SMETHPORT — Ta Brant Enos, executive director of the Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, spoke about developing area tourism in this 12-county region and its economic benefits Wednesday at the annual dinner meeting of the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Pa. Wilds covers 46 million acres in the north central part of the state, including Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties, home to 27 state parks, Allegheny National Forest, thousands of miles of trails and the largest elk herd in the Northeast.
"Visitors come here to get outside and enjoy visiting the largest elk herd in the Northeast and the dark skies in Potter County are perfect for astronomers," Enos said during her program.
The Pennsylvania cabinet departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Community and Economic Development have partnered in investing money in the Wilds' tourism initiative, and it has resulted in impressive numbers. In the last six years, annual visitor spending has increased by 41.9 percent and tourism employment has grown by 16.7 percent.
"These numbers are good news for us who live here, but they only tell part of the story since they also point to our quality of life," Enos said.
"A strong artisans' community is alive in the Pa. Wilds," Enos said, adding, "the Wilds Cooperative of Pa., a program of our Center for Entrepreneurship, is seeking products from local juried artisans to be stocked in the Kinzua Bridge State Park gift shop. We'd love to see Smethport businesses in the Pa. Wilds Cooperative since Smethport is the gateway to this state park."
Ferlin Patrick of GROW, an economic development organization that is a spinoff of the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce, spoke about Free Enterprise Week, which sponsored three Smethport Area High School students to attend this week-long program.
"Free Enterprise Week traces its roots to 1979 in Erie County when business became frustrated with young people's understanding of our free enterprise system," Patrick noted.
"Free Enterprise Week teaches high school sophomores and juniors about free enterprise by having them work in teams as they develop their imaginary companies and products and create their own marketing and advertising campaigns as they play the roles of senior management. They then compete with other teams in the same industry," Patrick added.
"At the beginning, the teams receive only colored markers, paper and tape to plan their company and products, so they must be creative."
Leaders from various companies addressed the students throughout the week.
Winners of the competitions were rewarded with shares of stock in real companies that pay dividends.
Patrick introduced the three Smethport Area High School students who attended the 2015 FEW: Adrienne Nannen, Stone Page and Shania Anderson.
Adrienne thanked Zippo and the Smethport chamber for sponsoring her attendance at FEW. "For me, the favorite part of the week was learning from the speakers because their remarks provided an insight into a future career. I have a good feeling about the future."
In his remarks, Stone said,” In addition to learning about our free enterprise system, I met 19 people on my team who have become my best friends."
Has Free Enterprise Week been successful? Surveys of those students who have attended this this program show that more than 90 percent say it has helped in career choices and think the sponsors' money has been well spent.
Smethport Area High School wrestling coach Marshall Shunk introduced Jimmy Duffy who received an award from the chamber. "Jimmy is the first Smethport wrestler ever to reach the state finals, and he did it twice. Last year, he was third in his weight class, and this year won second place and a silver medal in the same weight class, 145 pounds, probably the toughest class."
After compiling a 35-0 record, Jimmy lost 3-1 to an opponent who was undefeated for two years. Even though he was hurt at states, he never told anyone, never had an excuse."
The chamber presented Jimmy with commemorative coins.
Nathan Muller was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award. A Vietnam era Marine, Muller has served the chamber as president, vice-president, secretary and director. He also manages the organization's website.
The Smethport Rotary Club was named Service Group of the Year. Founded in 1938, the Rotarians have supported the Smethport Memorial Recreational Center, sports boosters, Christian Community Services food pantry and numerous other community projects. This club has also contributed to Rotary International's campaign to eradicate polio, which is now found in just two countries.
Rotary Club President Phil Smith accepted the award on behalf of the membership.
The Corner Bistro and Pizza Company is this year's winner of the Business of the Year. Ross Porter, who introduced Riki Tanaka, company owner, said this business, with its varied menu, filled the void left by the fire that destroyed the Cottage House.
The chamber filled two vacancies on the board of directors with the appointments of Heidi Scrivo-Passmore and Les Jordan Jr.
Chamber Vice-President Megan Simms served as mistress of ceremonies for this dinner that was held at the Court of Angels.
