HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners voted Thursday to advertise an ordinance for creation of a trail, park and recreation authority, an entity that could be positioned to pursue development of outdoor recreational assets.

Commissioners Dave Kessling and Amy Webster indicated Thursday that the proposed ordinance, as prepared by the county solicitor, is ready to be advertised, which is one step in the process of creating the authority and designating its purpose.

A year ago, both Kessling and Webster, along with fellow commissioner Laura Burke, who was absent from Thursday’s meeting, showed interest in creating an authority that would play a role in spearheading future recreational trail development.

That idea drew support during a public meeting in February 2024, where about 60 people pointed to a lack of coordination inside Blair County for development of outdoor recreational trail assets like ones in neighboring counties. That meeting also referenced the availability of state and federal grant money that an authority would be in a position to pursue.

Commissioners said Thursday that they didn’t have a copy of the proposed ordinance that the solicitor has been drafting, subject to their review. But they said a copy will be available soon and upon advertising an intention to consider adoption.

“This is one of those days that it’s nice to be a commissioner, when you’re able to move something forward that the community wants … and this is well on its way at this point,” Kessling said.

Under the state’s Municipality Authorities Act, the county can create an authority to undertake a specific purpose or purposes aimed at benefiting the public. While an authority has no taxing power, those appointed by county commissioners to serve on an authority have the power to set up operations which can include the pursuit of projects, financing and management.

Current Blair County operating authorities — with members appointed by the commissioners — include ones managing the Altoona-Blair County Airport in Martinsburg and the Blair County Convention Center.

Blair County used to have a solid waste authority that commissioners created, then later dissolved when commissioners opted to transfer the authority’s responsibilities to a solid waste department.