Brad's July Update

It has not been a bad summer here in Connellsville as our work has gone forward in the right direction. During most of the month The River Town Team has been discussing having a regional event and have put some plans in place to do that in the fall. The event would bring many people from the towns together to educate them and encourage them to do work in their communities. Each town has formed an action team that consists of community members that will focus on continuing some of our work and the goal for this team is to be active long after our program is finished. We have found great people in each of our towns and we are grateful that they have welcomed us and have cooperated with us and our ideas for each town.

In California right now my work has focused mostly on working with a community member from neighboring Coal Center who owns a lot of undeveloped river front property. I have set him up with an architect to get plans in place and also had a meeting with his banker to see if funds would be available for such a large development along the river. I am also writing an extensive grant to see if I can get funds for a public fishing/boating dock in downtown California. I have also contributed to the River Town smart phone application by taking pictures and notes of attractions in the California area. This will help to promote tourism in the Mon Valley region once completed.

As I have reached more than the halfway point of my service time here I have grown a lot and have learned so much about community development, local government, and the culture of western Pennsylvania. I am glad to be a part of a program like this and I am proud of the work that I have done so far.