You need to join the Barre Partnership if you care about downtown Barre. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Partnership relies on the generosity of the public, the local municipality and businesses to help make the city center as lively as it can be. Your contribution enables us to employ a full-time executive director to lead our many volunteers. It also allows us to help businesses with their marketing/promotions endeavors, coordinate citywide events, spearhead economic development in Barre, get positive news about the community into local media, and act as a liaison between the public and the business district.

What has the Partnership done?

The following is a taste of our recent accomplishments:

Barre Partnership January - May 2008

· Proposed revisions to the tax stabilization policy

· Initiated and co-wrote the Doing Business in Barre booklet

· Entrepreneur of the Year Award given to Barre Opera House.

· Attended central meetings for the Act 250 hearings

· Co-ordinated and participated in activities for the ABA Allstar weekend

· Co-ordinated the snow sculpture contest during Winterfest

· Originate press releases on events happening in the downtown to keep the public informed

· Good Morning Barre!!! Breakfast meetings. Started May 28^th to be held monthly. We will arrange topic and speakers

· Golden Shoes

What are the Partnership's goals for the future?

We are very excited about the coming months, which will include:

June - December 2008

· Redesign the Barre Partnership website

· Provide a scholarship for an SHS senior

· Organize and Promote the Concerts in the Park Series, June - August

· Taste of Barre (Partnership annual meeting), June 25^th

· Green Mountain Motorheads Classic Car Show, (benefit SHS Project Graduation) June 6th & 7^th

· Co-ordintated press releases and worked with Homecoming Committee on planning

· Information booth Homecoming weekend

· Worked with city on downtown banner design and setup

· Scary Barre Promotion, October

· Employee Appreciation Dinner, November

· Hunter’s Widow Sale, November

· Organize and install Holiday street lighting

· Holiday Santa Parade, Sat in Nov following Thanksgiving

· Holiday window decorating contest

· Santa’s visit to downtown Barre

· Continue promoting Barre’s brand, Everybody’s Hometown

· Organize promotion of the tax free weekend in July

· Newsletter

· Economic Restructuring maintains communication on the Main Street Reconstruction.

· Working with the city and the Main St Programs around the country to recommend changes to city ordinances that will help improve the overall look of the downtown district

What can I contribute?

The Barre Partnership has different membership levels tailored to the budgets of our diverse constituency:

INDIVIDUAL - $45

BUSINESS - $125

FOUNDATION - $250

CORNERSTONE - $500

People who prefer to make a larger or smaller donation are certainly encouraged to do so. For example, some of our donors give $1,000 annually, while others donate $25. You may also make a gift towards one of our promotions (Summer Concerts Series, Golden Shoes, Motorheads Car Show, etc.).

Remember - each and every contribution is absolutely appreciated!

Can I volunteer my time instead?