Revitalization's train gains speed
Opinion - REPUBLICAN & Herald
01/22/2006
Talk about an ambitious goal.
In launching the Campaign for Ashland, the Ashland
Downtown Inc. revitalization group has set its sights on raising $175,000
over a five-year period.
Of course, the ultimate goal in the drive is to become
part of the state's Main Street Program and thus become eligible for
some $500,000 in additional grants for revitalization projects.
Admission to the program, run by the state Department
of Community and Economic Development, the community will hire a downtown
manager to coordinate activities such as promotions, recruitment of
new business ventures and expansions, all of which are vitally important
in nursing depressed downtown centers back to health.
It won't be easy, but indications are that the goal
can be reached. For instance, before the ADI meeting ended, $33,000
was generated for the effort, with three ADI board members and families
pledging $8,000 and the group itself pledging $25,000 over the five-year
period through fundraisers and projects.
With that fine start, what's needed now is determination
over the long haul to keep it going.
Ashland is among six northern Schuylkill County boroughs
working for downtown revitalization under the umbrella group Upper
Schuylkill Downtowns. The others are Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy
City, Ringtown and Shenandoah.
The idea is to maximize the a regional impact while
showcasing the uniqueness of each community.
Ashland's goals are similar to those of the other communities,
to create a "vibrant, attractive and historic downtown by preserving
architectural charm, promoting economic vitality and marketing historic
and cultural resources."
What gives Ashland a good shot at success for its campaign
is that ADI has a plan to keep enthusiasm high.
The campaign will be done in phases that start with
large businesses, professionals and local government, then goes to
small businesses and finally to residents and friends.
With ADI having received not-for-profit status from
the Internal Revenue Service, donations to the campaign will be tax
deductible.
Through the local Community Banks branch, the group
plans to set up an open house and reception for local businesses,
to be followed in March by a town meeting to explain ADI's goals and
mission to the general public.
So it isn't likely the Campaign for Ashland will be
out of the public's consciousness anytime soon.
The downtowns of Upper Schuylkill communities today
are but shadows of the vibrant centers they once were.
And chances are they will never become what they once
were, because we're in a different era, with out-of-town malls and
plazas and relatively easy modes of transportation.
We no longer have a mighty, coal-fired economic engine
to lure people here from around the world.
But that doesn't mean our downtowns are doomed to simply
stagnate and die. There are downtowns that have found niches, through
unusual specialty shops, showcasing historical sites and offering
unique experiences such as train rides. The Carbon County seat of
Jim Thorpe is one example.
The requirements include consistent effort, an ability
to shrug off disappointments - there are bumps in the road - and determination
to get the job down over the long haul.
It can be done. And the folks in Upper Schuylkill Downtowns
communities appear to have the right attitudes to do it.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
< Back to News
