Community connection priority to being local
A host of seasonal events and activities offered in local and neighboring communities keeps residents of all ages connected with the history, culture and attractions the region has to offer.
Chambers of Commerce and tourism agencies in Fayette County, Waynesburg, Rostraver and the Mon-Valley function as service providers that partner with many local businesses and organizations to promote the community and strengthen the local economy.
A list of local events can be found on each chamber’s website.
According to Murial Nuttall, executive director of Fayette Chamber of Commerce, residents are able to invest in their community by not only supporting local businesses, but also by attending various events sponsored by the chamber and local organizations, including nonprofits.
She said the chamber receives thousands of requests each year for recommendations on goods or services provided in the county.
Some events are made possible in part by the chamber and county businesses that reinvest in the community’s social and environmental well-being.
Residents and visitors alike can engage in outdoor recreation at local parks and resorts year-round such as swimming, rafting, biking, hiking and skiing.
The Great Allegheny Passage extends beyond the county with 150 miles of hiking and biking between Cumberland, MD, and Pittsburgh.
In Ohiopyle, people can enjoy ice cream while watching the 20-foot falls or take part in whitewater rafting trips with Laurel Highlands Outdoor Center and River Tours, White Water Adventurers, or Ohiopyle Trading Post.
There’s also a new 11,500 square-foot visitor’s center. It also has exhibits of the park’s and region’s cultural, historic and natural features.
Some additional places to visit include Dunlap Lake in Menallen Township and area historical societies along with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.
Nuttal suggested a drive along historic Route 40, which was the first federally-funded highway in the United States or to see the county from a new perspective at the base of the cross at Jumonville Retreat Center.
Communities like North Belle Vernon and Charleroi that border the Monongahela River are working together to attract residents and visitors to a regional hub of activities and outdoor recreation close to home.
Debra Keefer, Mon Valley Chamber Executive Director, said the river is a huge draw for boating and waterfront dining. She added streams and creeks that feed into the river are primary resources for kayaking and fishing.
Antique and second-hand stores, entertainment and the arts are also major contributors to the downtown’s prosperity.
“We have the best of both worlds,” said Keefer. “The more we can cluster in a region the more it enhances other businesses in the area.”
Since the 1930’s, the Monessen City Park Amphitheater has served as a community centerpiece promoting music, the arts and public events.
The park, as well as the amphitheater, were each built as Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ Program during the Great Depression.
“We’re fortunate really when you think about what’s right here in our own backyard,” said Gina Lynn, Executive Director of the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce.
The North Belle Vernon Community Bank Park just completed a renovation project and is launching a summer series of activities.
Likewise, Greene County has a number of resources that enhances the town’s economy and quality of life.
Melody Longstreth, executive director of Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said it’s important for people to be local in their community by taking advantage of what there is to offer.
“Folks know the historic dates and people respond,” said Longstreth of traditional events.
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.