The Town of Tryon is proposing changes to its way-finding signage around town to help visitors find local businesses.

Tryon Town Council met Dec. 15 and discussed issues with current directional signs, located mostly downtown and approaching downtown, which were placed a few years ago.

Tryon Community Development Director Paula Kempton said people are not being directed to some areas of town.

Pacolet Street businesses were discussed, with directional signage being difficult to place.

Kempton showed council before and after pictures of the current signage, with ideas of additions and deletions to the signs.

A current sign across from town hall points people to the direction of N. Trade St./Hwy. 176, Harmon Field, Tryon Arts and Crafts, the Tryon Youth Center and Pearson’s Falls. Kempton suggested adding “retail shops” to that sign. Other way finding signs are suggested to take out individual organizations and add verbiage such as “retail shops, businesses and services.”

Town staff asked the mayor and commissioners for ideas on the signs, saying they may not want to remove any names but add to the signs.

Commissioner Bill Ingham said the town wouldn’t be able to put individual names of businesses, but could put types of businesses.

Mayor Alan Peoples said the complaints he’s heard are that businesses outside of the city limits are getting recognized and ones within city limits are not getting recognized.

“I think it’s important we support local businesses,” said commissioner Crys Armbrust, “especially with people unfamiliar with our town.”

Tryon Planning Board Chair John Walters asked if the town would allow Kempton to work with the planning board. Walters mentioned the difficult location for the Pacolet Street corner.

Council authorized Kempton to move forward with changes to the signs, to work with the planning board for a solution and to present her proposals at council’s January meeting. Council also authorized funding for the changes to the signs.

Tryon will meet again on Tuesday, Jan. 19.