CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, the local 501(c)3 spearheading the downtown revitalization movement, was recently awarded entry to the Pennsylvania Main Street Manager Program.
The CRC is excited to announce that Kellie Truman has been selected as Clearfield’s Main Street Manager. The CRC has worked diligently through the process of finding a manager for the last two months. There were many qualified applicants, however the CRC Board of Directors along with Bill Fontana and Rick Viglione of the PA Downtown Center, determined Truman was the best candidate for the position in Clearfield.
“Kellie earned this job on her own merits. Many of the applicants were well qualified. But in the final interview, in front of ten Board of Directors and the officials from the PA Downtown Center, it was obvious that Kellie captured our attention more than any other candidate. Kellie clearly researched the PA Downtown Center and the Main Street Program. She followed the visioning process by the PA Downtown Center and planning process by Mullin and Lonergan which have occurred in downtown Clearfield over the last year. Kellie demonstrated a keen knowledge of what this manager will need to do on a daily basis, the difference between a manager and a Main Street Manager, and also a true passion for being part of making downtown Clearfield a better place for all of us. Kellie was not just looking for a job—she wanted this job. But with that being said, we all know this is where the real work begins,” noted Keely Casteel, president of the CRC.
Truman was raised in Clearfield and has a strong marketing background that has been built not only on a B.S. in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh, but also the real-world experience as an account executive with Gant Media in Clearfield. Most recently, Truman was the marketing director for Miller Brothers Furniture of Falls Creek.
The mission of the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation is to lead the revitalization of the All-American people, places and spirit of downtown Clearfield through the Four Point Approach of Main Street: Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring. Each point of Main Street has a subcommittee that leads their respective function. Even without a manager, the CRC has been very active this past year. Trish Kavelak has lead the Promotion Subcommittee in the Clearfield County Fair parade and also successfully organized this year’s ‘Fall in Love with Clearfield’ event that encouraged downtown businesses to decorate for the fall season.
The Design Subcommittee, lead by Katie Miknis, has been working for the past several months to develop a Design Challenge Grant Program. This program will allow downtown Clearfield businesses to tap into funds to improve their facades. More information will be available about this program next month. As part of her managerial duties, Truman will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of the subcommittees and delivering their results to the public.
The new streetscapes and increased downtown community activity in DuBois and Philipsburg are local examples of the Main Street Program working effectively. In the 1980’s, Clearfield participated in the Main Street Program under the direction of Peggy Fravel and Dan Fishbone. The results are still apparent in downtown Clearfield with the decorative streetlights, brick sidewalks and trees along Market and South Second Streets. This effort has been further capitalized upon by the current improvements on Third Street. The grants for this most recent project were secured by Mayor Patty Gilliland, Pam Peters and Bill Armstrong. It bears mentioning, grants do not happen over night; they require a lot of time and effort that can take up to three years to come to fruition.
Similarly, revitalization is a process. The experts say it takes at least ten years. Bill Fontana, executive director of the PA Downtown Center, stated that in 1980, Harrisburg was the second most distressed city in the USA. Now it is in the top 10 cities that are thriving. Moreover, the PA Downtown Center has released the following: “Revitalization activities, such as Main Street and Elm Street, are the smartest strategies for investing in communities and the economic figures reflect this. In 2008, Main Street programs across the commonwealth helped to create 787 net new businesses, 1,170 net new full-time equivalent jobs, 366 building improvements and construction projects, 135 public space improvements, and filled 274 vacant storefronts. Additionally, from the roughly $6 million invested by the commonwealth through the New Communities program, roughly $59 million was invested by the private sector. In total, Main Street programs across the commonwealth were responsible for helping to create $73.6 million in new investment. All of this happened while Pennsylvania’s economy was losing jobs, investments were down and businesses were forced to close.” With this in mind, the CRC simply wants to optimize opportunities that are readily available. The emerging alternative energy market, housing the county seat and a strong tourism sector are all unique economic assets Clearfield can and will improve upon.
The CRC sincerely thanks the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation, CNB Bank, Clearfield Bank and Trust Co., Northwest Savings Bank and First Commonwealth Bank who have all been founding contributors of the Main Street Program in Clearfield. The CRC also thanks the entire community for voicing their support of the revitalization efforts in downtown Clearfield. The CRC truly believes that organizations, businesses and residents working together will result in prosperity for Clearfield. The Main Street Manager Office will be independently operating in the law offices of James Naddeo and Linda Lewis at 207 East Market Street in downtown Clearfield.
All inquiries, comments, volunteer pledges and monetary donations may be mailed to: CRC, PO Box 75, Clearfield, PA 16830. Look for more information coming soon.
