FOXBURG, Pa. (EYT) — Emlenton, Foxburg, and Parker Blueprint Communities are seeking volunteerism in their initiative to create sustainable communities in the region.

(Pictured above are core team members of the Emlenton, Foxburg, and Parker Blueprint Committee)

At a recent meeting of the Blueprint Communities, the core team members emphasized the importance of volunteerism.

Core Team Member Nancy Marano, Emlenton Borough Manager, explained to the attendees, “We need your help to make this happen. We have the natural assets. We have the opportunity to attract new businesses and develop our community.”

“We need the community to volunteer — to donate their time to create sustainable communities in our area.”

Emlenton, Foxburg, and Parker have been chosen as Pennsylvania Blueprint Communities.

Pennsylvania Blueprint Communities is a revitalization and leadership initiative that serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable communities in the region.

The initiative is based on sound local and regional planning that includes a clear vision for the community and a comprehensive strategy, as well as encouraging coordinated investments in targeted communities by public and private funders.

In order to reach this initiative, the community core team members developed four goals as follows:

Goal #1: Enhance Recreational Opportunities
Goal #2: Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Goal #3: Develop the Region as a Well-Known Destination for Raising a Family
Goal #4: Increase Culture/Heritage Events

Because of the area’s natural resources, recreational tourism is one area that can be promoted and developed as an economic opportunity for the communities.

Mike Vereb, Manager of The Foxburg Inn Hotel, emphasized
the area’s valuable resources, “We take for granted some of the best fishing in the world — Clarion River and the Allegheny River.”

“These natural resources are the valuable assets that our area is able to promote. We just need to find a way to give these local treasures the exposure needed to bring in new people, new businesses, and increase tourism in our region.”

Another area of that has been recognized as a tourism attraction for Foxburg is the cultural aspect.

John Soroka, Executive Director, Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts, said, “Foxburg has become a cultural tourist destination for thousands of people every year, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city.”

Soroka told the group that Pittsburgh Post Gazette, highlighted Foxburg as “a great place to visit all year long.”

The interest portrayed by the attendees of the Blueprint Communities meeting was encouraging to the core team members.

Deb Lutz, Vice President of Economic Development of Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism told exploreClarion.com, “We are encouraged by the comments and interest we received at tonight’s meeting. We are determined to make this initiative a reality, but it will be a process. We need community involvement.”

There are many areas that community members can donate their time. The core team is looking for individuals who are willing to offer skills in the following areas:

– Project planning
– Fund raising
– Grant writing
– Finance
– Legal
– Management
– Website management
– Data entry
– Clerical
– Phone calls
– PowerPoint development
– Business development
– Meeting facilitation
– Marketing
– Media relations
– Developing marketing tools
– Art and design
– Trail development
– Website development

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact one of the core team members listed below:

Deb Lutz, VP of Economic Development, Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism, Oil City, 814-677-3152, ext. 115

Kim Harris, Project Manager, Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism, Oil City, 814-677-3152, ext. 120

Judith Barrett, Venango County Regional Planning Executive Director, Franklin, Pa., 814-432-9681

Cindy Elder, AVP/Branch Manager, The Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, Emlenton, Pa., 814-867-1001

Mike Vereb, Manager, The Foxburg Inn Hotel, Foxburg, Pa., 724-659-3116

Nancy Marano, Emlenton Borough Manager, Emlenton, Pa., 724-867-8611

William R. McCall, Jr., Mayor, City of Parker, Pa., 724-399-0076

Marilyn S. McCall, Council Member, City of Parker, Pa., smallestcityusa@yahoo.com

John Soroka, Executive Director, Alleghemny RiverStone Center for the Arts, Foxburg, Pa., 724-659-3153

Lori R. Russell, Emlenton Borough Council, Emlenton, Pa., 724-333-3237