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Residents press Cameron County for better online access, emergency readiness and disability‑friendly trails
Summary
Speakers at the Aug. 22 meeting urged the county to improve online visibility for small businesses, assess emergency‑service readiness amid growth, create administrative support for small businesses and make regional trail projects more accessible to people with disabilities.
At the Aug. 22 Cameron County Commissioners meeting, residents urged the board to improve county communications, strengthen emergency preparedness for anticipated growth and provide more support for small businesses.
Resident Emily Costanzo commended the commissioners’ work and said she has been updating Google Maps and improving online presences for local businesses, particularly for older proprietors who struggle with technology. Costanzo proposed creating a “Town Secretary” role to provide part‑time administrative support to small business operators, such as electricians and contractors, who cannot afford full‑time help. She also highlighted economic potential in the outdoor‑recreation sector, cited Pennsylvania statistics on outdoor economic development, and urged better accessibility planning for the North Central ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program.
Corey Riley of the Small Business Development Center outlined free SBDC programs supported by federal and state grants, including consulting, training and webinars for entrepreneurs and existing businesses, and encouraged residents to use the SBDC website for help starting or growing businesses.
Celeste Makay of Second Harvest described the food bank’s mission serving 11 counties in Northwest Pennsylvania and accepted the board’s proclamation naming September as Hunger Action Month.
Resident Horacio Caprio thanked commissioners for their service and criticized the pace of transparency improvements. He said the county website is difficult to navigate, called for expanded use of social media and asked that meetings be live‑streamed; commissioners acknowledged legal constraints around social‑media use by county officials, said they are working to update the website and improve Wi‑Fi to enable streaming, and encouraged public participation.
Commissioners responded to the public comments by thanking speakers for their research and ideas and by explaining that some proposals (for example, certain marketing and economic development actions) involve other entities such as the borough, the Chamber of Commerce or external grant partners. The board said it will explore feasible ways to support small businesses and to improve digital access, subject to legal limitations and budgetary constraints.
Next steps: The commissioners plan to continue exploring website and Wi‑Fi upgrades that may allow live streaming and to coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and other local partners on business‑support ideas; residents were encouraged to follow the county’s forthcoming updates and future meetings.
