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Haverford Business Developments
December 2016
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Annual Meeting Celebrated
a Decade of Change
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Nearly 50 business owners, civic leaders, and residents came to our annual meeting in November to connect with each other and HPED. Board President Brendan Goggin began the presentation with the many reasons we can celebrate in 2016.
"This has been a big year for HPED. We have developed a strong relationship with the new economic development committee of the board of commissioners, received unanimous approval from the board for funding, hired our first Business Development Manager, and succeeded in making improvements to several business districts."
Commissioner Larry Holmes spoke about the role of the new Economic Development Committee of the Board of Commissioners and the importance of partnership as we moved forward in Haverford Township. "We will be working with HPED on developing a five-year economic development plan, in conjunction with the broader Comprehensive Plan for Haverford Township. I have full confidence in HPED to help the Township accomplish our goals," reported Holmes.
Business Development Manager Jeanne Angell and Township Commissioner Mario Oliva presented a compelling slide show about the physical transformation of the Township over the past ten years. Angell reported "I am proud to say that we are witnessing a change in the look and feel of our community. You can see it all around the Township. It is easy to forget what Haverford Township looked like ten years ago."
"Larry Gentile, our Township Manager, has embraced the idea of beautifying the community, with support from the Board of Commissioners. The transformation of our streetscapes during his tenure has been remarkable.
Residents in Haverford Township are thrilled about these changes, and people in neighboring towns are taking notice. This is a new Haverford Township and over the next few years we are sure to see additional revitalization and growth."
Commissioner Oliva, who serves on the HPED Board and the Economic Development Committee, thanked the Township staff, fellow commissioners, HPED, and other civic groups for the
progress that has happened over the past decade. "This has been a great example of community bi-partisan effort. While of course we have more work to do, I am very proud of our accomplishments so far, " declared Oliva.
Brendan Goggin and Vice President Don Kelly discussed the various HPED projects and programs that can serve the local business community and the ways businesses and residents can get involved.
Goggin pointed out "None of us can do this work alone. We will need to work together, each contributing to the whole. For the Township, that will mean financial support and helping us create a long-term vision; for HPED, that will mean listening to the needs and concerns of businesses as we manage projects and create programs; for businesses, that may mean getting more involved in the community, organizing in your business district, making façade improvements, or keeping your sidewalk swept and weeded; for residents, it may mean joining a committee, helping out at a planting day, or making an effort to Shop Local."
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We need participation and support from both businesses and residents. I hope you join us in our efforts to make Haverford Township the best it can be! If you haven't become a member yet, click on the link below to download our membership form, which outlines the membership benefits.
Resident Membership $25
Business Membership $100
Gold Level Supporter $250
Platinum Sponsor $500
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Let your Lights Shine during HPED's
Annual Holiday Decorating Contest!
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Local businesses are invited to participate in our Annual Holiday Decorating Contest again this year!
The HPED will be awarding certificates and providing publicity to the first, second and third place winners in the following categories:
- Most Beautiful Window Display
- Most Creative Window Display
- Most Effective Marketing Window Display
- Most Whimsical Window Display
- Most Beautiful External Building Decoration
In addition, the public will vote on-line to select an overall People’s Choice winner.
A panel of 10 judges will view all commercial and institutional windows and facades in Haverford Township beginning on Thursday, December 8th. Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 15th. On-line voting for People’s Choice will be from December 21-31 at www.hped.org.
No registration is required to be considered but advising HPED of your intent to compete would be helpful. Contact donaldkelly@aol.com
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Lizelle's Bridal Boutique - Most Creative 2015
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Centrella's - Most Beautiful Facade 2015
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Library - Most Creative 2014
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Gans Plumbing - Most Effective Marketing 2015
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Shop Local Campaign offers
Holiday Coupon Mailer for HPED Members
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As a service to our HPED members, we will be exploring a variety of ways to encourage residents to support our local business community. If you are a current dues-paying business member, we invite you to offer a special promotion during the month of December which we will distribute in a Shop Local email. This promotion might entail a 10% or 20% discount, buy one item get the second half-off, a freebie with purchase, or a free service for first-time customers. Customers could print the coupon or receive the promotion by mentioning HPED. In addition to our email coupon mailer, HPED will advertise the promotion on facebook and on our website. Participating businesses and community members will be encouraged to forward and share the announcement.
If you are interested, please email the details to Jeanne Angell at angellsrus@comcast.net by Wednesday, November 30th at noon. Please let us know the name of your business and address, what your offer is, and send us your logo or a photo if you have one.
If you would like to join as a business member, please use the membership form link shown above.
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First Wednesday Dining Club enters 3rd Year
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Two years ago, while having dinner with his wife Christine, HPED Vice President Don Kelly had an idea to create a First Wednesday Dining Club for Haverford Township restaurants.
"I realized if we want our local restaurants to succeed, we need to encourage people to patronize them during the slow times," explained Kelly.
The club was an immediate hit with residents and restaurants alike, and now boasts a mailing list of close to 100!
Kelly arranges a prix fix dinner for 25-40 residents with 2-3 selections as well as a chance to meet the owner or chef during the dinner. It is a great way to try new restaurants, support local businesses, and build a sense of community.
Now that the club has tried many of the restaurants in the Township, HPED will offer it every other month in 2017. We will go to some of restaurants we haven't tried yet, and go back to some of our favorites!
For more information, contact
Donald Kelly.
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Beautification Efforts Continue
The Haverford Partnership for Economic Development (HPED) and it's initiative Haverford in Bloom have been busy this year! Have you noticed the new planters and gardens around town? With support from Haverford Township, Haverford Township Civic Council, Haverford Township Rotary, the MKM Foundation, and donations from businesses, we are transforming the look of our community!
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Our next project will be to add raised planter beds on the concrete medians on Darby Road in Llanerch. The materials have been ordered and will be installed next winter and spring.
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We will also be purchasing planters for Darby Road in Oakmont between Brick and Brew and the MAB Paint Store.
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Thanks to our Platinum & Gold Level Supporters!
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HPED has been working on behalf of our business districts since its inception in 2010. From business district beautification projects to business networking events, from public information sessions on new development to presentations to the Board of Commissioners to request project funding, our goals have been the same - to foster the development, breadth and growth of our business districts while maintaining and enhancing the inherent charm of our community.
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