Saluda citizens have put more than $2,000 behind their wishes for the community.
The city’s Small Town Main Street (STMS) committee launched a community fund called Locavestor in December. As of Dec. 31 the fund totaled $2,050 in donations.
Saluda City Commissioner Carolyn Ashburn provided an update on the fund during the city’s Monday, Jan. 13 meeting.
“For those of you who don’t know about it, Locavestor stands for local investor and that is someone who invests monetarily to downtown Saluda,” Ashburn said. “We currently have $2,050 and we want this money to be used for beautification projects, streetscape projects, special events and also for businesses to apply for extra signage or whatever they might need.”
Saluda City Commissioner Lynn Cass brought the idea of locavestors back to Saluda after attending a STMS conference last year.
“I hesitated for a while about bringing it locally, but we are always needing extra funds for small projects and this is a way for everyone to contribute,” Cass said. “It doesn’t matter if you can offer $5 or $250.”
Cass said the initial word was sent out to citizens through email and through Saluda Lifestyles.
Anyone who invests $250 will have his or her name placed on a plaque in Pace Park when it is complete. There will also be Locavestor stickers made for vehicles. Names of the people who have contributed are also listed in Saluda Lifestyles each month.
Cass said the smallest grant the group will administer will be $500 and the business will have to match it. She said smaller amounts will be available as well.
“We certainly feel like the businesses are the heart of the community and we want them to do well and prosper. Supporting our local business community is vital,” Ashburn said.
If anyone wants to donate to the locavestor effort, a check can be made to the City of Saluda, which will allow the donation to be tax deductible. In the “For” line of the check make sure to note that the money is for the locavestor fund.
“The more you are invested the better your community will be,” Cass said. “We want any community member to be involved at the level they can contribute.”
The Saluda STMS committee meets Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. in the meeting room above the Saluda Library.