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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 fourth 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 4 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.
We enjoyed two major successes in 2008.
· First we developed a Design Guideline Handbook which is in compliance with the United States Secretary of the Interior’s ‘Standards for Rehabilitation and the Treatment of Historic Properties”. Based on these guidelines, we awarded two signage grants to downtown Benton merchants
· Second, we arranged to promote our downtown businesses to passing motorists on Interstate 57 through a state provided tourist attraction sign advertizing downtown Benton as an Antique Shopping district.
Other highlights for 2008:
· DBI organized and sponsored the third annual Antique Street Festival in June 2008. · DBI sponsored free concerts, twice each month during the summer at Capital Park · DBI became a sponsor of Benton’s popular summer ‘Cruise Nite Series’ · DBI facilitated the creation of a full-page advertisement promoting Benton’s downtown in the 2008 Official Southern Illinois Visitor Guide. · New business brochures were published and delivered to outlets all over Southern Ilinois · 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 hand Christmas decorations around the Public Square. · DBI sponsored the ‘Make It-Take It’ Wreath Class in November, a bow making and package decorating class, and a children’s ornament making class. · DBI also sponsored the arrival of Santa in December and Story Time with Santa.
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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. |