ALTOONA — A $30,000 government funding package is being made available to assist local municipalities in preparing for an influx of an expected 25,000 visitors annually to the Rock Run Recreation Area.
The state and federal funding is being funneled through the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. The money, which may include some in-kind services, will be used to hire a consultant to develop a community idea of how to meet visitors’ needs.
“There will be community meetings to develop a vision, what they want their community to look like once the park opens,” Fred Querry, a Southern Alleghenies’ assistant director, said Tuesday.
The sessions – targeted for late March – probably will be held in Northern Cambria, Patton, the Hastings/Carrolltown area and Coalport, he said.
The construction of 50 miles of trails is completed, and a park center near the entrance at St. Lawrence is under construction. The first phase of the multi-use park, in which the state has invested more than $5 million, will open this spring.
Northern Cambria county officials are expecting great things from the park, said Fran Filkins, director of the Northern Cambria Area Business Alliance.
“What Thunder in the Valley has done for Johnstown, Rock Run is going to do for our area, only this will be on a seasonal basis,” she said. “This will have a monumental impact on the area, and all of the response we’ve heard is very positive.”
Northern Cambria and southern Clearfield have to be ready to capitalize on the economic potential, Patton Mayor Steve Bakajza said. “My biggest concern is we have all of the people coming into Patton – and we get them to stop in Patton, not just pass through,” he said.
Local News
$30,000 to help plan for Rock Run
- Local News
-
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
