Beaver County Chamber Message: Our Rivers of Opportunity!
“Our rivers are the lifeblood of Beaver County” said one borough councilman recently. Whether economy or environment, transportation, sanitation, or recreation, it’s impossible to overstate the impact that Beaver County waterways have on our lifestyle and sense of place. Recent growth of the natural gas industry and significant demographic shifts have prompted lively conversations about maximizing the potential of our several riverfronts. At the Chamber, the Government Affairs committee acknowledges, “the rivers of Beaver County provide a unique opportunity to connect diverse communities, maximize economic development and enhance our quality of life” and, accordingly, has set out to entice entrepreneurs to the waterfront, support public access to streams and rivers, and advocate for protection of fragile and scenic river slopes.
Listening to local officials, Beaver County Regional Council of Governments (BCRCOG) made “rivers” a theme of its planning and educational offerings to community leaders in 2019 and helped launch RiverWise, a project of the Beaver County Partnership that encourages citizens to dream and engage in their development as river communities. To explore different aspects of river life, “COG” is proudly inviting the public to Rivers of Opportunity: 2019 Local Government Conference on July 31st and August 1st. This is the fifth year for their conference, a collaboration between Townships and Boroughs Associations with BCRCOG that now attracts leaders from business, education and the nonprofit sector. Topics for the conference are relevant to municipal government as well as anyone interested in the potential – and potential impacts – of change along our rivers. Willows Event Center, perched above Montgomery Lock & Dam in Industry, will make its Beaver County debut as a conference setting by hosting Rivers of Opportunity.
The conference opens on July 31st with an outdoor presentation about commercial and transportation concerns at dam-side, followed by presentations in Willows’ beautifully appointed conference rooms from regional experts on Combination Septic-Sewer Systems, Land Conservation Easements, Raingardens & Stormwater Management and the Trail Towns program implemented so successfully on the Mon River. Exhibitors span nonprofit recreational and environmental groups, municipal service providers and government agencies that fund or regulate riverfront activities. Register at www.bcrcog.org.
That evening, BCRCOG partners with the Chamber to bring the Gateway Clipper to our stretch of the Ohio River for a first-ever Legislative Dinner Cruise, launching from Rochester and open to members and the public. As they cruise, attendees will be treated to historical commentary and a panel discussion on river issues with legislators. Please register at the Chamber’s website www.BCChamber.com .
Continuing education for Tax Collectors and an all-new offering for Municipal Authorities both take place August 1st. That day, a stellar lineup of plenary speakers includes Boston-based urban planner Alan Mountjoy, who played a role in the renaissance of the Pittsburgh waterfront. Mark Wolinsky and Beth Dutton of 3 Rivers Wet Weather will address the issue of water quality. Lunch speaker August Carlino from Rivers of Steel will highlight Beaver County as a National Heritage Site. The concluding roundtable discussion among our speakers with Willows developer Chuck Betters will be facilitated by RiverWise Executive Director Daniel Rossi-Keen. We hope community leaders encourage their local government to participate and that officials invite their communities to share our Rivers of Opportunity!
This important community update is brought to you by Beaver Falls Municipal Authority, 1st Consultants, Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Gefsky, Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce, Skerlec Contracting, and NovaCare!