The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on economic development, environment & tourism in Cameron County. The day started at Embassy Powdered Metals with a tour of the facility.  After Embassy, they traveled to Emporium Hardwoods for a tour of their facility.  The participants then headed to Sarah Jane’s Art Studio where she gave a brief history of her studio and her own story of how she became a Cameron County resident.  While at Sarah Jane’s Art Studio the group enjoyed a delicious lunch from Uptown Girls sponsored by Emporium Hardwoods.  After lunch the group heard a presentation from The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship & The Lumber Heritage Region.

The afternoon was spent with a downtown walking tour of Emporium.  The group walked to the Court House and heard a brief history of the Court House.  Then the group walked to The Emporium Chamber and received a well-rounded tour of all the partners located inside the Chamber.  Next was a tour of The Hygrade Inn with a final destination at the Aroma Café where the group enjoyed a drink and met with their community improvement project groups.  The participants shared some great feedback from the day, including “it is inspiring to see what can be accomplished by the volunteers in a small town, it’s encouraging for my own town.” Another participant reflected “Emporium has a lot going on and they are trying to create more opportunities for tourism and businesses.  Civic minded people are pulling together for a good cause.”

For more information or to get involved in future Leadership Elk and Cameron sessions, please contact the CEC (814) 781-3437 or visit www.communityedcenter.com.