PHOTO BY DEBBIE CAMPBELL, STAFF
By: Debbie Campbell
What is the Fayette Community Development Corporation? The Corporation is comprised of a group of people that all have one thing in common – love for the Village of Fayette.
The CDC is a non-profit, volunteer organization that strives to promote and develop business and community growth throughout the Village of Fayette. Meetings are held monthly and are open to the public, so anyone that has an interest in Fayette is encouraged to attend. Home base for the CDC is the Fayette Opera House.
The CDC and the Opera House work very closely with each other. This year, the Board of the CDC has decided to start holding some of their meetings off site at various businesses throughout Fayette. This will allow the CDC to be able to highlight local businesses.
To become a member of the CDC all you have to do is pay an annual due of $25. Once the dues are paid you become a CDC member and can vote on all CDC business. The Board of the CDC is comprised of the following members: President Karen King, Vice President Lauren Lester, Treasurer Kathy Miller, Secretary Ruth Reynard.
Currently the CDC is working on a store front revitalization project. The Beautify Downtown Fayette Committee has said that Molitierno’s storefront will be the first store to be revitalized. The CDC is working closely with the owner. The goal of this project is to get other storeowners involved with hopes of attracting new businesses to Fayette.
To get the community involved the CDC sponsors various contests throughout the year. This past Christmas they held a contest and selected 3 houses in Fayette that were the best decorated. The winners were chosen by anonymous judges. Each winner received two complimentary tickets to an upcoming program of their choice at the Fayette Opera House.
The CDC also sponsored Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Fayette Opera House. This event was free and open to the public. During this time, children could visit with the Claus’s, decorate cookies and enjoy hot chocolate. Parents were encouraged to take pictures of their children with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Once a year the CDC holds their Annual Recognition Meeting. At this meeting they name the Citizens of the Year and recognize homeowners for having well-maintained homes or homeowners who have improved their property over the course of the year.
The slogan of the CDC is “Growing a Stronger Community Together.” This is in fact their main goal. They would love any new ideas on how to make Fayette a better place to live. If you love Fayette like the members of the CDC do, or you just want to find out more about the CDC check out their Facebook page.
Most meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month. You do not have to live in Fayette to be a member of the CDC. All you have to do is have an interest in the Village of Fayette and pay the $25 dues.
Debbie can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com