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MISSION STATEMENT
Stimulate economic growth and revitalization Foster a spirit of community teamwork Promote community pride Preserve our historic inheritance Emphasize Benton’s uniqueness Market Benton as a great place to visit, shop, play, and live |
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Downtown Benton, Inc. , is beginning it’s fifth year in the Illinois Main Street Program! Established in 2005, Downtown Benton, Inc. was incorporated for the sole purpose of revitalizing Benton’s historic commercial district. Our not-for-profit corporation, managed by volunteers, utilizes the National main Street program’s four point approach, i.e. Design, Organization, Promotions, and Economic Restructuring to address the complex process of downtown revitalization.
It is our sincere belief that a healthy, viable downtown business district is crucial to the heritage, economic health and civic pride of our community. We intend to provide our children as well as all future generations the opportunity to enjoy our downtown area the way we did when our Public Square and the immediately adjacent areas were the center of the activity in Benton.
Over the past 5 years we have worked hard for the betterment of our community, to support our business partners, and market Benton as a great place to visit, shop, play, and live.
Major successes in 2009.
· Due to the success of the Antique Street Festival, DBI is planning to expand this into a two day event to draw even more vendors and guests.
· Our tourist attraction sign on Interstate 57, advertizing downtown Benton as an Antique Shopping district continues to draw guests to our central business district.
· Based on community and partner feedback, DBI, launched it’s new and improved website in April 2009. · Based on community and partner feedback, DBI redesigned and updated their newsletter and increased publication from annual to quarterly.
· DBI, increased both it’s community partners and number of volunteers in 2009 with emphasis on continuing to increase both another 20% in 2010.
Other highlights for 2009:
· DBI organized and sponsored the first annual Antique Automobile Show in May 2009 · DBI organized and sponsored the fourth annual Antique Street Festival in June 2009 · DBI sponsored free concerts each month during the summer at Capital Park · DBI sponsored Benton’s popular summer ‘Cruise Night Series’ · DBI facilitated the creation advertisement promoting Benton’s downtown in the 2009 Official Southern Illinois Visitor Guide. · DBI organized and sponsored several fundraisers throughout the year including our new ‘Girls Night Out’ in November. · A drive through downtown will reveal our new banners and the fresh appearances of Malkovich Park and the planters around the square. The design and work was provided by our partners, Benton Town and Country Garden Club. · DBI volunteers decorated Capital Park, Malkovich Park, decorated the Community Christmas Tree, and braved the bitterly cold weather to hang Christmas decorations around the Public Square. · DBI sponsored the ‘Make It Take It Class Christmas Centerpiece class and a bow making and package decorating class. · DBI also sponsored Story Time with Santa and the arrival of Santa downtown.
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About Us |
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Click The Links Below To Learn More About Downtown Benton, Inc. |
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Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn officially recognized Benton as an Illinois Main Street Community on September 26, 2008.
DBI Vice President, Mike Wyant III, State Senator Gary Forby, DBI Executive Director Sharon Pioveson and Lt. Governor Pat Quinn view the unique Main Street sign. One of these will be posed on each highway leading into Benton. |