MUNCY --- Muncy, like many other small communities across Pennsylvania, is seeing a decline in population, fewer job opportunities, and negative effects caused by flooding. The state wants to find a way to combat these issues and so do people in Muncy.
Customers usually come to the Original Italian Pizza in Muncy for one of two things: food or good conversation.
"I've worked here a long time and like I said we see a lot of people," said Beverly Fenstermacher.
Fenstermacher has worked here for over 20 years, so she knows what people are concerned with in Muncy.
"The flooding is a big thing, traffic was a big thing for a while," said Fenstermacher.
About 40 percent of Muncy lives in a flood plain, that includes Beverly's sister.
"Lost her house, her vehicles, her motorcycles,” said Fenstermacher.
"Without the support, we can't do anything. The taxes on the insurance it's expensive people can't afford stuff like that," said Nick Nelson.
Borough members expect others in the community also have concerns they want to voice. It's why they are holding a meeting at Ward L. Myers Elementary in Muncy.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to remake the town in its own image," said Edward Feigles.
Borough council member Edward Feigles will be at the school to help unveil the Muncy Resiliency Plan.
"It's a state and federal and local partnership whereby we will take one small community and basically fix all of the stressors that affect that community and then be able to point to that community when other communities have issues. They can say, 'go see how they fixed it in Muncy,'" said Feigles.
Feigles says this project, once designed, through private and possibly public funding could help combat concerns and help families who live in the flood plain.
"I'd say by the end of 2018, we should have a strategic plan." Said Feigles.
Right now, the project is in the planning stages. The county hopes to use a $250,000 state grant to start the project.