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ROY working ‘to bring back vitality and enthusiasm’

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Participants in a meeting to discuss moving Youngsville forward discuss their dreams and goals Wednesday at the borough office.

Since 2004, Revitalization of Youngsville (ROY) has been working to live up to its title.

It has yielded a number of positive changes over the years and is now looking to revitalize its own efforts.

On Wednesday, ROY hosted a meeting of local movers and shakers to gather and share ideas.

There were about 20 people in attendance – business owners, agency directors, government leaders, and concerned citizens.

The good life that Youngsville offers includes being able to walk to the grocery store, the schools, and the post office, having a hike/bike trail, a pool, a YMCA, and other recreation facilities within its boundaries, and a community feel. There is even a ready supply of people passing through.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Julie Ferrand takes notes Wednesday regarding obstacles facing the revitalization of Youngsville during a community meeting.

But those people are passing through and not stopping.

“We have to get people to get off at that stop light,” Paula Dunn said.

The group set out on a preliminary mission of identifying some goals and some challenges.

“My goal is to bring Youngsville back… to bring back the vitality, to bring back the enthusiasm, and make it more friendly,” Barbara Young – Youngsville Heart and Soul Program coordinator – said.

Obstacles to the goals included: funding, staffing, communications, promotion, awareness, internet access, and mindsets.

The large group broke up into four areas intended to help overcome the obstacles – design, promotion, economics, and organization – for brief brainstorming sessions.

The design group came up with some solutions for extending and connecting the hike/bike trail as well as improving some signage in the community.

The promotion group wanted to see QR codes used to guide visitors and residents alike to community events – and in holding events to “get the kids downtown and invested in the community,” Kim Slocum said.

Economics also wanted to see young people invested in the community. As part of its workforce focus, the group looked at opportunities for career training through existing entities and potential new ones.

Organization suggested there be a singular person to act as point-of-contact and to encourage a sense of community through events “where people can get together,” Young said.

The meeting was as much a networking opportunity as anything else.

“Hopefully this introduction will help you reach out to each other,” Coordinator Nancy Holmberg of ROY said. “We have great challenges. But we also have great opportunities. It’s not as big a job as it seems if we’re all reaching out.”

The group arranged a follow-up meeting for 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the borough building.

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