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12/15/2004
CHAMBER DOWNTOWN BANNER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS HISTORIC CORTLAND

Cortland, NY – A collaborative project coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce has led to the installation of colorful new Main Street banners in the City of Cortland. The banners, sponsored by more than 50 county businesses, have a historic theme.

“We worked with the Cortland County Historical Society and Graphics Plus Printing to select a handful of historic streetscape photos that could then be treated in a very contemporary fashion,” says Chamber executive director Garry VanGorder. “We couldn’t be happier with the results and I think everyone else will be pleased, too.”

This marks the fourth year of the Main Street banner program but the first installment run without the involvement of any outside vendor. “We lined up the business support, the banners were designed by GPP, produced by Sellco, and installed by the City of Cortland,” VanGorder said. “There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle but it’s great to see so many entities come together for a great community project.”

A second phase of the project will be the production of smaller-scale replicas and accompanying text describing each photo. These will be placed in storefront windows along Main Street for passersby to enjoy. “The photos weren’t just yanked out of a pile,” VanGorder said. “Each one has an interesting story to tell.”

The Chamber is also working with several other local communities to coordinate similar projects in their business districts.

“To be successful, our downtowns need to be attractive, they need to be vibrant and vital,” VanGorder said. “We think this helps.”


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