V.I.B.E. erects new Blossburg Welcome Sign

In December 2007 V.I.B.E. had a new welcome sign erected by the green bridge to replace the one that had been there for many years and was ready for a face lift. Plans are in the works to have the area landscaped under and around the sign and spot lights to illuminate the top of the sign at night. The sign has the added advantage in being much safer for the people who change the messages on the event sign.welcome_sign

V.I.B.E. Members Elect New Officers for 2007 – 2008

At the regular monthly V.I.B.E. meeting in July, members elected new officers. Tonya McNamara was elected president, Jill Nickerson was re-elected vice president, Jackie Smith was elected secretary and Heidi Jones was elected treasurer.

V.I.B.E. Members Complete Pennsylvania Downtown Center Trainings

To fullfill part of the requirements of the Department of Community and Economic Development grant, several V.I.B.E. members attended trainings offered by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center on the four aspects of Main Street revitalization. Carol Tama attended the session on organizational development, Heidi Jones and Jill Nickerson attended the session on design, Tonya McNamara and Bev Jones attended the economic restructuring session, and Bev also attended the session on promoting the downtown area.

BLOSSBURG V.I.B.E. AWARDS TWO GRANTS FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS

BLOSSBURG V.I.B.E. AWARDS TWO GRANTS FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS

Ray Davis, First Baptist Church benefit from grant program

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BLOSSBURG, April 18 – Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business and Entertainment) awarded grants Wednesday to Blossburg Main Street property owners Ray Davis and the First Baptist Church of Blossburg for improvements to facades of their buildings at 314 and 213-215 Main Street, respectively.

“Ray’s Service Center is now a vibrant, inviting building as you enter downtown Blossburg” said V.I.B.E. president Beverly Jones. “The new siding and porch on the storefronts and apartments owned by the First Baptist Church really change how the downtown looks. V.I.B.E. appreciates the time and money they’ve spent to make this happen.”

The grant money was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as part of its New Communities Main Street program which seeks to revitalize Pennsylvania’s downtown areas through a four-point approach that encompasses design (such as the façade restorations, parking, signage and streetscapes), promotions, economic restructuring and organization. Blossburg V.I.B.E. has been awarded $65,000 for planning and façade improvement grants since April 2005.

Blossburg V.I.B.E. awards matching grants to property owners who have completed historically appropriate renovations to the façade of a building, up to $3,000 per storefront. The design guidelines were developed by the design team in conjunction with Larson Design Group of Williamsport.

Ray’s Service Center and The Small Mall join prior award recipients Jill Nickerson’s Toddler University Preschool & Daycare, Inc., Shane Nickerson’s building that houses the Window Box Flower Shop, Ben Jones’ building occupied by Headz Up styling salon, and Pat & Doc Ollock’s building rented by Laurel Health System’s Blossburg Head Start.

Ray’s Service Center at 314 Main Street has new garage doors, new corrugated siding, new doors, red and white paint scheme and new signage.

The building at the corner of Hannibal and Main Streets, owned by the First Baptist Church of Blossburg, houses The Small Mall, owned by Linda Shypulefsky and several apartments. The church invested in new siding, a new side porch and new lighting for the building.

Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business & Entertainment) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2004 to envision, plan and implement projects that will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, play or attend school in Blossburg. More information about V.I.B.E. can be found at www.blossburg.org/vibe.

For information, applications or assistance, please contact Bev Jones at 570-638-2763 or jonesbev@gmail.com.