UNIVERSITY PARK – Participants who attended the recent Community and Economic Development Summer Institute came from across the country to discuss pressing issues facing their communities, and to learn from the experiences of the citizens and organizations in two local communities, Clearfield and Philipsburg.
Several organizations within those communities were hosts to the visitors for a full day that included stops at the Bionol Clearfield plant, the Clearfield Firemen’s Commerce Park, and The Philips Hotel and 1921 Restaurant. Conference participants received presentations on these sites and the Clearfield, DuBois and Philipsburg Main Street programs. The presentations and discussion focused on specific economic development initiatives in the area.
The annual three-day Community and Economic Development (CEDEV) Summer Institute, sponsored by Penn State’s CEDEV Graduate Program, brings together community and economic development practitioners, concerned citizens, CEDEV graduate students, and Penn State faculty annually for a collaborative experience to examine critical issues in community development.
Participants from several states attended the institute this year, and took part in the educational trip to Clearfield and Philipsburg to learn about the community and economic development success stories within these communities. “I absolutely loved the entire learning experience,” said one community development practitioner.
The local organizations that served as hosts and shared their knowledge and experiences with the visitors included The Clearfield Foundation, Clearfield County Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce of Clearfield, Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership, Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, Clearfield County Planning & Community Development Office, and the Clearfield County Tourism & Recreation Authority.
The summer institute also included presentations and discussions from Penn State faculty and community and economic development practitioners, including Deborah Markley, managing director and director of research, from the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.
To learn more about the Penn State CEDEV Summer Institute or the Graduate Program, please visit http://cedev.aers.psu.edu or contact Julie Burk at 814-863-5884.