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Life like it oughta be!

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View Bloomfield's Vision

 

 

 

 

Diana Upton-Hill, Bloomfield Main Street Program Coordinator.

To contact Diana call 641-664-2309 or stop by the Main Street Office. Send email here.

Guest Editorial

Remain diligent in preserving past

Grant programs are available to help renovate, paint buildings

By Doug Dixon
Chairman
Design Committee
Bloomfield Main Street

Our square was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. At that point, it became our responsibility to help preserve what we should consider our historic treasure. We often take for granted what we have and become complacent in our upkeep.

Our downtown infrastructure is what presents the first impression to prospective businesses and residents, visitors and tourists. Our town square and courthouse create the physical face that identifies our community. If we show the world that we’re willing to let it crumble, what does that say about our community? Basic maintenance of the roof and avoiding water damage is essential. Most of our losses and problems on the square can be traced to neglect of roofs. This is our home and our heritage, and like it or not, it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve it. If we let it fall, who’s going to rebuild it and at what cost?

There is help available in a grant program for façade and structural renovation that can provide $500 in matching funds. Another grant of $250 can apply specifically toward painting. All façade improvements are subject to review by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission.  Applications can be picked up at the Main Street office at 101 E. Franklin or call 641-664-2309 for more information.    

A look around the state at other communities that embrace their heritage and capitalize on their historic infrastructure is encouraging. Smaller communities with fewer resources like Bonaparte and Walnut have transformed their environment and utilized their historic buildings to draw tourism and create a thriving economic climate. Both are shining examples of preservation and vision. Bonaparte is the smallest Main Street community in the U.S.! 

If we are to grow and thrive as a community, we must take advantage of what we have to offer. We should not overlook our historic treasures, but instead embrace what have been constant fixtures in our lives. This will certainly change if we do not take our situation seriously. We must be proactive in preserving what tourists frequently say “makes us charming.” This is a call to community leaders, residents, private investors, and business owners to invest in what we have and take action to protect that which makes us unique.

Those wishing to make a contribution to the rehabilitation of buildings on the square can contact Main Street directly at 641-664-2309. We at Main Street are constantly striving to preserve and make usable downtown buildings through grant funding and education.

We must remain diligent in our efforts to preserve our past.

This editorial was published in the June 11, 2008 issues of The Bloomfield Democrat.


Why Should I Shop Locally?,

One of the primary purposes of Bloomfield Main Street i sto focus on downtown business district revitalization.  This includes everything from preserving the historical architecture of our town square, to assisting those interested in starting a business, to creating events and activities intended to draw people into the downtown area.           

While we strive daily to make this happen, it can’t be fully-realized without you doing your part as well!  Here is a list of reasons to support those local businesses, excerpted from 10 Reasons Why Vermont’s Homegrown Economy Matters and 50 Proven Ways to Revive It :

Local Character & Prosperity

  • Communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and character have an economic advantage in an increasingly homogenized world.

Community Well-Being

  • Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers and contributing to local causes.

Local Decision-Making

  • Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community.

Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy

  • Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy.

Entrepreneurship

  • Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity.

Competition

  • A marketplace filled with small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

Product Diversity

  • A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices

 

Farmer's Market in full swing!
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Perfect Plans Celebrates Grand Opening!

Need a reason to throw a party?  How about by celebrating with Perfect Plans as it opens its doors in downtown Bloomfield?  Owner Jackie Francis invites you to come in and see what she has to offer.  From start to finish, your event can be a success and easy, as Jackie takes care of everything from invitations, catering, DJs and even clean up!  She has a wide range of rentals and supplies, too.  And right now, throw a party with Perfect Plans, and enter a drawing to win a party free! 

Open Mon.-Wed., Fri. 9-5:30, Thurs. 9-7, Sat. 10-3 and Sun. by appointment.  Call 208-5260 to plan your party today!

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Come home to Bloomfield!

Bloomfield Main Street is inviting you to come home

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Phone: 641.664.2309 Fax: 641.664.2302 E-mail:  blmfdmainstreet@netins.net 
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