Although the funding and programs initiated under the Enterprise Community are nearing completion, the Lock Haven Enterprise Community is experiencing growth and expansion throughout the majority of the benchmark strategies outlined in the community’s strategic plan. Economic Development Airport Business Park - In 1996 the City began planning for the development of a business park at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport. In 1998, a feasibility study was completed by Mullin and Lonergan Associates, Inc., funded with EZP monies, to determine the feasibility of developing a business park on 24 acres on the south side of the airport.  The City was successful in securing a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise Program in 1999 to conduct an archaeological investigation of the site, prepare engineering design, marketing and technical assistance.  The Airport Business Park was designated as a Keystone Opportunity Zone in 1999.  Certain tax advantages are associated with developing at the Lock Haven Airport Business Park KOZ.  In addition to waiving all real estate taxes for a period beginning in 1999 and continuing for twelve years, a business located in the KOZ would also be exempt from state Sales and Use Tax for purchases used and consumed by a business in the KOZ, including the sales tax on certain materials, termed “building machinery and equipment: that are used pursuant to construction contract for a KOZ facility.”  In 2001, the State passed legislation which would allow the existing KOZ subzones to extend the time period for the exemptions, deductions and abatements or credits of the applicable local taxes in the City’s KOZ subzone from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2013.  In 2001 the City applied for this three year extension and received approval from the State.

Revolving Loan Program - The City of Lock Haven recognizes the need to improve employment opportunities in the community and to encourage economic development. Many younger people are leaving Lock Haven in search of employment and such a situation is unacceptable.  There is little area left for new development in the City so that emphasis must be placed on strengthening existing businesses and encouraging the rehabilitation of existing vacant structures for new business ventures.  In 1997 the City was awarded a $500,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand the City’s Commercial Revolving Loan Program. Loans are made for improvements to facades, interior renovations, additions, the purchase of land and buildings for expansion or start-up, the purchase and installation of machinery and capital equipment, working capital and payment of professional fees such as architects/engineers, surveyors, appraisers, accountants, attorneys, etc.  The maximum loan amount is (a) up to 50% participation of the total project for eligible costs; or (b) a maximum amount of $50,000; which ever is less.  The use of loan funds must be related to the creation or retention of jobs.  One full time job equivalent has to be created or retained for each $10,000 of revolving loan funds or fraction thereof. Equity will normally be 10% of the total project cost, as determined in the financial analysis on a case by case basis.  Equity may be ownership of the property or capital equipment in the case of existing firms, and in the case of new or start-up firms, equity must be in the form of cash.  Loans are made at or below market interest rates, simple interest, and may be as low as 3%.  The term of the loan is usually three years for working capital and five years for machinery and equipment and seven years for real estate.  The Lock Haven Area Enterprise Zone Committee establishes the rate and term and approves all loans. 

Home Chore Program - The Home Chore Program administered by Clinton County Career Link Comprehensive Youth Services program experienced a very successful year.  Working in collaboration with three other Counties, the agency received a Youth Services Title 1 Workforce Investment grant in the amount of $600,000 and another $75,000 in TANF funding to serve youth.  In addition, the office received $4,500 in cash and gift certificates from area businesses to support youth programming.  This allows the agency to continue their commitment initiated by the Enterprise Community funded Home Chore Program to serve at-risk youth by providing meaningful training and work experiences.

Small Business Development Center - The Lock Haven University Small Business Development Center provided technical consulting services to small businesses located in Clinton and Lycoming Counties.  During the period January 1, through December 31, 2001, the Lock Haven University SBDC provided 3,537.25 hours of consulting to 181 clients.  The total consulting hours in 2001 increased 41% over the same period in 2000.  Thirty-three training seminars were held with 338 attendees.  The seminars and presenters were evaluated using the SBA Participant Questionnaires and Course Evaluation forms. All seminars and presenters received positive evaluations.  The center responded to 1,538 phone calls, 187 e-mails, and received 1,276 hits to their web page for small business information.  The Lock Haven University SBDC is staffed with one full-time director, two full-time business consultant, one full-time training coordinator/administrative assistant, and a part-time business consultant.  The center employs three Lock Haven University students and outside consultants when the need arises.  The Lock Haven University Small Business Development Center provided business plan development support to 31 clients who were successful in obtaining loan financing in the amount of $4,541,555 during the period from January 1, through December 31, 2001.

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance - Because of the age of the City’s housing stock and the large number of owner-occupied units, the City has identified a need to improve and upgrade its housing stock through a comprehensive rehabilitation program.  The City of Lock Haven provides a 5% housing rehabilitation loan program available to qualifying low/moderate income families.  Low interest loans, not to exceed $8,500, are granted for up to 10 years.  Monthly payments are due on principal and interest. Since inception in 1987, the City has received $358,187 in loan and grant repayments, which was used to provide low interest loans to 90 single family, owner-occupied homes in the City of Lock Haven.  In 2001, the City assisted 3 lower income families with housing rehabilitation assistance.  The City will continue to utilize the housing rehabilitation revolving loan/grant funds to continue to improve and upgrade the housing stock in the City of Lock Haven.

