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DLI looks to future of its organization

PA Downtown Center weighs in on significance of Keystone designation

LEWISTOWN — Downtown Lewistown Inc. held a board meeting on Wednesday where it discussed the future of the organization and what role it will play in the community.

DLI hosted a representative from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, who discussed with the board how to take advantage of its Keystone Communities

designation.

Dave Zellers has been conducting an assessment on DLI and helping it navigate with the limited amount of money available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

“You need to show outcomes and measurable progress … you have to develop a strategy in moving forward,” Zellers said.

DLI has accomplished a lot in the eyes of many over those years, as it has been a part of numerous projects in Lewistown. With its Keystone Communities designation, it has also proven to be sustainable for the first five years of the program.

There were many ideas kicked around the table as to what DLI’s new focus should be. Whether that is similar to community and economic development projects of the past, remains to be seen.

At present, DLI has partnered with several organizations within the Keystone Communities zone to submit grant proposals to DCED on its behalf.

If it comes to fruition, DLI would generate a percentage fee for at least two of the grant proposals, which involve local businesses. This, in turn, could further help to shore up any potential shortfalls in its operating budget.

President of DLI Jon Zimmerman said the board was more diverse than similar organizations in the state.

“This is such a good cross-section of folks in the community,” he said.

Despite the diversity of the board, Zellers encouraged DLI to reach out to other portions of the community that were currently underrepresented on the board to develop more partnerships.

Zimmerman said no other organization similar to DLI has accomplished what they have.

“Now that we have this designation, what are we going to do with it?” he asked.

“How do we use this vehicle to advance the whole community?”DLI Executive Director Jim Zubler asked.

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