December 1999 marked five years and the halfway point for the Lock Haven Enterprise Community Initiative. Within the past five years the City has made significant achievements towards a stronger community. Enterprise Community funds have been used as a catalyst to bring about economic and community development improvements.

 At this time Lock Haven has accomplished 80% of the benchmarked goals and objectives of the strategic plan. Enterprise Community programs have assisted in the creation of 332 jobs, and $12.5 million in other federal, state and local funds has been leveraged for a variety of education, health and human service, housing, community and economic development programs.

The Enterprise Community Economic Development strategies were very successful. The proposed site for the Business Park at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport was designated as a Keystone Opportunity Zone, a State program that will provide tax advantages for businesses interested in locating there. In 1999, the Enterprise Community Commercial Revolving Loan Program provided $369,812 in loans to six businesses with a total project costs equaling $1,357,812. The Small Business Development Center at Lock Haven University provided 1,850 hours of consulting to 173 clients. Clients of the Small Business Development Center were approved for 32 loans totaling $3,321,377 in financing. Over $185,000 in federal, state and local funds were used to begin the River Walk Improvement Project. Thousands of residents and tourists came to the 1999 Summer Concert Series which included nine concerts at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater and Floating Stage, and 2 concerts at Triangle Park.

The City of Lock Haven's Housing Programs provided a variety of options for Enterprise Community residents. In 1999, 9 homes received housing rehabilitation grants and/or loan assistance in the City and 5 homes in adjoining municipalities received assistance. The Closing Cost Assistance Program served 11 families with a total of $25,431 to assist with the purchase of single family homes. Under the partnership with Susquehanna Valley Development Group, the City provided affordable housing to lower income families through the construction and sale of 6 new single family homes. The Mortgage Assistance Program provided $17,047 to assist 6 families with the purchase of single family homes.

Community oriented programs such as the Community Policing Program benefited from the grants and donations. In 1999, the Community Policing Program received a donation of a minivan from a Lock Haven car dealership. The program also was able to initiate the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in the elementary schools with a grant and training from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In 1999 the Community Policing Program also received a $75,000 Community Oriented Policing Grant from the U. S. Department of Justice.

In order to increase involvement in EC activities and to create an awareness of the many EC funded projects in the community, the Lock Haven Enterprise Community sponsored Community Days. This event succeeded in engaging more people in service and caring for the community's resources. Sponsored during National Volunteer Week and National Youth Service Days, this event brought over 500 residents into the community as they volunteered at 18 sites throughout the city. From April 16th to the 23rd volunteers raked leaves at area parks, and painted and cleaned nonprofit agencies.

 The Enterprise Community funded Health and Human Services Programs were very successful in assisting clients in attaining self-sufficiency. The Infant Development Program through the Parents and Children Together (P.A.C.T) Program witnessed a decrease in child abuse among clients and an improvement in the behavior of parents with their children. The Expanded Childcare Program, which provides before and after school care for Lock Haven children, experienced steady growth and served 123 children from 87 families. The availability of Enterprise Community funds, which provides a subsidy for childcare, has contributed substantially to the growth of the preschool program services offered at the Lock Haven Childcare Center. Making the transition from dependency to self-sufficiency has been a unique and personal experience for each of the 71 participants of the Intensive Case Management Program clients. In 1999, 55% of the Intensive Case Management Program clients obtained employment and 23% secured affordable living quarters.

 Education remains a key component of the Enterprise Community strategic plan. During 1999, enrollment in scheduled West Branch Technology Center classes totaled 428. In addition, customized training was provided to 1254 employees representing 143 businesses and organizations. Sixteen students from the Early Admissions Program at Lock Haven University were able to enroll in the University. The Alternative Education Program which was initiated in the 1997-1998 school year with Enterprise Community funding, has continued and has expanded for the 1999-2000 school year with funds from Keystone Central School District. The Alternative Education Program serves 34 students with discipline or learning problems. During the fall 1999 semester, enrollment in the Literacy Corp course reached 32 undergraduate students, the highest number of students ever enrolled in a single semester. During the fall 1999 the Literacy Corp course was upgraded to a web-enhanced format and was recognized as the first web-enhanced Literacy Corp course in Pennsylvania.

The strategies resulting from the Enterprise Community partnerships have generated jobs; provided business assistance and services; trained and educated youth and families; improved access to childcare and increased residents involvement and safety in their neighborhoods. Together the continued public and private partnerships developed through the Enterprise Community Initiative are leading to sustainable economic and community development for Lock Haven.

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