This Week in Danville...
September 22 - September 28, 2019
NEWS RELEASE:
MONTOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEVELOP PLAN TO FUND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Montour County Commissioners, working in conjunction with leadership and boards of the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (CMVB), have developed a plan to ensure the ongoing funding of MARC, including operation of the Montour Preserve and maintenance of the Hess Recreation Area, Robbins Trail, North Branch Canal Trail, Hopewell Park, and other outdoor recreation operations. The proposed plan will increase the county hotel room tax from 3% to 5% effective as of January 1, 2020. 

Ken Holdren, Chairman of the Montour County Commissioners, said “Montour County is thrilled that this plan will ensure the continued growth of recreation opportunities in the county to service its citizens and draw outside visitors while at the same time, not increase the tax burden for Montour County citizens.”

Act 18, as enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and signed by Governor Tom Wolf on April 20, 2016, provides the legal authority for the proposed tax increase. Of the counties statewide that have been affected by the new legislature, roughly two-thirds have elected to increase the tax in their respective counties.

Outdoor recreation is one of the major keys to creating an environment that encourages travelers to visit a location. Historically, outdoor recreation has been one of the top two reasons people travel to the Columbia-Montour region.

MARC has worked since 2005 to create, maintain, and protect parks and outdoor recreational opportunities in Montour County, including the Montour Preserve. Bob Stoudt, Director of MARC, stated “it has been a constant struggle to find the funding needed to fulfill our mission and the proposed plan to increase the Montour County hotel room tax rate to support MARC’s operations will be a game-changer for our organization and for parks and trails in Montour County. This plan will fundamentally refocus our efforts from struggling to exist to building the next generation of outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to Montour County. MARC is sincerely grateful for the support of the Montour County Commissioners, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and the many supporters who have advocated on behalf of the long-term stewardship of parks and trails in Montour County.”

According to Otto Kurecian, Executive Director of the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, the CMVB’s philosophy is circular and simple. If you build a place people want to visit, you’ll build a place where people want to live. Build a place where people want to live, and you’ll build a place where people want to work. Build a place where people want to work, and you’ll build a place where business has to be. Build a place where business has to be, and you’ll build a place where people have to visit. “I personally believe a progressive parks and recreational system is a crucial element to the economic viability of our region,” Kurecian remarked.

The Visitors Bureau believes that tourism is critical to the economic well-being of the region and will continue to market, promote and support the local communities. In 2017 (most recent figures), visitor spending in Columbia & Montour Counties equaled $265.6 million, representing a 6.8% increase from the previous year. The 2017 spending figure also set an all-time record high for the counties. The tourism industry currently employs 2,276 people in the two counties, and generates $24.9 million in state and local taxes each year.

THANK YOU TO THE MONTOUR COUNTY COMISSIONERS & COLUMBIA MONTOUR VISITORS BUREAU FOR HELPING TO SAVE THIS PILLAR IN OUR COMMUNITY
Geisinger Offering Diabetic Prevention Program

Geisinger health and wellness is offering a 12-month program for anyone with prediabetes or at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This interactive group is open to the public and offered at no-cost. Participants 18 years or older meet once a week starting on Monday, October 14 th , to learn how to improve their health by making healthy lifestyle changes. Caregivers, friends and family are welcome to attend. 

Please call Geisinger health and wellness
department to register at 866-415-7138.
 
Location:   Danville Area Community Center, 1 Liberty St.,
Danville, PA 17821
Dates:  starts on Monday, October 14th 
Time:    9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Mill Street Clean-Up Day
The Danville Business Alliance and its committees is enlisting the help of GTI - Green Thumb Industries to show our downtown some love in the upcoming weeks. On Friday, October 4th, beginning at Noon we will be working together to clean-up Mill Street. Our goal is to keep Mill Street a beautiful place to stay, eat, shop, play, and of course, live.

Volunteers will be performing a variety of tasks including
sweeping, weeding, and clearing sidewalks of litter and every day debris.

 Interested in joining us to support this great cause?

We are in need of volunteers and
donations ( brooms, dustpans, and garbage bags).

A Message from the Borough
The First Step Workshop

October 16 or November 13
Do you ask questions like:

How do I turn my good idea into a successful business?
What kind of forms and licenses do I need?
What are my business legal structure options?
How do I hire employees?

The First Step to business success is to learn the answers to these questions by attending a SBDC workshop!
Community Businesses Join Forces to Preserve the Preserve

Hawkins Chevrolet, Resurrection Movement Studio, Danville Health Alliance, & Danville Business Alliance have collaborated to host a fun Halloween-themed, family-friendly event, on Saturday, October 26,
10 a - 2 p at Hawkins Chevrolet to benefit the Montour Preserve.

Thank you to the local businesses sponsoring this event:

Trunk Sponsors
Kiddie Korner, Triple Play Sporting Goods

Pet Costume Contest Sponsor
Clark's Ag & Pet Center

Interested in being featured in our weekly newsletter?
Send your story to dba.visitdanvillepa@gmail.com .
SAVE THE DATE

Ferry Street Growers Market
Saturdays, May 18 - November 23, 8 a.m. - noon

Mill Street Clean-Up
October 4, noon-2 p.m.

Geisinger Diabetic Prevention Program
October 14, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Danville Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 24, 7 p.m.
Rain Date: October 27, 3 p.m.

Family Film Night at The Booth Theater
showing Hocus Pocus
presented by the Danville Arts Council
Friday, October 25, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 26, 2 p.m.

Trunk-or-Treat at Hawkins Chevrolet:
Preserve the Preserve
October 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Danville Primary School Trunk-or-Treat
October 30, 5-6:30 p.m.

Works in Progress by Bob McCormick
Gallery Reception
Thursday, November 14, 6-8 p.m.

Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 23, 5-9 p.m.
Sunday, November 24, noon - 5 p.m.

Welcome, Santa! Parade
November 29, 6 p.m.

Carriage Rides
November 23, 5-9 p.m.
December 8, noon - 4 p.m.
December 14, 5-8 p.m.

Hometown Holiday Celebration
Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8
Calendar of Events Coming Soon!
Hosting an event? Running a sale or special promotion?
Please let us know about your upcoming events and we will
share your information on our website and social media.
Simply reply to this e-mail and provide details.