Spending Like 'Wild'

Early results are in from the aggressive promotion of 13 area counties as the "Pennsylvania Wilds."

The State Commerce Department says tourist spending in the region has risen five percent since the Wilds campaign was launched two years ago.

At the program's foundation is a partnership of state agencies and local tourist promotion and economic development groups. Their mission is twofold: increasing the number of people spending money in the Pa. Wilds and supporting tourist-related businesses.

Ranked among the strongest attractions in the region are:

-the largest elk herd in the Northeast;

-hundreds of miles of backpacking trails, bike paths, trout fishing streams;

-some of the darkest skies in the East for star gazing.

Counties covered by the initiative are Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren.

State-owned land is a major component of the plan. About one-third of the region's 6 million acres is state forest land or state parks.

For its part, the state is committing millions of dollars to upgrade state parks, erect effective signs to guide visitors to popular attractions, and advertise the Pa. Wilds to potential tourists.

Four kiosks have been placed on Interstate 80, offering information about the region. Advertising is targeted at outdoor and trade shows, touring organizations such as AAA, snowmobilers and many other groups.

Other plans under consideration or development include: a gateway visitor center with lodging along I-80 at S.B. Elliott State Park; a wildlife viewing center at Sinnemahoning State Park; an

elk viewing center near Benezette in Elk County; cleanup of the acid mine drainage in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River; incentives to encourage the nature tourism and the development of locally made products; and a regional marketing partnership of the tourist promotion agencies in the 13-county area.