JOHN DAY – The community’s new welcome mat is out.

The welcome sign at the corner of Main Street and Canyon Boulevard is part of a continuing effort by Grant County Economic Council volunteers to enhance the image of downtown. Last week contractor Bruce Ward and David Paddock of Nomad Sign Art installed the sign, created by Paddock, on the western-style facade of a vacant building on the southeast corner of the city’s main intersection.

The classy sign is the latest effort to transform the corner from an abandoned parking patch to a gathering place for visitors and residents. The Economic Council is preparing to install additional tree planters and banners throughout John Day.

The Council also recently awarded two grants to local groups to dress up their property.

The Grant County Chamber of Commerce was awarded $250 for materials to improve landscaping at the Chamber offices, a project spearheaded by Chamber volunteer Chris Labhart.

The John Day Historical Preservation Foundation was awarded $250 for work landscaping around the Historic Church. The foundation is working to restore the church and its grounds, which are available for private and public functions.

In a related effort, the John Day Merchants Association has obtained an agreement from the John Day Elks Lodge to permit daytime RV parking at the lodge. The pact will help address the lack of parking for RV travelers, long a frustration for both the merchants and the tourists.

With that agreement in place, the city of John Day and the state Transportation Department will move forward with new highway signs in John Day to direct RVers to the parking.

Funds for the Economic Council’s streetscape work were donated by more than 60 individuals and businesses earlier this summer. The Economic Council also received a grant from the motel tax committee. In all, the Council raised $9,000 for the streetscape.

For more information about participating in the streetscape work or the Economic Council, call Les Zaitz at 541-421-3031.