Renaissance in Coudersport

With just three weeks remaining before more than 500 jobs vanish in Coudersport, a consulting firm has come aboard to coordinate the many-faceted recovery effort that has been launched by a variety of local leaders.

"We need the people, we need the skills and we need the connections," said Doug Morley, chairman of the Potter County Redevelopment Authority. "And we only have one chance to get it right."

Morley shared the information with Endeavor News on the heels of a Workforce Investment Board meeting he attended, during which Renaissance Partners LLC of Pittsburgh was recruited.

That company, hired by Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission, will tie together all of the efforts being made to attract employers who could take advantage of a pool of skilled workers cut loose when Time Warner shuts down most of its Coudersport operations.

"The Redevelopment Authority and several other organizations and public officials have been involved and will remain involved," Morley emphasized. "We seem to be scrambling and everyone certainly means well. With Renaissance Partners, we'll have some qualified people in place to tie it all together."

Morley encourages anyone who has suggestions on potential employer leads or other information that might help Renaissance Partners promote the area to contact Joe Pagano of the Redevelopment Authority at 274-7031.