(3/15) When the Emmitsburg town government
first considered making changes to the town’s sign ordinance, very few people
knew about it. Certainly not the businesses that changes would impact the most.
The Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association works to improve the
business environment in town. In this 2004 file photo, the EBPA hosted a
luncheon for then-Governor Robert Ehrlich, who came to town and spoke to the
business community at the Carriage House Restaurant.
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However, the interim board of the
Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association learned about it. Members read
through the proposals and didn’t like what they saw.
“They were about to sign it, but we showed
up and said we didn’t like what it says,” said Robert Rosensteel, Sr., a member
of the EBPA interim board.
The commissioners heard the concerns from
businesspeople in Emmitsburg and made changes in response to those concerns
until the ordinance is just about ready to be approved.
More than 80 businesses operate in
Emmitsburg, ranging from home-based businesses large multi-million companies.
In all, Emmitsburg businesses employ about 2,500 people.
So how do they make their needs known to
the town government to avoid problems like the potential one with the sign
ordinance?
The Emmitsburg Business and Professional
Association has a mission statement to “protect and promote a healthy business,
professional and civic environment in the greater Emmitsburg area.” The
organization also offers professionals the opportunity to network and establish
the business relationships that will help the town’s business community thrive.
“It’s the business community that helps
make this town work as a community. All the non-profit organizations are being
measurably supported by businesses,” said Rosensteel.
He pointed to the support that businesses
provide the Little League, Boy Scouts, Vigilant Hose Company, the Emmitsburg
Volunteer Ambulance Company and other non-profit organizations.
“What are we as a town doing to promote
business? The doors should be open and we should be welcoming with open arms
good businesses,” Rosensteel said.
An ad hoc committee has been working for
the last three months to revitalize and restructure the EBPA. New standing
committees have been established to represent local business interests in
government relations, membership and development, marketing and events.
“I think it needed to be restructured. We
want to put together a viable organization and put strength in it to benefit
businesses,” Rosensteel said.
The new EBPA is expected to be
incorporated by its next meeting on Mar. 20. Anyone interested in participating
with the group or finding out more about it, can attend the meeting at the
Carriage House. It begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. You can also
contact Libby Briggs at (301) 606-5782 or Bob Rosensteel, Sr. (301) 447-6272
for more information. The meeting will include check presentation by Rosensteel
Studios, Emmitsburg Glass and the EBPA to Betsy Day of the Frederick County
Community Foundation.
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