The Ellwood City Revitalization (ECR) committee partners closely with the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce and the Ellwood City Council to dedicate efforts toward restoring the local community in order to invite businesses, families and visitors back into the area – ultimately as an attempt to encourage local economy growth.
The organization has already made several additions to the town over the past few years including the Ellwood City Plaza, the seasonal Farmers’ Market, the Comfort Station, and now they have their eyes set on reinstalling the much needed lighting, which will be attached to arches that were removed from phase one, allowing concerts to take place after dark in the community plaza.
As opposed to raising the money for the installation by using tax dollars, the organization plans to host occasional fund raisers instead.
The Winter Wine and Brew Fest, which is scheduled for Saturday January 28, is their first attempt to raise money for the cause, and Brad Ovial, the ECR president remains hopeful that the fest will prove to be a great fundraiser.
“It’s something that people can enjoy doing, there will be a wide variety of wines and brews to sample as well as live entertainment, food, and raffles. It will be a really good time.”
The event will be hosted at the S.O.I building, 808 Lawrence Ave., from 12p.m. to 5p.m. and tickets are $20 per person in advance, $25 per person at the door. Tickets can be purchased via any members of the ECR committee and through the chamber office.
Businesses are also encouraged to sponsor the event and more information about sponsorships can be obtained through Caroline Golmic by calling 412-956-9758 or by email at Caroline_Ovial@us.aflac.com.
The events turn out will be a deciding factor on how many more fundraisers ECR will be pursing in the future, but in the meantime they will be awaiting grant money and contributions to get some local buildings restored.
“It all ties in with the rest of the revitalization projects going on Downtown right now, this is just our way of raising money for projects as opposed to using tax dollars,” Ovial stated.
Ovial believes this is just a small step in the overall greatness to come for the future of Ellwood City.
That Great, why not get local business owners to spruce up buildings. Like the one across from burger king. the side is an eyesore, at least paint the thing