This past summer, the Citizen’s Task Force for Commercial Revitalization issued a formal proposal to establish an Economic Development Nonprofit in Haverford Township through which government, businesses, and residents could collaborate to facilitate business district revitalization throughout the community. The Citizen’s Task Force subsequently created a Working Group to Establish an Economic Development Nonprofit in Haverford Township comprised of residents, business owners and Township representatives that was tasked with improving the proposal and developing a process for establishing the proposed nonprofit organization. 

 

On Monday, November 23^rd  the Working Group held a public meeting, attended by interested business owners, commercial property owners, Township officials and residents, to formally establish the economic development corporation and elect its first Board of Directors. The vote by those in attendance resulted in the election of 9 Board members, including 3 owners or managers of businesses within Haverford Township (George Lavin, David Lyden, James Blumenstock), 3 commercial property owners (Brendan Goggin, Christina Dolan, Graham Wagner) and 3 Township residents (Jon Druhan, Don Kelly, Colette Bannan). An additional 3 members (Dan Siegel, Lori Hanlon-Widdop, and Chris Gaumann) were appointed by the Township of Haverford to serve as municipal government representatives to the Board.

 

The new Board of Directors will soon be convening several core committees (e.g. Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring), and they will create an advisory board. An Executive Director and additional staff will also be hired if appropriate funding becomes available.

 

The goal of this new non-profit is to promote and facilitate business district revitalization efforts throughout Haverford Township and ensure that these efforts are accomplished effectively and with optimal communication between all interested parties. Once it is fully operational, this new economic development corporation is to be the working group in which compelling visions and plans for revitalization can be hatched, vetted, and improved before final submission to existing public advisory and decision-making bodies.  It is to be the vehicle for raising and receiving funding. It is to be the forum where all the different stakeholders can meet, clarify their differences, and build on their shared goals. 

 

The new Board of Directors has been meeting frequently since their November election and they have made significant progress in setting objectives, establishing a formal operating structure and aligning on a common mission. They expect to be issuing further communications and getting core committees underway in the very near future.  Anyone interested in obtaining additional information on the structure, objectives, and activities of this new nonprofit organization may contact Brendan Goggin at bgoggin@oakmontnationalpub.com.   

SEPTA Update Meeting November 16, 2009

 

Township Residents/Business Owners,

 

SEPTA representative Jeff Knueppel will be speaking at our November 16, 2009 meeting to address questions and give an update as to the renovations of the two local R100 line stations at Ardmore Junction and Ardmore Avenue. 

 

We began the process of requesting improvements approximately two years ago and many small steps have been completed.  Although SEPTA has moved slowly, we are looking forward to hearing the complete plan and timeline from Mr. Knueppel. 

 

If you are a nearby resident or business owner and would like to hear it for yourself, please attend this important meeting.  We welcome questions and comments.  If you have a specific question which may require preparation by our speaker, please email the Civic Council, and we will alert Mr. Knueppel.

 

Hoping to have a successful meeting and certainly appreciate any input and constructive discussion all of you may like to contribute.

 

Best,

Jane F. Hall

Vice President

Haverford Township Civic Council

Announcing the Formation of the

 

HOMETOWN PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

A New Nonprofit Economic Development Corporation Serving Haverford Township

 

The Hometown Partnership for Economic Development (HPED) is a new nonprofit organization in Haverford Township through which government, businesses, and residents will collaborate to facilitate business district revitalization throughout the community.  

 

The HPED is to be the working group in which compelling visions and plans for revitalization can be hatched, vetted, and improved before final submission to existing public advisory and decision-making bodies.  It is to be the vehicle for raising and receiving funding.  It is to be the forum where all the different stakeholders can meet, clarify their differences, and build on their shared goals.  Eventually, the organization will employ full-time staff who can give continuous attention to the details of project management and implementation, and develop and share expertise with business and property owners, public officials, board members of the organization, and others.

 

The creation of the HPED is an exciting new initiative for our township… but we need your help to get it started!  

 

The Working Group to Establish an Economic Development Nonprofit in Haverford Township will be establishing the initial HPED Board of Directors at an upcoming meeting on Monday, November 23^rd and it is currently seeking nominations of eligible volunteers interested in serving on this Board.

 

The Board will consist of 3 owners or managers of businesses within Haverford Township, 3 commercial property owners, 3 Township residents and 3 representatives from the Township of Haverford municipal government.

 

The Board’s responsibilities will be to:  formulate and propose enhancement projects; identify streams of revenues and obtain funding for projects and programs; help business and commercial property owners to acquire funding for improvement projects; provide technical information, assistance and support services to businesses; manage and oversee projects and programs; organize events to promote business districts; hire professional staff; recruit and organize volunteers; build partnerships within and among stakeholder groups; and support the formation and development of business associations throughout the Township.

 

The HPED Board of Directors will also be responsible for establishing and leading four core committees (Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring) comprised of residents, business owners, and property owners who are not on the Board but have proven skills or expertise in each area, and they will select additional volunteers to form an HPED Advisory Board.

 

Anyone interested in serving on the HPED Board of Directors, Advisory Board or one of the committees should contact one of the following individuals as soon as possible to obtain additional information on the HPED structure, objectives, activities and nomination process:

 

Chris Whiting    (cwhiting@msn.com)

Margaret Kane-Walls  (KaneWalls@verizon.net)

Rick Van Luvender  (rjvanluvender@verizon.net)

Christina Dolan  (mscdolan@gmail.com)

Brendan Goggin  (bgoggin@oakmontnationalpub.com)

 

The deadline for Board of Director nominations is Monday, November 16^th.