The California Progress, Inc. (CPI) Board of Directors discussed the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), a revolving loan fund, following a report from NAP Coordinator Ann Albertson. She explained any business owner in California can apply for a loan, which may range from $1,000 to $15,000, for terms of repayment ranging from one to five yeas. The loans are available for facade improvements.
Applications are being considered by several business owners in obtaining a no interest NAP loan for sidewalk replacement. Businesses are being contacted and made aware of the availability of the loans. A brochure is being prepared which will explain the NAP loans, and what the loans are eligible to be used for.
Offered through CPI, the purpose of the NAP loans are to provide an incentive towards upgrading and enhancing existing properties. Some of the eligible work would include landscaping, facade rehabilitation, sidewalks and existing lighting. For more information on the NAP loans, contact Ann Albertson at 573-796-4071.
The CPI Board heard reports on California Historic District (CHD) activities by several committee members. The following discussion involved the possibility and design of "Wayfinding" signs, decorative planters for the historic district, brochures for outreach and information to businesses about the NAP loans, a meeting to be held with the chairman of MRED, fundraising ideas, future events and the effort for "Branding" the historic district and the city.
The idea of "Branding" is setting a tourism image for an area, which can be a country, state, city, district within a city or an area. A good tourism brand is affected by a range of past and / or present events and actions. A tourism brand can make a large difference in how well an area differs from a competing destination. It can also bring those who have a stake in a positive outcome for the area or district in question to come together for a common goal. A brand may include a logo, a motto, an idea, and more relating in some way to the area being branded. The idea is to help the area branded for tourism to become a Tourism Destination.
CPI Board member Eleanor Tiefenbrun, also on the CHD Promotions Committee, is working on the Branding work.
Bill Campbell spoke to the CPI board about the possibility of contacting the owners of vacant buildings in the area, to see if they would be interested in donating a building which could be used for developing a business. Ownership of such a building is questionable. It is probable, according to the Board, that ownership of a building used for developing a business is probably not within the bylaws of the CPI, which is a 501 ( c ) 3 organization.
In other business, the Board approved changing the title of Susan Burger to Executive Director from Executive Secretary. The change was made for several reasons, tax and non profit incorporation guidelines.
The board also approved payment of $225 to continue the partnership of the organization with the Missouri Main Street Connection organization.
CPI officers for 2015 are: President Larry Kent, Vice president Alex McGill, Secretary Beth Jungmeyer and Treasurer Blake Howard. Members are: Mary Jo Garnett, Pam Green, Gail Hughes, Emilio Juarez, Norman Rohrbach, Charlie Roll, Eleanor Tiefenbrun and Connie Walker.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 19.