The fledgling Brackenridge Improvement Group — BIG — knows it's a long road to get where it wants to be.
State officials who attended BIG's “brainstorming session” Wednesday night confirmed that, but said the group is headed in the right direction.
Albert J. D'Alessandro, southwestern regional office director for the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and Jan McCarthy, DCED economic development analyst, joined about 25 residents at the meeting in St. John Lutheran Church.
The group, founded in 2013, has dedicated itself to improving Brackenridge's landscape and regenerating community spirit.
“I think there are things the state can do to help you, but I think you need to have your plan a little further along,” McCarthy told the group.
She said BIG needs to have a strategic plan in place before seeking financial aid from the state. Paul Valasek, the group's chairman, said it has just starting to work on that. McCarthy offered to help BIG pull its strategic plan together.
Another part of that equation is local funding. Valasek said the group has a budget for using the $2,000 it has managed to raise.
D'Alessandro said the problem with that is DCED's programs involve larger sums, such as $50,000 to $100,000 — amounts for which BIG would have difficulty providing a local match.
“To be honest, at this point in time, you really don't have the wherewithal for us to help,” D'Alessandro said.
He and McCarthy encouraged the BIG members to form public-private partnerships with businesses and seek support of foundations to build some working capital.
They said that BIG also should consider reaching out to partner with similar groups in other municipalities to acquire more clout.
Valasek said BIG has filed for nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service and should learn if it is granted within three to six months. Bill McElligott, an aide to state House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, said Dermody will be able help the group in securing state grants once it receives nonprofit status.
Travis Kelley, one of BIG's charter members, said BIG has compiled a database of 55 businesses in the borough and plans to create a business directory. They hope to use it as a springboard to form a Brackenridge business association. He said that building awareness of the borough's business community will be a big component of BIG's efforts in the future.
Valasek said maintaining communications with and between residents will be another objective for the group as it seeks to expand membership and participation. Members generally agreed that using social media is a good way to attract younger members.
However, resident Calvin Polisano, said BIG needs to keep using the Valley News Dispatch as a means of communication, particularly with older people who don't use computers. He told Valasek he would be willing to help BIG in any way he can.
Asked what he thought about the meeting, Polisano said, “I love it — it's a start.”
“It was a really good meeting,” said Cindy Homburg. “It's all about bringing Brackenridge together.”
Valasek said he was pleased with the turnout and the participation and hopes it will increase when BIG holds its next meeting on March 30.
Tom Yerace is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4675 or tyerace@tribweb.com.
