Lansford Borough Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio will meet with the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau to discuss a tourism development plan.

A meeting is tentatively set for May 12 to outline a tourism plan, council President Bruce Markovich said.

“This is only going to be a meeting to discuss an outline,” he said. “Once it gets moving forward, it’ll all be brought to council. It’s not that anyone is going to make any decisions there.”

Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the PMVB, explained in a letter that the Pocono Mountains continue to be a popular, drivable getaway for tourists, especially those from New York and Philadelphia.

Direct and indirect revenue from 30 million visitors support communities and small businesses thrive in downtowns, he wrote.

“The PMVB recognizes the historical relevance of Lansford and see an opportunity for further economic development by investing in the preservation of that very history,” Barrett said. “We encourage the development of Dock Street and the train station to anchor a future Tourism Development Plan.”

The train station is the key to future development, Barrett said, and Lansford, given its location between Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe, can be a wonderful day trip for visitors.

Barrett noted the location of the train station, less than a mile from the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, one of the most interesting and popular attractions keeping anthracite coal mining heritage alive.

“We see forward momentum in the Panther Valley,” he said. “The train station will serve as a multiuse facility for both the community and visitors.”

Collevechio thanked her fellow council members for the support.

9/11 Trail

Council also appointed Markovich to serve on the 9/11 Trail steering committee, which is looking at a trail linking Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

Stakeholders in a trail connecting Jim Thorpe and Pottsville met last month, as a push to complete more of the 1,500-mile 9/11 Trail is underway, with the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks coming next year.

One link was the proposed Panther Creek Valley Trail, which would have linked Jim Thorpe to Tamaqua. A consultant for the 9/11 Trail Commission is doing a feasibility study to determine the best path for the trail.

Sen. David Argall and his chief of staff, Christine Verdier, said the time is right for the trail, especially with combined effort of folks in the Panther Valley working together under a Blueprint Communities designation; the expansion of exhibits at the No. 9 Mine and Museum; and Summit Hill’s plans to attract visitors from Jim Thorpe.

Markovich said they don’t want to see Lansford overlooked or bypassed for the trail. He has already reached out to Bob Armstrong, who serves on 9/11 Trail committee, who suggested they send in possible attractions or reasons to visit Lansford.

The borough will be compiling a list, and welcomes suggests from the public, Markovich said.