The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on economic development, environment & tourism in April. The day started at Domtar in Johnsonburg with a tour of the facility. Participants learned about the history of the mill and its importance to the global economy and local conservation efforts.

After Domtar, they traveled to St. Marys to tour Straub Brewery and hear about how the Brewery benefits many local businesses and is a main tourist destination for visitors to the region. The participants then enjoyed lunch in the Straub Taproom which was sponsored by Straub. After lunch they headed to the Recycling Center where Bekki Titchner provided the group with some statistics about recycling. The recycling center tour was during open hours so the participants got to see first-hand all the hard work that the volunteers do.

One participant stated, “I wasn’t aware of all the things the recycling center does”.The afternoon was spent at the new Community & Economic Development Center of Elk & Cameron Co. First the group heard from Amy Shields with AHUG (Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group) who gave a presentation on the statics of the hardwood & softwood in our area and what it is used for. The second part of the afternoon was a talk by Eric Wolfe, President & Founder of MEEA & President, Horizon Technologies about economic development in the region.

He talked to the group about the importance of collaboration among municipalities and community leaders and the studies done in our region about economic development. One participant commented, “There are so many opportunities for engagement with the region.

The Civic readiness portion of this program is a great attribute as it continues to promote the various opportunities that exist”.The objectives of Leadership Elk & Cameron are to provide community awareness, facilitate networking and relationship building, and to spark civic readiness to help direct the future of our communities.

The Community Education Center is accepting applications for the next class. For more information, please visit www.communityedcenter.com or call the CEC at (814) 781-3437.