Prosperous downtowns don't 'just happen'

A prosperous downtown is built by businesses acting as one. The Downtown Sandpoint Business Association is here for the business community to use as one of the more powerful tools in your business toolbox. Visit our Web site at www.downtownsandpoint.com and look at the opportunities, promotions, events and business calendar to see how your business and your business community can benefit from your participation.

There is an old saying: Some people make things happen, some people watch what happens, and some people wonder what happened.

When you think of all the things that “happen,” how often do you think about what goes on behind the scenes to make events, projects and promotions happen?

What does a business improvement district do for you and your business community?

What happens in downtown Sandpoint doesn’t “just happen.”

Grants to fund downtown beautification and improvements don’t “just happen.”

Representation of downtown business interests at city of Sandpoint meetings and committees doesn’t “just happen.”

Sidewalks, lights, parking, signage, public art, zoning, parks, project timing, traffic and street management, holiday lights and decorations in our downtown, don’t “just happen.”

Summer flowers in our downtown, don’t “just happen.”

Planning, coordination, promoting and financial support of downtown events, doesn’t “just happen.” Those events include Crazy Days, Sandpoint Wooden Boat Festival, Oktoberfest, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Hometown Holiday two-month promotion, Downtown Santa, Winter Carnival, Mardi Gras, Sand Creek clean up, Downtown clean up, Lost in the ’50s, Bike to Work Week, Sandpoint Summer Sampler, Taste of Sandpoint, as well as individual business events.

Coordination with the city of Sandpoint and Waste Management for trash, recycling and downtown clean up, doesn’t “just happen.”

Advertising and promotions locally, in state, out of state and Canada, don’t “just happen.”

Coordination with the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, tour groups and the Canadian market promoting downtown Sandpoint as a destination, doesn’t “just happen.”

A viable and vibrant Downtown Business Community, doesn’t “just happen.”

Your business improvement district is an investment in our downtown business community.

Remember, the best way to define your business community’s future direction is for you to get involved. Give me at call at 255-1876 and get on board.

Kathleen Hyde is the manager of the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association.