A proposal to create a borough economic development and town beautification committee is moving forward in Slatington.

Earlier this month, Slatington Borough approved to advertise the Beautification Committee Ordinance.

The Economic Development and Town Beautification Committee is designed to be an advisory committee to the borough council in the same format as the Parks & Recreation Committee, council President Ryan Mayberry said.

“Its main purpose is to assist with identifying areas of concern and designing solutions in order to restore our economic areas and make the town look better,” Mayberry said. “By becoming an official arm of the borough, this will allow us to apply and administer grants and development programs such as Main Street Matters, on behalf of the borough.”

Mayberry said many of the grants are offered through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

“This is an effort led by citizens who want to improve Slatington and make it a nicer place to live in and do business. We have had several members who have pitched in to get this project off the ground in November of 2024, and I want to thank them for the time they have committed to this,” Mayberry said.

As a volunteer group, Mayberry said the committee has started several projects, such as cleaning and replanting Veterans Memorial Park and a town clean-up day.

The committee is in the process of identifying and advertising all empty commercial properties that are for sale into a catalog.

“This will help small businesses to locate a space, and to help them get started,” Mayberry said. “We are hoping for grants to help new businesses to do upgrades to the buildings like improving and upgrading the wiring.

“We have natural resources like the trailhead and the Lehigh River. We are hoping to attract different businesses like perhaps a bike shop, outdoor recreation, and a sporting goods store.”

He said the next project could be the West End Park, 615 W. Washington St.

“We want to bring back the glory that residents long for,” Mayberry said.