Closing Cost Assistance - Utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds, the City provides closing cost assistance to qualifying low/moderate income first time home buyers. Families with incomes below 80% of median income are eligible to receive closing cost deferred loan assistance for the purchase of their first home which must be located in the City.  A first time homebuyer is defined as a household that has not owned a home during the previous three years.  The City will provide closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% deferred loan in an amount sufficient to cover normal closing costs. Between 1997 and 2001, the City has been able to assist 21 families with closing cost assist toward the purchase of their home.  In 2001, the City assisted 5 lower income families with closing cost assistance. In 2002, the City will be pursuing a Downpayment Assistance Program with local financial institutions whereby the City will guarantee five percent (5%) of the cost of the home up to a purchase price of $75,000.

Community Development Community Policing Program - The City of Lock Haven Police Department continues to provide a Community Policing to support the community and downtown businesses.  The Community Policing Officer has been very active in the elementary and middle school programming. Some of the Community Policing Activities included:

· Facilitation of the D.A.R.E. Program in elementary schools located in the City.

· Participation in the Camp Cadet Program as a counselor/advisor and presenter for the cadets. Forty (40) boys and 40 girls participated in the one-week program, which is provided to children between the ages of 11-14 years old.  This program is designed to provide an opportunity for cadets to get to know Law Enforcement officers on a personal basis, giving youth a better understanding of what law enforcement is all about.  Emphasis is placed on self-discipline, in an effort to encourage some form of regimentation in the personal lives of the cadets.

· Participation in a Drug Trends workshop, in conjunction with the Clinton County Drug and Alcohol Coordinator.  The workshop was held at Lock Haven City Hall and its purpose was to bring awareness to the community on the widespread availability of drugs in the community.  Representatives from various County Agencies, including Children and Youth and Probation, were represented at the workshop.

· Assisting in the organization of a Crime Watch Program at the Clinton County Housing Authority and Lock Haven Gardens for the residents of the housing complexes.  Approximately 6 to 12 residents participate in the Crime Watch Program.

River Theater - In 2001 the City of Lock Haven, with the financial assistance from local sponsors, presented 14 concerts at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater and Floating Stage and 8 concerts at Triangle Park.  The concerts at the Amphitheater took place every Sunday evening from 6:00 P. M. to 9:00 P.M. beginning May 27, 2001 and concluding on August 26, 2001.  The concerts held at Triangle Park were held on Friday evenings from 6:00 P. M. to 8:00 P.M. beginning June 8, 2001 and concluding on August 24, 2001.  The concerts featured a variety of musical offerings, including classic rock, Top 40, gospel, country, jazz, patriotic and big band to appeal to a wide variety of age groups.  All concerts were well received by the public, with attendance at most concerts exceeding five hundred persons.  It was estimated that the Billy Price concert held on June 10, 2001 drew 1,500 people, including an array of boats that surrounded the stage while anchored in the river and the Poptart Monkeys concert held on August 26, 2001 was widely received by many of the Lock Haven University students returning to school that weekend.  Overall, the City estimates that approximately 11,000 people enjoyed the 22 concerts that were presented in 2001.  The concerts were made possible through the generous financial contributions provided by the Clinton County Community Foundation, the Clinton County Commissioners, Lock Haven University and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.  Additional funding was provided by WBPZ/WSNU/The Mountain radio station, which solicited sponsors from the local business community. The City of Lock Haven also provides financial and in-kind contributions for the Summer Concert Program in the form of City staff time involved in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, booking each band, preparing press releases for each concert, providing oversight at each concert as well as setting up the electrical needs before each concert and clean-up after each concert. Bringing quality entertainment to City residents and the people of Clinton County was the main goal of the Lock Haven Summer Concert Program.  With its popularity growing, more and more people have attended the concert series as the word spreads throughout Clinton, Lycoming and Centre Counties.  In some cases, concert dates will be chosen to coincide with an event that is already scheduled, such as the Sentimental Journey Fly-In in June, Woodward Township’s Riverfest in July; and the return of the Lock Haven University students at the end of August.  

Education Literacy Corps Program - The Literacy Corps Program administered by the Central Intermediate Unit Development Center for Adults continues to operate successfully and was recognized as one of the most successful and long running Literacy Corps programs in Pennsylvania.  

Student Advocate Program - As previously reported, the Student Advocate Program continues to expand. The District received a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant last year through the U.S. Department of Education to establish Keystone Learning Centers, an extended learning program, at both Central Mountain Middle School East and West.  The Centers are now operational and have met with overwhelming success. Programming and activities are offered to at-risk middle school students and their families.  The school district is continuing to provide a security presence at each of the middle schools and high school.  Security officers are now assisting with truancy reduction efforts and work with the District Magistrates throughout the area.  Two of the officers are also trained as School Resource Officers.

Health and Human Services Parents and Children Together Program - Infant Development Program’s Parents and Children Together (PACT) Program continued to provide education services to parents of children birth to early elementary age.  These classes are provided in the center and in families’ homes.  Classes are also being offered to parents of teenagers at Keystone Central School District.

Safe Child / Legal Advocate Program - The Safe Child/Legal Advocate Project administered by the Clinton County Women’s Center continues to expand, offering a broader range of activities including a new parenting group and self-esteem workshop for clients.  Victim Empowerment Program - The Victim Empowerment Program also administered by the Clinton County Women’s Center has been combined with the Sexual Assualt Counseling program to offer enhanced services for the community.

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