SIDNEY — The Downtown Business Association (DBA) had a progressive and eventful 2016. Over 20 events and activities were held and the DBA worked with individuals and other organizations to bring events to the downtown area.
“New businesses opened and we saw the most successful Shop Small Saturday and holiday shopping season in years,” said Amy Breinich, Sidney Alive executive director.
Her report continues:
It is always delightful to see community members come together at the Great Sidney Farmer’s Market, enjoy music, food, games and more at any of our events or gathering at their favorite downtown business. None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors and community support. It is a wonderful feeling to know that our sponsors support our mission and vision for a better Downtown Sidney and in turn, a better Sidney and Shelby County. Thank you to the city of Sidney, Sidney Body CarStar, Advanced Composites, Alvetro Orthodontics, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Primary EyeCare Associates, Ron & Nita’s, Shelby County Focus, Shelby County Veteran’s Services, Sidney City Schools, Sidney Manufacturing, Inc., Sidney-Shelby County Visitor’s Bureau, Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, Spherion Staffing Services, Air Handling Equipment, Inc., Big Hammer Contracting, LLC., The Community Foundation of Shelby County, Creative Marketing Strategies, Emerson Climate Technologies, The Floor Store, Holiday Inn Express, The Ivy Garland, McCrate & Delate CPAs, Mutual Federal Savings Bank, Nationwide Insurance (Eilerman Insurance Agency), NKTelco, S & S Management, Inc., Sell, Hagemann, Zimmerman Co., LPASs, Vance and Linda Stewart, US Bank and Wilson Health.
Over the last 15-plus years, the DBA operated under the oversight of the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Following considerable thought and planning, the DBA was dissolved as an operating department of the Chamber at the close of 2016 and transitioned into a stand-alone 501c3 organization, Sidney Alive. The mission of Sidney Alive is “to nurture the growth of downtown Sidney while preserving our resources, increasing accessibility and benefitting the Shelby County community.” Sidney Alive will focus on advocacy, marketing, events and activities and resource development.
Today, downtowns are filling a special niche: to be places where people can have an active, convenient lifestyle. Creating that place is integral to attracting investment as well as retaining and creating jobs because more businesses are locating and expanding where people want to be – and people want to be in vibrant, diverse cities where they can live, work, play, and learn within walkable distances. The future belongs to those municipalities and citizens that take urban revitalization seriously. Individuals and families are looking for a place that provides them with creative office spaces, urban living options, walkability, unique boutiques, and great restaurants.
Revitalized, mixed-use buildings that provide great living spaces, professional, retail and food establishments are the future of your downtown Sidney. This requires both private and public organizations to work together to find the funding and best practices to make it happen. Sidney Alive is happy to work with the city of Sidney, Shelby County Commissioners, state of Ohio and the Federal Government to do our part in securing the future of Sidney and Shelby County. Together, our community can work together to take a cutting-edge approach to planning the renaissance of our historic Downtown Sidney and the beautiful spaces within it.
You can find information about Sidney Alive and downtown Sidney on our website (SidneyAlive.org) or on our social media (Facebook and Instagram). If you are interested in the volunteer and financial support opportunities available or more information about our organization, please feel free to contact me at 937-658-6945 or [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support and positivity.
