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 - For the past five years the City of Lock Haven has been planning the development of a business park at the William T. Piper Memorial 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 available for a business locating in a KOZ including waiving all real estate taxes and the exemption from state Sales and Use Tax for purchases used and consumed by a business in the KOZ. These exemptions remain in effect until December 31, 2013. Plans are underway to construct a roadway at the Airport Business Park. 

Commercial Revolving Loan/Grant Program - 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. 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. 

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, 2002, the Lock Haven University SBDC provided 3,676.50 hours of consulting to 207 clients. The total consulting hours in 2002 increased 4% over the same period in 2001. Thirty-four training seminars were held with 472 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 2,608 phone calls, 243 e-mails, and received 1,671 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 consultants, 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 42 clients who were successful in obtaining loan financing in the amount of $4,612,272 during the period from January 1, through December 31, 2002. 

Fiber Communication Network - Keystone Commuity Network, a local nonprofit community internet service provider, was formed in 1995, and currently has an estimated 5,000 subscribers to its Internet service. 

Housing 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 91 single family, owner-occupied homes 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 2002, the City has been able to assist 22 families with closing cost assist toward the purchase of their home. 

Weatherization Program - Step, Inc. administers the Weatherization Program to assist families in the City of Lock Haven, and all of Clinton County. As natural gas, electric and home heating oil costs continued to rise during 2002, low-income families continued to spend a disproportional amount of their incomes on home energy costs. Typically, these families spend 14%, or 4 times the amount non-low income families spend on energy costs. Weatherization helped to reduce the burden of energy costs to low-income families, many who have members that are elderly or small children. 

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 school programming. Some of the Community Policing Activities included: · Facilitation of the D.A.R.E. Program in elementary schools in the city. · Assisting in the organization of Crime Watch Program at the Clinton County Housing Authority and the Lock Haven Gardens for the residents of the housing complexes. Approximately 10 to 12 residents are involved. 

Capital Improvements - Recreation - Hoberman Park - Hoberman Park is considered a neighborhood park easily accessible to the surrounding neighborhood, and geographically centered with safe walking and bike access. The facilities/amenities provided at Hoberman Park include: tennis courts, a basketball court, multi-purpose court, ball field, playground, and off-street parking area. In 1996, a Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan was prepared by Recreation and Planning Associates, Lancaster, in association with DePallo Design & Planning, Conshohocken. The Facility Inventory section of the Recreation Plan identified Hoberman Park as being in very poor condition, however, it had the potential to be a great park with some effort. Since 1996, the City completed some of the needed improvements identified for Hoberman Park, including the resurfacing of the basketball court and the installation of new backboards, the installation of a new pavilion, new concession stand and paved walkways for ADA and new lighting along the walkway. In 2002 the City applied for funding through the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for new playground equipment and the creation of a skate park at Hoberman Park. 

Capital Improvements - Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project - In 2002 the City began Phase II of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project along one block of Bellefonte Avenue. The streetscape improvements included: new curbing, brick sidewalks, decorative low mounted street lighting, new trees, new meters, storm sewer inlet repairs and an 8" water main. 

Main Street Program - In 1997, with the support of City government, the Lock Haven Vitalization Team (LHVT) was established whose purpose is to "enhance the City of Lock Haven by implementing progressive ideas to vitalize the community." Early in the formation of this organization the City along with the business community began discussing the need for a Master Plan for Downtown Lock Haven to develop a strategy for the future of the downtown. In 1999 this plan was completed and recommended the need to organize the community more effectively to carry out the many public-private tasks called for in the plan. The wheels were set in motion by the formation of the Lock Haven Vitalization Team, however, if this Plan was to work, a much broader community-based organization needed to be formed to ensure that the goals and objectives recommended in the Master Plan were implemented. In 2002 the Lock Haven Vitalization Team amended its by-laws and established a new Board of Directors whose representation includes retail, service and professional businesses as well as representation from Lock Haven University and the Clinton County Economic Partnership. 

River Theater - The City of Lock Haven sponsors a series of summer concerts at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater on East Water Street every Sunday evening from 6:00 P. M. to 9:00 P.M. from the end of May through the end of August. Additional concerts are held at Triangle Park on most Friday during the summer from 6:00 P. M. to 8:00 P.M. beginning in June and concluding in September. 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. 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. 

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. 

Health Literacy Program - The Health Literacy Program administered by the Central Intermediate Unit Development Center for Adults was developed in the fall of 2002 and a new series of Continuing Education courses is being offered this spring 2003. The course offerings include Understanding the Literacy Problem, Assessing Your Patient's/Client's Literacy Skills, Communicating Your Message, Teaching with Technology, and Navigating the National Institute for Literacy's Health Literacy Web site. 

West Branch Technology Center Renovation Project - Renovations are planned for the front hall entrance to the CIU West Branch Technology Center. 

Student Advocate Program - As previously reported, the Keystone Central School District received a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant 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. Since the last reporting period the two middle schools have consolidated and the after school learning center is now operating at the new Central Mountain Middle School. Programming and activities are offered to at-risk middle school students and their families. We are continuing to provide a security presence at the learning center. 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. Additionally, the District will be receiving funding under a Community Service Grant to hire an individual to coordinate community service activities for students in grades 7-12 that have been suspended from school. Local service agencies will be involved as sites for theses students. 

Ross Library HVAC Project - The Annie Halenbake Ross Library, located at 232 West Main Street, is the main library for the residents of the City of Lock Haven. The heating, ventilating, air conditioning system is 23 years old. HVAC Upgrade Project will replace a heating, ventilating and cooling system (HVAC) to provide a safe and favorable environment for the patrons of the library. 

Health and Human Services Parents and Children Together Program - The PACT Parenting Program of the Infant Development Program continues to provide education services to parents of children birth to early elementary age. These classes are provided in the center and the families' homes. Classes are also being provided to parents of teenagers at Keystone Central School District. A grant from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency has been acquired to expand and enhance these classes. 

Safe Child / Legal Advocate Program - The Safe Child/Legal Advocate Program administered by the Clinton County Women's Center continues to serve victims from our local communities. During 2002 we served 136 sexual assault victims with 1,730 hours counseling and 478 domestic violence victims with 4,930 hours counseling. 

Expanded Child Care Program - Enterprise Community funding made possible the establishment of school based before and after school child care programs including full day summer programs and expanded access to preschool child care services for income eligible families in Lock Haven. The services made possible by this grant are still operating today, providing needed child care to the community. School age programs are located in two of the elementary schools with one site providing service to a third city elementary school. The expanded preschool service continues to thrive at the Lock Haven Child Care Center. Enrollment is approaching 90 children, nearly double what it was at the time this grant became available. The program is at capacity. 

Social Service Assistance Program (SSAP) - Step continues to utilize strategies gained from the successful Intensive Case Management Program (ICMP) in addressing demonstrated barriers to individual/family self-sufficiency. Staff continues to partner with other social service and workforce development agencies to address emerging self-sufficiency needs of the community. SSAP is utilizing the ICMP model to address the comprehensive needs expressed by Program participants in Western Clinton County. 

Home Chore Program - The Clinton County CareerLink Comprehensive Youth Services no longer offers a Home Chore Program due to lack of funding. However, the agency does offer a youth program, funded by WIA, which has a Community Service/Volunteer component. The community service projects are organized by a Youth Program Manager, and only youth enrolled in the WIA program participate.

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