Greater Enterprise Main Streets spearheads effort to place highly visible sign at the entrance to Enterprise; construction of $45,000 project expected to start in spring of 2014 and be completed by 2015

There will be no mistaking where you are when a new Bowlby stone sign is installed along Highway 82 outside of Enterprise.

Mary Swanson of Greater Enterprise Main Streets, or GEMS, the city’s nonprofit focused on increasing business and raising the city’s visibility to visitors, said people often say they don’t know where Enterprise is.

“I’ll ask people haven’t you been to Joseph? And they say, ‘Yes’. And I’ll say, then you have been to Enterprise,” Swanson said.

GEMS has started raising the $45,000 necessary for the sign and asked the city council for one third of the cost, to be paid out over two years, the estimated time it will take to build the sign.

“Our proposal was well received by the city,” Swanson said. “Now we will proceed with the rest of the fundraising by asking for donations from businesses and individuals to show our community pride,” Swanson said.

She said GEMS will also be applying for grants, and the money from the city will help leverage money from foundations.

“The sign will be uphill from the entrance of town. It will be so eye catching people will know they are in Enterprise,” Swanson said.

She said construction will start in the spring of 2014 and will be completed by 2015. GEMS has acquired all of the permits necessary from the Oregon Department of Transportation, worked with the city planning department, completed a cost estimate, developed a work plan and are ready to put out bids for construction.

GEMS is also gearing up for summer and will put out flower boxes downtown once the weather warms up.

They are also planning the city’s downtown summer party, Bowlby Bash. Swanson said they are already lining up vendors.

To secure a place for the July 13 event, call Swanson at The Bookloft in Enterprise, 541-426-3351.