Congratulations to the Cochranton community for stepping up and filling a need with the Community Services Complex on North Franklin Street.

With it, the community now has a pharmacy for the first time in almost a quarter century.

When you consider that a resident of the community had to log 11 miles one way to Meadville or 15 miles another way to Franklin to reach a pharmacy, it’s a big deal.

The greater Cochranton area has about 4,300 residents in the borough and surrounding townships.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Cochranton resident Maryland Chambers told the Tribune. “It makes things a lot easier.”

In addition to a full-service pharmacy, there’s a primary care doctor’s office and a credit union office all in one location. There also is space to add future compatible services.

We’re also encouraged to see groups working together with a common goal.

The complex is a result of a collaborative effort between the Cochranton community, local economic development officials and the business community.

The Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County was approached for help by Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort (CARE), a nonprofit citizens group. A community services survey done by CARE found some residents, particularly older people, were having trouble getting to a pharmacy or having access to basic health care.

The Economic Progress Alliance and CARE then began working to find medical and financial groups willing to partner.

ONE Federal Credit Union of Meadville and Northwest Pharmacy Solutions, which operates in conjunction with the nonprofit Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville, were willing to come on board, as was Dr. Jack Peterson, a staff physician with Meadville Medical Center.

We’re pleased with the outcome of the project and wish the venture success in the future.