SHARON — An effort to bolster Sharon’s image and quality of life is yielding results as small businesses pop up downtown and people clean up their neighborhoods.

“The city’s benefiting from creating a stir and energy in the community,” said Sharon Community and Economic Development Commission Chairman John Evans.

Hundreds of citizens have come together, said Laura Ackley, a member of the commission and chairman of the group’s downtown revitalization committee.

Their efforts are making the city a “great place to live, work and grow,” she said, parroting the phrase that’s being used as the motto for the city’s latest rebranding effort.

The city is trying to capitalize on the Shenango River, home to events like the annual Small Ships Revue and the in-the-works “Waterfire” project, as the key to revitalizing the community.

“It’s about the water. It can be our anchor. It can be our savior as far as I’m concerned,” Ackley said.

The river’s been incorporated into a new symbol that will be on signs, stickers and more, Ackley said.

“It’s limitless what we can do,” she said.

Members of the commission on Thursday unveiled their new logo to council, which was so well-received city officials may adopt it as the official city seal, which currently has a drawing of a steel mill and smokestacks.

“River or smokestacks – where do you want to live?” asked commission member the Rev. Adam Trambley.

Commission members also shared the new pitch book the group’s put together that will be available for prospective residents or business owners to see what’s going on in the city.

“We want to put our best assets forward,” Evans said.

Books will be provided to area business and agencies to hand out.

“We’re very proud of this,” Evans said.

The commission can offer assistance through things like its revamped revolving loan program, the arts and culture committee, a quarterly newsletter and its Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, which is working to clean up properties in neighborhoods “on the edge,” said Trambley, committee chairman.

Evans said the city gets a lot of negative publicity but if people look at all the good things happening – many of which are mentioned in the book – “it’s really quite impressive.”

Trambley noted that this movement began with visioning sessions a couple years ago where dozens of people talked about where they’d like to see the city and how to get there.

“Things like this are working on that,” Trambley said.

Ackley said they’ve seen a “gargantuan shift in volunteerism” in the last couple years, with folks doing everything from donating and hanging flowers downtown to cleaning up abandoned lots.

That base of good people and what they’ve started is a “huge strength we’re going to be able to build on,” Trambley said.

Ackley has set up a Facebook page for the commission that got 100 “likes” in 24 hours.

“I was so excited I couldn’t stand myself,” she said with a laugh.

Ackley, who has a background in marketing and runs the Buhl Mansion and Donna’s Diner in Sharon, encouraged followers to like and share things on the page.

“That’s what social media is all about,” she said.

Councilman Bill James said he hears people talking regularly about how the city’s changed in looks and character recently and commended the commission.

“The community is taking ownership of the community,” said council Vice President Ed Palanski.

Created in 2009 to help advise city leaders on economic matters, the group has gone “above and beyond” that task, Evans said.

“It’s produced results like this. It’s a real pleasure to be associated with folks like these that put their heart and soul into something,” Evans said.  

Council President Victor Heutsche said he was pleasantly surprised by what’s happened with the group.

“I never envisioned how good it was going to be. Thanks to all of you,” he said.

City Manager Scott Andrejchak credited the people of Sharon for changing the community from within and shaping its future.

“The commission and all the volunteers represent a model citizenship that we should all aspire to,” he said. “I look up to all of them and I try every day not to let them down.”



The commission’s next meeting is at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 16 in the city building.