Breathing life back into Roseboro’s downtown economy remains in the forefront of the minds of both residents and town leaders, all who are putting their heads together on revitalization efforts.

Town clerk Drenda Ammons explained that committees set up to make revitalization suggestions have stepped up their efforts and are now prepared to show residents what, in fact, they have in mind.

Thus, on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m., the board will hold a meeting at town hall to explain what the future may hold for the downtown, if efforts continue to hold up.

Ammons, who has been a resident of Roseboro all of her life, explained that the closing of Tart and West Drugs and other major businesses have been a detriment to the area, and she hopes that will soon be changing.

With the help of the N.C. Main Street Program, the town is looking to help bring people and businesses like Tart and West back to the area.

“We are just hoping to get it going again,” said Ammons.

Right now, she pointed out that about 25 residents have attended a monthly committee meeting to discuss the town’s potential revamp recommendations. What residents are discussing in those meetings include improvements to downtown building facades.

Ammons said that in the meetings, the team splits up into groups devoted to building a website, marketing the town, etc.

The coordinator of the project Bob Murphrey stressed in an interview that this is a “community project.”

“The community has to participate” in order for this to work, said Murphrey, who encouraged anyone with an interest to help.

In the meetings, he established that residents have been able to come up with things to work on. For example, he noted that the committees are looking to improve signs, showing residents and visitors how to get to the downtown area.

Mayor Roland Hall, who is involved with the revitalization effort, stated his belief that things are going well.

He also added that the groups that have attended the meetings have had to come up with strategies to get people excited about the downtown economy.

“Everything is really coming along,” said Hall.

He added that if more residents attend the meeting on Feb. 19, the committees will have a better idea as to what direction to take the improvements.

According to a press release, at the meeting, the town will have a complete market study prepared to show the direction of the town.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by email at silife@intrstar.net.