What’s Happening in Shamokin

Plan GO Shamokin!!
Community Rebuilding Workshop: The Go Shamokin! project which is a 5 year implementation plan for economic revitalization is being led by the firm Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates, who was retained by the Revitalization Partnership of City of Shamokin, SABER and SEDA-COG to facilitate the planning process, including public engagement and plan preparation. In addition, the U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice is undertaking a coordinated effort focused on Rebuilding Our Community. The two efforts held a combined community workshop focused on identifying strengths and opportunities of the City through the use of visioning work sessions and activities the second week of February. 153 people attended the week-of-workshops, and the following 6 goals were identified – please click on the links for the most updated information as to what has happened since the public workshop: 

Goal 1: Attract and support the development of new businesses and support job creation activities/programs  

 Goal 2: Bring citizens together to work towards a common goal of increasing pride and ownership in our community 

 Goal 3: Foster and nurture productive partnerships  

 Goal 4: Redevelop/demolish/rehabilitate/cleanup blighted commercial and residential properties throughout the city  

 Goal 5: Enhance positive relationship building inclusive communities fostering human dignity and respect 

 Goal 6: Making Shamokin healthy, green, and clean now and tomorrow 

Goal 1 Attract and support the development of new businesses, and support job creation activities/programs and current businesses.  

 Date of Meeting:  March 19, 2020 

Co-Leads: Chris Berleth/Chamber of Commerce; Betsy Kramer/SEDA-COG 

Participants:  Betsy Kramer, Mark Stansberry, Jeanie Crowl, Meagan Baumgartner 

 There was an update as to the short and long-term projects.  While these goals are still planned, the timing has been altered a bit due to current events.  

 Current short-term (within next 90 days-ish) projects that are happening towards our goal: Anthracite Summit w/Chamber of Commerce originally scheduled for May 7th at the Springfield Banquet Hall.  As of now, we suspect that this will be postponed.  There is a new brochure being worked on for the AOAA to market the area as a tourism destination (SEDA-COG working with AOAA, Susquehanna River Valley and Columbia Montour Visitor Centers) – this is set to be done summer of 2020. Tourism Roundtable for Businesses April 23rd (SEDA-COG with collaboration from Susquehanna River Valley Visitor Bureau) – this was going to be a luncheon, but will now be a conference call with business owners. Shamokin Area Business visits – Betsy visiting businesses to see what their current needs/opportunities are (5 are planned within the next 30 days) – in person visits might end up being phone call visits due to the current situation.  Shamokin Welcome Packets – all new residents will be given a folder with information on the different businesses in the city (City Hall Project).  Business Start-Up Basics Event – Sponsored by SABER – Facilitated by Bucknell University Small Business Development Center.  This will be a one-hour event in which interested individuals can learn the basics on how to start a business.  Bucknell SBDC has canceled all events through May, so we will plan this event as soon as they are able to facilitate it.    

 Longer term projects: Pool existing job opportunities (Working with Chamber) 

Connect Shamokin School District with Career Pathways (CPWDC and Chamber of Commerce) 

Create a city prospectus to attract new businesses. Ongoing work with investors and development projects (SEDA-COG and other agencies). There were several other suggestions like working with NCCAH to use the Arts to bring in new business, including marketing the area for entrepreneurs in the Arts – and also use the theatre at the arts center to have a film festival.   

 In addition, it was noted that goshamokin Facebook page is an excellent place to advertise events in the area for current businesses.  Please email info@goshamokin.com for more information or to have your business, group, or organization’s event advertised on here.  

Does your business, group, or organization have an event you would like for us to share on this page? Contact us today!