tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060278883118319195.post93541644466639681..comments2024-03-27T23:10:00.915-04:00Comments on Wayne County Life: Lyons Volunteer OpportunitiesSeth C. Burgesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13559929297207143914noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060278883118319195.post-88152715873831243952010-02-24T11:45:54.520-05:002010-02-24T11:45:54.520-05:00The Lyons Main Street Program would be happy to he...The Lyons Main Street Program would be happy to hear any suggestions you might have on how best to fill up our empty storefronts. One of the four Committees that are manned strictly by volunteers is the Economic Restructing Committee. the other three committees are Organization, Design and Promotional. The Economic Restructuring Committee is chaired by Eileen Lutz, Executive Director of CASH, and committee members include: CJ Britt, VP of Lyons NAtional Bank, Sean Dobbins (owner of Dobbins Drugs and Old Lyons Hardware) Andy Richardson (member of school board), Jim Brady (Lyons IDC), Peg Churchill (Executive Director of wayne County IDA), Sharon Lilla (Wayne County Planning), and David Alena (retired, Lyons CSD). The ER Committee meets at least once a month to review strategies and discuss plans to attract new business and tourism. There are a lot of competing communities that are doing what they can to attract the business dollar. For Lyons to win out over the competition we have to make Lyons an attractive alternative. We have to have a marketing strategy to draw folks into our village. It isn't possible to open new businesses in a town that is not attracting folks to it. We are facing tough economic times, to be sure, but no one is going to open a business in a district that doesn't draw folks into it. Lyons has had many negative peceptions that have built up over 25-30 years. None of us woke up one morning to find our business district run down, a bit tatty, and less than desireable - it happened over time. Turning around Lyons has not and will not be easy. Festivals and events are one of many ways to dispell the negative perception which others in our region, including our own residents and officals,have painted Lyons. The special event activites, coupled with volunteer efforts to clean up what makes us look bad while working with code enforcement to address code violations dress up the area in question. The LMSP Economic Restructuring Committee is working with local law makers (town, village and county), financial institutions, small business and minority agencies, the Wayne County Industrial Agency and Lyons Industrial Development Corporation to put together new business incintives and guidebooks while referring potential businessmen and women to the appropriate organizations. Offering reduced rents and tax packages are what will bring new businesses. However,working out the details takes times and volunteer effort. Maybe you could find the time to assist with our program to help bring in new businesses. The National Main Street model is working in 45 of the 50 states and in over 1,600 communities. Each of them struggled just as we are but they have made a huge difference and have succeeded in giving their community a stronger business core. I strongly urge you to go to www.preservationnation.org and explore what other communities are doing. There is a lot going on behind the scenes here in Lyons that doesn't get the publicity it deserves. Many folks are spending a lot of time and effort to make their community stronger. We need your help - why not put in some effort yourself? Why not put forth the effort to help all of Lyons?Jerry Ashley, Lyons Main Street Program Managerhttp://www.lyonsmainstreetprogram.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060278883118319195.post-86710798972297563372010-02-23T23:13:17.213-05:002010-02-23T23:13:17.213-05:00All these little events are fine but what about re...All these little events are fine but what about revitalizing downtown. Wasn't that the whole pupose of the Mainstreet Program. I think more efforts should be put into filling some of the many empty stores on main street and not having these one day typical events that every other town has too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com