank was master of ceremonies and introduced guest speaker John Wright from the Potter County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Mr. Wright spoke about an initiative to breathe new life into Coudersport's downtown shopping district by spearheading efforts to launch a community corporation. The corporation would focus on establishing a department store, likely in the former JC Penney space on Main Street. The community corporation would be modeled on the concept developed by a similar group in Powell, Wyoming. That group has opened "The Mercantile," a department store that serves their community with competitively-priced clothing and shoes.
Wright noted that it's a great opportunity for Coudersport to drive business back into the downtown. "We're going to have to do it or it's not going to get done," he said. "If the community pulls together and supports the effort, it can be a success," Wright noted. "This could be a great solution."
Details about the project will be available soon and the steering committee plans to have an informational booth at the Falling Leaves Festival on October 3 and 4 on the courthouse square.
Swank presented Helene Nawrocki with the Business Person of the Year award. Nawrocki has been executive director of the Potter County Educational Council since 1995. In addition to her duties with the Ed Council, Nawrocki is also a director for the Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Board, the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corporation and the Pennsylvania Wilds Agricultureal Heritage Alliance. She is a member of the Food Matrix, the Quilt Guild and the Herb Guild.
The Hotel Crittenden received the Business of the Year Award, recognizing the vital role the hotel on the corner of Main and Second Streets plays in the community.
Swank also recognized the efforts of Nancy Grupp and the youth group from the Coudersport Christian and Missionary Alliance Church for their efforts in maintaining the plantings in the downtown area.
