Has anyone else noticed how busy the river has been this summer? Just about every day I see canoes, kayaks and even inner-tubes floating down the river. It’s wonderful to see the community taking advantage of one of Clearfield’s biggest assets. The Susquehanna River is an opportunity that Clearfield should not take for granted. These individuals pass right through our core main street (downtown) district. How can we pull them from the river into our downtown businesses? They need to be “reeled” in, just like any other customer.
Part of Clearfield’s revitalization process is marketing our downtown as a place to shop, eat, stay and enjoy yourself. The CRC has put together different projects this past year to help downtown businesses maximize their customer base and appeal to the community on a minimal budget. The CRC has sold several inexpensive outdoor bistro and cafe tables to restaurants for outdoor seating opportunities (which was top-ranked in a community survey in 2008 as a “want” for downtown) and we’re finishing up the second round of facade improvement grants to update and restore deteriorated storefronts. The CRC has also implemented the Golden Broom Award to downtown businesses to enhance curb appeal for a clean and inviting downtown. We’ve also kicked off many buy-local-stay-local campaigns that outline The 3/50 Project, as well as offered tips to business owners such as using sandwich boards or showcasing products outside on their sidewalk to increase foot traffic.
All of these projects have been successful, but the CRC can only do so much to encourage growth and change. It is up to YOU, the community, to support your downtown businesses. Everyone has a decision…..where you choose to spend your $1 is your vote for your communities economic system. In order for our community to revitalize and in order for jobs, restaurants, and grocery stores to come to our area, our community must buy local, support one another and invest in each other. It is as simple as that. Business owners must do their part to cater to the towns needs and the community must do their part by supporting our current businesses. Revitalization is a community-based approach. Once we start investing in what we have, more businesses will start to come, and the trend will begin.
Did you know we have over 200 different establishments in our main street district? We also have over 2,000 people who are employed in downtown Clearfield. This is plenty of opportunity our community has to grab on to. Once we start sustaining what we have, it will generate a healthy economy for more restaurants, shops and grocery stores to open. But until we start doing this, our chances of seeing growth and change are limited, if any.
I challenge everyone to visit a local, independently owned business in downtown Clearfield and make a purchase. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, but ask to see the owner and tell them how much they are appreciated. Trust me, it will mean something.
Kellie Truman
Main Street Manager, Clearfield Revitalization Corporation