CLARION – Clarion County had an opportunity Monday night to plan for the county’s future.
Representatives from Herbert, Rowland and Grubic of Cranberry Township conducted a meeting to gather input for an update to the county’s comprehensive plan.
County Commissioner Ted Tharan said the county has been working on the plan for the past several months.
“This is your wish list,” Tharan said. “Use your imagination.”
Tharan noted that the site of the meeting, the Clarion County Park, was the result of the county’s 2004 comprehensive plan.
“The current comprehensive plan was completed back in 2004 and should have been updated by now,” said Commissioner Ed Heasley. He said the plan should be updated every 10 years.
Heasley said the county received a $30,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The total cost of the plan is $62,700. The county’s share will be in-kind services.
“We are updating the plan not only because it is out of date but so it can be used as a working tool to guide the future of Clarion County by addressing today’s needs,” Heasley said.
He added that it is important that the plan be “unique” to the county and that it “identifies techniques and strategies” to meet the goals and objectives of the plan.
Commissioner Wayne Brosius said it is important for municipalities to have their plans included so they might access funding sources.
“This plan should be a road map,” said county Planner Kristi Amato. “I hope we can look back in 10 years and check off things we have accomplished.”
Laura Ludwig, a community planner with HRG, and Christina Sarson, a landscape architect with HRG, have met with numerous people and traveled across the county several times.
Ludwig said there are many unique qualities in Clarion County including the Clarion and Allegheny rivers, but that is not enough.
She said there is a “stigma” with being from Clarion.
“Many young people feel the need to move away to a larger area,” she said.
Ludwig said that in their preliminary visits people identified several needs including economic development, more tourism and the need to “attract and retain visitors and residents of all ages.”
“This is an open book,” she said. “What goes into it depends on you.”
Sarson set up a series of stations that allowed people to identify needs through a sticker system. The results will be reviewed and incorporated into the plan.
Ludwig said there would be additional meetings. She invited people who weren’t able to attend Monday’s meeting but want to have input into the plan to contact the county planning office.
Heasley said the plan will be completed by the end of the year.
