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Pocono News Section
County Loan Causes Controversy
County Loan Causes Controversy - Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 5:53PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 @ 05:53pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-
A multi-million dollar loan is sparking controversy in Lycoming County.
Some business people in downtown Williamsport say they're being overlooked by county officials.
It was a packed house at the Lycoming County Commissioners' meeting Tuesday morning.
The board unanimously approved a $2.6 million loan to the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority.
Commissioner Rebecca Burke explained, "This board of commissioners, as well as the former two boards, has a strong commitment to providing infrastructure for the appropriate growth of Lycoming County."
The money will be used to extend a water line out near the Muncy Industrial Park- a move expected to attract companies that have previously passed on eastern Lycoming County.
Jason Fink, of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce noted, "We had the land, but we didn't have the infrastructure in place, and subsequently, those industrial jobs went with them."
The move has left some downtown Williamsport business owners crying foul. While they don't necessarily oppose the loan, they say the county is overlooking them.
For example, they cite what they call a lack of support for the downtown kohl’s department store project.
Business owner Brian Martino pleaded, "Don't loan everything and support everything out there. We're here too. We're part of the county. And I think we're a big part of the county."
But others who attended Tuesday’s meeting see it differently.
Oliver Sones, of Muncy, argued, "Lycoming County is big and there are other towns that need the money just as well as Williamsport."
Commissioner Burke lamented what she calls a lack of communication between city administrators and county officials. Everyone we spoke with hopes for a better working relationship in the future.
Martino added, “We just don’t want to be forgotten. That was our whole reason for being there.”
Lycoming County is home to about 120,000 residents. Nearly 30% live in the city of Williamsport.
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