The reshuffling of a Lehighton committee poised to revitalize the downtown business district is underway.

A reorganizational meeting of the Lehighton Downtown Initiative Committee was held Tuesday inside borough hall.Nearly 20 people gathered to restructure and reorganize the LDIC, which formed in 2007.Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said membership fell apart over time, and a change in leadership is needed.Beckett said the goal is to have a committee that would serve as a liaison between the community and the borough.She said, "this has been an endless journey for the borough to pull this together.""We want to play on the assets we have," she said. "There is so much potential; we want to feed off that."Resident Jim Henderson said it's important to promote the positive aspects of the downtown, coordinate development efforts, and take small steps at a time.Henderson estimated the process could take anywhere from seven to 10 years as the borough attempts to increase business in the downtown.He said an election of officers must eventually occur.The goal is to have committees work together on branding and events, fundraising, and communications and media.Beckett used the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership as an example."Tamaqua's process has taken over 20 years," she said. "They're a success story, and they continue to be a success story."It was noted that a Hippy Run will be held in the borough April 25.Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, who has been working with the borough on an assessment report completed by the National Main Street Center and received through a grant from the Carbon County Realtors Association, said it's Lehighton's turn to shine.She added "this needs to be a community effort."Beckett said the borough has ramped up its code enforcement efforts and plans to get rid of some of the blighted properties.Several members praised the recently dedicated Lehighton Trailhead of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Trail on Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard.Kathy Henderson said the riverfront area could eventually be a major source of development.Beckett asked several business owners to discuss the current state of their businesses.Kevin Ruch, owner of 14 Acre Farm Gourmet Eatery at 158 S. First St., said visitors tend to have a negative perception of his business due to its location."Overall, business is fine," Ruch said."The biggest negative impression is around the boulevard."Peggy Ehret, who owns KB Krafts Boutique, at 166 S. First St., said she's trying her best to hold on to her business."I was going to close this year," Ehret said. "My husband talked me into trying to stick it out."Tracy Saunders, who owns the Styling Zone at 131 S. First St., shared her thoughts."My business is very good," Saunders said."I'm just looking at parking."Proceeds raised through fundraising will be spent on capital improvements and community events.The next meeting of the LDIC will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 12 in borough hall.