Honesdale partnership is struggling

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

HONESDALE, PA — The Greater Honesdale Partnership is facing the challenge of hiring a new executive director without enough money in its coffers to pay the new leader.

Partnership chairman Tom Fasshauer said the non-profit economic development group has struggled recently as a result of scant state funding and that the situation is “now critical.” Private contributions have supported the partnership’s efforts in the recent past, and such funding must continue if the group is to have a future, Fasshauer said.

“By and large, from my perspective, we’ve been too successful to qualify for state and federal grants,” he said.

Until January 2005, the group was led by Carson Mader, who retired after successfully promoting new business development on Honesdale’s Main Street and elsewhere in the borough.

“The partnership also helped out over 60 businesses with façade improvements,” Fasshauer said. “This wouldn’t have happened without the partnership.” He said the board is currently interviewing three to four “solid candidates” for the open position.

“But none of them said they would do it for free,” he said.

A public information meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the instructional room at Honesdale High School. All business owners and members of the community are invited to learn more about the situation.

“A few speakers will lay out the case for continuing the partnership,” Fasshauer said.

For more information call 570/253-3080.