Old Settlers Day Association supports newly formed Columbia City Downtown Business Association
(Talk of the Town photo provided) Representing the Old Settlers Day Association and the former New Century Downtown, Jim Brock presents a donation to Columbia City Downtown Business Association president Steve Hostetler. From left is Jim Brock, Steve Hostetler, Jim Landrum and Steve Richcreek.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A local organization with a shared vested interest in the success of revitalization efforts in downtown Columbia City has given the Columbia City Downtown Business Association a generous gift.
This week, representatives from the Old Settlers Day Association presented a donation to the group in hopes of helping them with their promotional and organizational efforts.
"During the planning process for this year's community donations on behalf of the Old Settlers Day Association, the newly formed Downtown Columbia City Business Association came to mind as being a worthy recipient," said OSDA president Jim Brock.
The OSDA also noticed a similarity in focus and interest between the CCDBA and an older, now defunct group, New Century Downtown.
"This organization's main focus is providing for the well-being of the downtown area -- as was the former New Century Downtown; an organization that was active during the 1990s with the downtown streetscape project," said Brock. Brock had been involved in New Century Downtown and sees the spark of activity that group once had present in the newly formed organization.
"New Century Downtown still had some unused funds in account with the Whitley County Community Foundation. Those funds have now been donated to the Downtown Columbia City Business Association in order to assist them in their efforts and promotions," Brock said.