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Chamber launches 2007 beautification program
Robin Delaney/Managing Editor
First impressions count.
That includes the impression a community makes on visitors and potential new residents.
This belief prompted the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce to implement its beautification program last year, and it remains the catalyst behind this year's expansion.
“We've heard it over and over from people looking us over. The appearance of our properties matters,” Chamber President Bob Huffman said.
Last year, the Chamber invested $5,000 - which was matched by the Scotts Company and increased to a total of $17,000 by other contributions from local residents and businesses - to demolish seven targeted dilapidated properties.
This year, there appears to be even more financial support behind the Chamber's beautification efforts. In addition to the Chamber's own $5,000 investment for 2007, the Fort Madison City Council has earmarked $20,000 for the effort in the city's 2007-08 fiscal budget, and the Scotts Company has once again come through, with a second $5,000 contribution.
That's $30,000, but Chamber Executive Director Tracy Vance says there is a much longer list of targeted properties and that the Chamber is soliciting additional support.
“We hope to raise another $15,000,” Vance said. “We've sent out letters to our members and with $40,000 - hopefully $45,000 - we'll be able to do more, and at a faster pace.”
Contributions can be sent to the Chamber office or deposited directly into the Chamber's separate beautification account at State Central Bank. The Chamber hopes to have about $15,000 in additional contributions by July 1 when the city's fiscal year begins and the city's $20,000 becomes available.
It's difficult to say how many structures can be demolished or rehabilitated with $40,000 to $45,000, but Huffman says the Chamber hopes to also make these properties attractive to visitors and enticing to potential developers.
“The amount a property requires varies. Some might take $5,000 to $8,000. We're getting to the point where the projects are bigger or are involving more. We're trying to target some of the worst properties along Avenue H... along the highway as you drive through town,” Huffman said. “We're not wanting to go around knocking down buildings. Our ultimate goal is to find ways to get someone to invest in the property and put something attractive and useful in its place to also add to the community's tax base.”
First impressions count.
That includes the impression a community makes on visitors and potential new residents.
This belief prompted the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce to implement its beautification program last year, and it remains the catalyst behind this year's expansion.
“We've heard it over and over from people looking us over. The appearance of our properties matters,” Chamber President Bob Huffman said.
Last year, the Chamber invested $5,000 - which was matched by the Scotts Company and increased to a total of $17,000 by other contributions from local residents and businesses - to demolish seven targeted dilapidated properties.
This year, there appears to be even more financial support behind the Chamber's beautification efforts. In addition to the Chamber's own $5,000 investment for 2007, the Fort Madison City Council has earmarked $20,000 for the effort in the city's 2007-08 fiscal budget, and the Scotts Company has once again come through, with a second $5,000 contribution.
That's $30,000, but Chamber Executive Director Tracy Vance says there is a much longer list of targeted properties and that the Chamber is soliciting additional support.
“We hope to raise another $15,000,” Vance said. “We've sent out letters to our members and with $40,000 - hopefully $45,000 - we'll be able to do more, and at a faster pace.”
Contributions can be sent to the Chamber office or deposited directly into the Chamber's separate beautification account at State Central Bank. The Chamber hopes to have about $15,000 in additional contributions by July 1 when the city's fiscal year begins and the city's $20,000 becomes available.
It's difficult to say how many structures can be demolished or rehabilitated with $40,000 to $45,000, but Huffman says the Chamber hopes to also make these properties attractive to visitors and enticing to potential developers.
“The amount a property requires varies. Some might take $5,000 to $8,000. We're getting to the point where the projects are bigger or are involving more. We're trying to target some of the worst properties along Avenue H... along the highway as you drive through town,” Huffman said. “We're not wanting to go around knocking down buildings. Our ultimate goal is to find ways to get someone to invest in the property and put something attractive and useful in its place to also add to the community's tax base.”
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