A group aimed at revitalizing downtown Tryon’s economy has identified its next steps and is asking for the public’s involvement.

Concerned residents and business owners attended a brainstorming session July 9 and identified Tryon’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Organizers have now identified short and long-term goals and created six study teams to focus on 1) downtown business development, 2) growth management, 3) new downtown attractions/festivals, 4) beautification, 5) government issues and 6) communication strategies.

Andy Millard, one of the organizers, said the overwhelming message coming out of the brainstorming session was the desire to have an organized process for rebuilding downtown Tryon’s economy.

Jeanne Brittingham and Margie Panky are working to organize the “mountain” of data collected, said Millard.

The short-term challenge for downtown Tryon is filling empty spaces downtown and attracting sufficient shoppers to keep businesses going.

One long-term challenge, organizers have identified is creating a reliable, sustainable stream of visitors/tourists to provide customers in sufficient numbers “to keep downtown Tryon humming well into the future.”

“There are plenty of creative ideas for meeting the challenges, and it may be tempting to pick two or three ideas and run with them,” Millard said. “But to do so without examining all options in the light of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats would be rash.”

Organizers strongly encourage anyone who wants to be a part of the process to get on the email list by sending your name and email address to tryonbrainstorming@yahoo.com. Organizers are then asking for individuals to indicate which group(s) they wish to be a part and for all work to be complete by the end of August.