Economics Club Breakfast: Rails and Trails in PA

Description

Join us for our June Economics Club Virtual Event and a panel discussion on Rails and Trails in Pennsylvania. The York County Economic Alliance is excited to welcome Diane Kripas, Division Chief for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Gwen Loose, Executive Director of the York County Rail Trail Authority; and Tom Sexton, Regional Director with the Rails to Trails Conservancy; to our panel to talk about the economic and community benefits of converting former rail lines to multi-use trails. York County Economic Alliance Vice President of Economic Development, Silas Chamberlin, will also share details about the recently launched York County Trail Towns program that will leverage the Heritage Rail Trail to promote economic growth for the businesses and towns along the trail, as well as all of YoCo.
 
Diane Kripas has been providing trail-related technical and grant assistance for more than 20 years, and manages over $8 million in annual funding for Pennsylvania's trails. She leads a division with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources dedicated to fostering partnerships between nonpublic and public agencies to encourage the protection of Pennsylvania?s outstanding natural resources, developing a statewide network of greenways and trails, and expanding community recreation opportunities. Diane is currently leading the development of Pennsylvania?s 2020-2024 Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan.
 
Gwen Loose has served as the Executive Director for the York County Rail Trail Authority for more than 20 years.  Under her leadership, the Authority completed the Heritage Rail Trail County Park in 1999, and has continued work to connect it through the city of York with the northern extension of the trail.  She has also led the Authority?s efforts to create the Hanover Trolley Trail. Her passion stems from 25 years of membership in the York Hiking Club; and also includes membership in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and serving as vice-chairman of the Appalachian Trail Museum.
 
Tom Sexton joined the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) in 1991 and has focused on policy, promotion and trail-assistance efforts across 10 states in the Northeast. Prior to joining RTC, he worked as a recreation planner for the National Park Service, as a naturalist in New York City, and established the Pennsylvania office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and served as executive director. Tom has also authored several regional guidebooks and served as co-chair of the 1997 Pennsylvania Governor's Conference on Greenways and Trails.

Following the program will be a Q&A session open to attendees. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.  To register, CLICK HERE.