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CASTLE SHANNON REVITALIZATION CORPORATION
Meeting with Brian Graham
Brentwood Business Owners Association
February 2, 2010
Mike Warhold gave Mr. Graham a brief background description about Castle Shannon Revitalization Corporation, and the discussed the lack of a chamber of commerce or rotary club for Castle Shannon businesses. Mr. Warhold is trying to rally the businesses to get involved in a business owners association.
Mr. Graham stated that a school board member and council member always attend their meetings to keep each entity up to date and involved. Mr. Graham stated that a website is key to keeping the business owners informed of dates and events. Mr. Warhold stated that Mr. Munson would be willing to set up a website for the organization, and Mr. Munson wants to be involved in the association.
Mr. Graham described how the association was formed by five businessmen called the Pentagon many years ago, and the association has grown in number to 130 members. The association was able to complete streetscape projects such as replacing decorative street lights, providing hanging baskets outside businesses, and purchasing new trash cans and outdoor Christmas décor. They were recently able to secure funds to purchase a bucket truck for the borough. Annual dues are $100 per year. Two business meetings are planned each month; one for the directors meeting and one as a luncheon for the business members.
The association sponsors many community events that are funded by grants from local legislative representatives such as an annual business person awards dinner, a tailgate party at Brentwood Town Square with buses provided to take spectators to a pirate game, the Brentwood parade, a community day type event in town with all businesses having an open house, an Octoberfest, etc. The local legislators attend the events and get great exposure to the residents (aka voters). The BBOA also provides a shredding day where business and residents can bring their boxes of confidential papers to shred.
Providing a microphone at the St. Winnifred's donation box for the borough's community day where people and children could state their names and make a donation was suggested.
BBOA does have a quarterly newsletter, but Mr. Graham admitted it is hard to get people to write articles, and the newsletter is not fully funded by advertising.
BBOA does not have a purchasing consortium for bulk pricing of office supplies or health insurance, and they are not a 501(c)(3).
Mr. Warhold discussed the contacts that he has made through the PA Downtown Center, PA Connects, and Sustainable Pittsburgh.
Mr. Graham stated that they are now contemplating having a welcome package delivered to new residents to inform them of the local businesses. The BBOA does provide a ribbon cutting ceremony for all new businesses openings, and suggested contacting the South Hills News Record for articles.
Basically, a meeting will need to be scheduled for the business owners. and the group will need to elect four officers to run the association, i.e. president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. Then a set of by-laws will have to be adopted, and it is very important to keep minutes of all the meetings.
Mr. Warhold thanked Mr. Graham for his information, and Mr. Graham offered his assistance if needed in the future.
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