In an effort to attract more tourists to Nelsonville, the Nelsonville Revitalization Project is taking the initiative to hang up banners along state Route 33.
“Our biggest project yet is creating way-finding banners that will be put near the Nelsonville Bypass in order to attract people traveling through Nelsonville,” said Lynn Garbo, director of the Nelsonville Revitalization Project. “In my travels, I have seen these banners in other main street districts, and I have seen how they have helped bring new energy to those cities.”
There will be 12 banners installed on state Route 33 and five banners on Hocking Street highlighting the historic district. The banners were funded by a donation given by the Baird Foundation of Nelsonville.
There are also 12 seasonal snowflake avenue banners that will be placed on all the lampposts on the historic Public Square. The Athens Foundation and Rocky Community Improvement Fund funded these.
“The project is an innovative way to further economic development in Nelsonville by attracting direct traffic to the historic square,” said Jill A. Thompson, Nelsonville auditor. “I appreciate the work Lynn Garbo and the rest of the board does because it is often difficult to organize fundraisers and receive grants.”
In mid-2009, Nelsonville applied to Heritage Ohio to become a Main Street member. Nelsonville Main Street, Inc., is a member of the Ohio Main Street Program, which has been working with communities throughout Ohio to revitalize and restore historic and tourist areas.
Nelsonville’s Main Street aims to restore existing downtown businesses, attract new businesses, promote tourism and enhance the historic public square.
“Many people passing through the city think Route 33 is Nelsonville, but that is a misconception,” Garbo said. “Just a block away from the Rocky Outdoor Gear is Nelsonville Historic Public Square that features galleries, shops and restaurants.”
Nelsonville’s history is embedded in buildings such as Stuart’s Opera House and the Mead House, a restored historic home made into a bed and breakfast. Tish Wagner, a member of the Nelsonville Main Street Board and owner of Tish’s Treasures, said it is that history that the project is aiming to preserve.
“This project is the primary way we are trying to get local, independent-owned businesses to prosper here, instead of the commercial chain stores taking over,” Wagner said. “The downtown areas of small towns are dying.”
Garbo stressed the importance of attracting new businesses to come to the Public Square.
“It is crucial that we encourage small businesses to start here because it is the only way we can attract visitors from all over the country,” Garbo said. “We have beautiful historic ground floors in mostly all of the restored buildings, which is ideal for a unique local business.”
As for plans in the future, Garbo said she hopes to expand the efforts of the organization by looking for more members to support the funding initiative.
Funding for the program remains a prevalent issue because all the money received is either raised or given in small grants. The Athens Convention and Visitor’s Bureau cut funding after the first two years of the program in June 2011.
“I grew up in Nelsonville, and I have a deeply rooted passion for the city of Nelsonville,” Garbo said. “I still live in my mother’s parents’ house from 1923, so it has always been a city that I am strongly passionate for, and I want to see it change in a way that is new and inviting, while maintaining the historic roots.”
