A new business directory is being developed to help Malvern and Brown Township businesses get more visibility, and hopefully to grow and stimulate the local economy.
"The Malvern Community Development Fund has been working for the past several years to update the downtown area," says Alan Artzner, president of the fund. "We have added streetlights, replaced sidewalks and plan to add new flower planters in the spring. Our next goal is to attract more retail businesses to the downtown area, but board members are aware that will be difficult in this economy."
When Susan Joyce, Malvern's Community Development coordinator, and Linda Faa, a member of the development board, were working on the 2009 Dancing on the Bridge mailing list, however, they were surprised to find nearly 100 local businesses on the list. Since then Joyce has been working to identify other Malvern and Brown Township businesses and her list now exceeds 250 names.
Joyce and Faa wondered if it might be better to help small businesses grow, than to try to find new businesses to locate in Malvern. Many of the current businesses are small, home-based and invisible to residents. The question is, "How many have the potential to grow, add employees and perhaps someday have a shop in Malvern?"
When Joyce and Faa brought this information to the Malvern Community Development Board and the Brown Township trustees, both organizations agreed to help support the development of a business directory for the Malvern/Brown Township area.
"We have a variety of local products and services, but many residents - especially Lake Mohawk property owners who have weekend homes here - may not know where to find them," said Faa, who is chairman of the project. "Lake Mohawk currently has approximately 950 homes and it is estimated 40 percent of homeowners have primary residences elsewhere."
"When we looked in the yellow pages, most of the businesses we know of were not listed. We think businesses need a less expensive way to get their information to every home and business in the township. This directory will help them do just that," Joyce said.
"The Malvern-Brown Township Business Directory is limited to businesses located here and copies of it will be delivered to every home in the area and to Lake Mohawk property owners who have primary residences outside the area. We are planning to print approximately 5,000 copies," said Joyce.
"We are very pleased to lend support to this project," said Rod Wise, Brown Township trustee. "The book will list all businesses by category like artists, builders, caterers, child care, house cleaners, landscapers, pet groomers, photographers, picture framers, plumbers, sewing and alterations, snow plowers, Web site developers, those who sell firewood and many other goods and services."
If a business wishes to promote several aspects of its products or services, it can purchase a display ad. A basic listing will cost a business $10 per year. Display ads are available for $25 and $50.
"Our first challenge is to inform all businesses about the directory and get them a form to purchase a listing or display ad," said Joyce. "We don't have a complete mailing list to start with, so we need a lot of help promoting this project. We will mail advertising information to businesses on our list and anyone who does not receive a form can get one by calling, or picking up one from, Malvern Village Hall at 330-863-1316, or the Brown Township Trustees Rod Wise, 330-863-1937, Joe Chiurco, 330-863-6060, and Ed Clark, 330-863-0536; or from the bulletin-board display at the Malvern Post Office."
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