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ABOUT US

MISSION STATEMENT:  To enhance and advocate for a dynamic, vital and sustainable downtown

VISION STATEMENT:  A vibrant downtown for all

About

Downtown Lima, Inc. is a non-profit, membership organization whose mission is to enhance the downtown area by enhancing and creating a positive image of the downtown as a desirable place to work, live, shop, dine and invest.

 

Our organization is possible through the support and dedication of our members and community partners. Businesses throughout Lima support the values and goals of Downtown Lima, Inc., realizing that a vibrant downtown reflects positively on our whole community and is a necessary part of economic growth. 

 

Please visit the businesses that are highlighted throughout this website and support our partners that support downtown revitalization as a critical element in the growth and development of the City of Lima and Allen County.

OUR STORY

Downtown Lima was formed in 1995 through the efforts of city, county, and private sector interest.

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Funding is provided by the City of Lima, Visit Greater Lima,  business memberships, and individual memberships.  We currently have over 100 business and industrial members, large and small, who believe that a vibrant downtown is a key factor in the overall economic growth of our metropolitan area.  Individual business memberships account for almost 40% of our operating funds.  Since Downtown Lima is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, your membership can be a deductible contribution for tax purposes. 

 

When a community participates in the revitalization effort, the downtown area experiences renewed vitality and enhanced performance.

Benefits include:
 

Protect and strengthen existing tax base

Increase merchant sales

Establish positive image

Create visual appeal and function

Promote & market downtown businesses

Foster new job opportunities

Increase investment downtown

Preserve history and culture

Offer Downtown Development Loan Program & Façade Improvement Grant

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Through our standing committee we address the following areas which are critical for downtown revitalization:

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PROMOTIONS

This committee meets monthly and plans events in downtown to draw customers and visitors to downtown Lima. The Promotions Committee is responsible for the event schedule approved by the Executive Board.

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If you would like to join a committee, send us a message!

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DESIGN

This committee meets monthly and works on enhancing and maintaining a vibrant image of downtown. This committee is responsible for annual downtown banners, Hanging Basket Planter Program, streetscapes, and holiday decorations.

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STAKEHOLDERS

This committee invites business and building owners to quarterly open forums. The Chair leads a discussion of needs, expectations, and prioritizes follow-up actions for the committee members. This committee will encourage building rehab and retaining existing businesses.

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LOAN & GRANT

This committee is a subcommittee of the Executive Board Committtee. It's responsibilities include receiving and adminstering the Downtown Lima, Inc. Development Loan Program and any grant programs that the Executive Board deems approporiate. This committee meets as needed.

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LANTERN TOUR

This committee meets as needed to plan and execute the Lantern Tours and Woodlawn Cemetery Tours.

Committees
Board

THE BOARD

STANDING MEMBERS 

Allen Economic Development Group

Dave Stratton

144 S. Main Street, Ste. 200

Lima, OH  45801 

419-222-7706

 

Allen County Commissioners

Beth Seibert 

PO Box 1243

Lima, OH  45802-1243

419-228-3700, Ext 8827

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City of Lima

Mayor Sharetta Smith

50 Town Square

Lima, OH  45801 

419-228-5462

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Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce

Jed Metzger

144 S. Main St., Ste. 100

Lima, OH  45801 

419-222-6045

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Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center

Abe Ambroza

7 Town Square

Lima, OH  45801 

419-224-5222 

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Visit Greater Lima

Betsy Billingsley

144 S. Main Ste. 101

Lima, OH  45801 

419-222-6075

 

 

ELECTED MEMBERS 

Term expires December 31, 2023

Jeff Williams – The Law Firm of Reese, Elliott & Williams, Co..

121 W High St, 9th Floor

Lima, OH 45801,

419-227-5858
 

Bill Lyons – The Cheap Sign Company

P.O. Box 657, Lima, OH 45802

419-228-5735

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Kevin Reeks – Rhodes State College

4240 Campus Dr.

Lima, OH  45804

419-995-8081

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Jason Gillespie – The Wingate By Wyndham 

175 W. Market Street

Lima, OH 45801

419-228-7000

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Ann Stiles – Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center

730 W. Market Street

Lima, OH 45801

419-996-5174

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Karen Sommer -Individual 

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Term expires December 31, 2024

Bob Cook – Individual

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Jim Osmon – First Financial Bank

202 N. Main Street

Delphos, OH 45833

419-623-1239

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Chad Stearns – Modo Media

209 W. Elm Street

Lima, OH 45801

567-825-3952

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Cheryl Verhoff – Citizens National Bank

201 N. Main

Lima, OH  45801 

419-224-0400

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Term expires December 31, 2025

Sally Windle – ArtSpace/Lima

65 Town Square

Lima, OH 45801 

419-222-1721

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John Heaphy – Good Food Inc.

1860 S. Dixie Hwy.

Lima, OH  45804 

419-991-5346


Grant Sullivan - Sullivan Insurance

606 W. North Street

Lima, OH 45801

419-604-2509

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Brian Walters - Trisco Systems and Metro Center

127 N. Elizabeth Street

Lima, OH 45801

419-604-2509

 

Trustees Emeritas

Peggy Ehora – Dominion Energy

retired

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Bob Fitzgerald – The Law Firm of Fitzgerald, Reese & Van Dyne, Co.

retired

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Gene Reaman – G & R LLC

P.O. Box 1854

Lima, OH  45802

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Ex-Officio Members

Past President Karen Sommer – Individual

Past Executive Director – Fred Barrington

 

 

DOWNTOWN LIMA, INC. STAFF

Executive Director, Cricket Rodriguez

cricket@visitdowntownlima.com

419-222-2686 

 

Administrative Assistant, Vicki Newland  vicki@visitdowntownlima.com 

2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

OFFICERS

President - Kevin Reeks - Rhodes State College           Treasurer – Cheryl Verhoff - Citizens National Bank

Vice President - Chad Stearns - Modo Media                        Secretary – Betsy Billingsley - Visit Greater Lima

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