Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Economic Development Group downtown revitalization committee is deciding what projects to complete next year.
The committee is charged with developing revitalization projects, similar to those outlined in a plan completed by the Oregon Downtown Development Association two years ago.
This year, the committee is working on a project to improve the corner of 12th and Main streets. Equipment for the project has arrived and awaits installation following an overlay on the property.
The revitalization committee has asked the SHEDG Board of Directors to include $20,000 in next year’s budget for projects, tentatively proposing three as yet undetermined projects.
The committee is looking at the East Linn Museum property as a focal point because it stands at the entrance to Sweet Home. Committee members and East Linn Museum are talking about replacing the wooden statues with bronze statues, which will last longer.
Gail Gregory approached the committee on behalf of the museum, committee Chairwoman Beth Lambert said.
The committee is planning a survey of business owners to be conducted in person to find out what they would like to see in terms of improvement projects.
The committee assigned a subcommittee, Lerena Ruby, Bill Lewis and Karen Owen, to develop a mission statement for the revitalization committee.
“People are looking for our direction,” Lambert said. “With a mission statement, it will help keep our committee on task.”
The idea behind the projects is to develop many ideas for small projects to make a splash, help improve the look of the downtown area and attract the community into SHEDG’s efforts, Lerena Ruby, a member of the SHEDG board, said.
When the mission statement is complete, the committee will look for several different projects.
“I think we have a well-rounded committee group,” Lambert said. “I think the ideas will just come.”
Ultimately, how the community looks affects revitalization, Lambert said. “Like Michael (Kinney) said (in a committee meeting), in 10 years it would be wonderful to see our downtown look like that revitalization plan.”
The beautification committee’s efforts in the median also help in that direction as well.
The goal, for Lambert, is to make town look friendly and make people want to stop and shop.
The revitalization plan “is what started this whole thing,” Lambert said. “I would say instead of spending money to go one step further with architectural plans, let’s put our money into town.”
The SHEDG board agreed with that idea and dropped plans to expand the revitalization plan in favor of developing projects.
How to put the money, proceeds from the Oregon Jamboree, into improving town is where the mission statement will come into play, Lambert said. Economic development “means so many different things to different people.”
Economic development is how attractive the city can be to a manufacturing business, convincing it to locate in Sweet Home, Lambert said. Improving the looks of the town is a part of that. Improving local businesses is a part of it too.
The committee and its mission statement’s goal is to take the bring the many ideas and perceptions of its participants into a cohesive plan.
“Projects are only one component of downtown revitalization,” City Manager Craig Martin told the committee. The committee could also look at hospitality training and marketing for merchants. Revitalization also includes issues about branding and marketing the community as a whole.
Economic Development Coordinator Karen Owen told the committee she is already working in those areas. She will be receiving training in “quality customer service” then offering her training to local businesses.
In the spring, under a grant, the ODDA will visit Sweet Home for a branding session, which will include development of a logo and slogan.
“It will take about four months,” Owen said. “It requires that the community get involved.”
It asks the question, “What are we all about?” Owen said.