NORWAY – After operating under the umbrella of other groups since 2002, Norway Downtown Revitalization is striking out on its own.
The organization is applying for 501(c)3 status – status as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
At a meeting of the Norway Downtown Revitalization Board of Directors on Thursday, Program Manager Anne Campbell said the group’s bylaws and articles of incorporation have to be put together and signed, “Then (the application is) ready to go in the mail.”
President Roy Gedat said that when the application is approved by the IRS, “at that moment we will really be an official organization on our own.”
Gedat said that until now, the downtown revitalization group has asked the town and the Growth Council of Oxford Hills to act as fiscal sponsors, meaning they hold money and receive grant funds or donations on the organization’s behalf.
In other business, directors discussed plans to improve signs directing travelers to Main Street, and plans for street improvements that could include tree plantings and historical placards on some buildings.
Gedat said the revitalization group may receive between $20,000 and $30,000 for the projects. The money is expected to come from funds raised by Norway and the growth council to match funds for grants to improve the C.B. Cummings & Sons mill property.
Board member Jim Boucher said downtown revitalization should act quickly to create plans for the money, even if it is not released immediately. “If we want to establish more credibility as an organization, now that we have these funds, I think it is important that we establish some results with (them).”
Board members and interested people are invited to attended a design committee meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Norway Downtown Revitalization office on Main Street.
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