An Open Invitation to Clearfield Visioning Meeting

CLEARFIELD - YOU ARE INVITED! In the past year, there has been quite a buzz building in Clearfield about bettering our community for ourselves! TheClearfield Revitalization Corporation is part of that movement. We have worked very hard this year to become a non-profit/501c3 corporation that will be housing the PA State program known as the Main Street Manager Program in Clearfield--eventually and ideally, along with other programs like Elm Street. The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation is: Committed to Leading the Revitalization of the All-American People, Places, and Spirit of Clearfield, PA! But--we can't do it without YOUR support!

Revitalization is more than just banners, more than just cornstalks, more than a new Santa house! These listed things are part of something much bigger: these things represent people who care and a community that is rallying together behind a single VISION to change the trends of an entire town! Below is a summary of what the Main Street and Elm Street Programs are all about and why revitalization is important. This is referenced from the PA Downtown Center who runs the Main and Elm Street Programs for the State of PA: Main Street Program: Works with the ECONOMIC needs of a community. Elm Street Program: Works with the RESIDENTIAL needs of a community. 5 Points of Main Street:

Design: Bring out the best of a downtown. The improvement and enhancement of the physical environment of the central business district.

Promotion: Selling the "image"/"branding" of a downtown. The creation and implementation of a unified and consistent plan for the marketing of the downtown area including the general image of the central business district.

Economic Restructuring: Finding new use/purpose for a downtown. The preparation of the studies necessary to fully understand the social and economic characteristics of the downtown and its trade area, as as to implement a strategy that will retain existing businesses and help strong businesses or business clusters to develop and recruit new businesses appropriate to the vision and trade area demographics of the downtown in question.
Organization: Getting the entire community onboard with the same vision. The development of a strong, well-trained downtown corporate entity, preferably an independent, non-profit organization, who's sole responsibility is the enhancement of the communication, volunteer development, program implementation and fundraising skills necessary to implement the four point approach.

Clean, Safe, Green: Addressing maintenance and safety issues.

Why worry about downtown revitalization? "A well-run downtown revitalization program is an important and worthwhile investment in the economic health and quality of life in a community. A vital central business district retains and creates jobs and stabilizes and enhances downtown property values, setting up a strong tax base that is less dependent upon residential taxes for financial stability. Long-term revitalization establishes capable businesses that serve the community
and provide tax revenues for local and state government. Downtown and central businesses districts are also a good incubator for new, small businesses--the building blocks of a healthy economy. A traditional commercial district is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn keep profits in town, supports local families with family-owned businesses, invests in community projects such as ball teams and schools, and provides an extremely stable economic foundation.

Most importantly, a strong downtown revitalization program creates a "sense of place" that is a crucial factor in 21st century economic development." (Ref: PA Downtown Center) With all that being said: The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation considers YOU a stakeholder in our downtown and invites you to the following: Public Visioning Meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Westminster Fellowship Hall of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church. The Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) and the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation (CRC) will host a public meeting for PDC to generate ideas and discussion from local residents and business affiliates that will define a desirable future for the Borough's Core Business District. We want your opinions. ANYONE--business owners, employees, residents and all other interested individuals who have a stake in downtown Clearfield are welcome at this meeting. This will be
the last community wide visioning meeting before developing a specific action-strategy plan for the revitalization of downtown Clearfield in regard to the Main Street Program. The most successful towns in these programs are towns that band together as a community for the community.

NOW is the time to become educated, become involved, and show your support!

Please RSVP by Dec. 08, 2008 to: Keely Casteel, Clearfield Revitalization Corporation (CRC), SecretaryEm:
casteel_k@hotmail.com. Please note: If you can not attend this entire meeting, know we welcome you to attend as able.