Bay Minette is in full bloom! Vibrant flowers, newly-painted windows depicting spring and summer scenes popping up on buildings downtown, and art work cropping up all along the art trail; are all adding color and creating excitement throughout the town. These new additions are part of a growing initiative between the city and the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

The project is taking root and people are taking notice. Messages and pictures have been spreading across facebook about the positive changes going on in our fair city. If you haven’t checked it out, there are several pages to visit with information about the different transformations taking place, including the City of Bay Minette, the Bay Minette Beautification Committee, the Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council and the Bay Minette Community Calendar page. So give them a look.

The improvements being made are all part of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s overall strategic plan to promote the community and enhance its economic development. Camber director Rebecca Cheshire said community involvement is the first step in improving the overall look and feel of an area.

“This gives people a vested interest in improving their area and helps to build momentum in consumer spending and helps attract new businesses,” Cheshire said. “Vacant buildings and empty lots are always an eyesore and usually the first point of call when trying to revitalize an area.”

It is a process that takes time and won’t be completed overnight. It will take a concerted, deliberate and ongoing infusion of energy and ability, but that’s something Bay Minette has to spare. Cheshire has been busily contacting the area businesses and property owners to garner permission to paint windows and get them involved in the initiative. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Cheshire is also looking for volunteers for the Community Art Project! Anyone who wants to participate is invited to meet every Friday afternoon, weather permitting, at Blackburn Park to work on the various painting projects. “You don’t have to be artistic,” Cheshire said. “We have stencils!” The group will also be painting benches throughout town a solid bright color to add interest.

The paint project started last Friday with a small group of us painting windows at the corner of First Street and Hoyle Avenue and is only one part of the beautification campaign the chamber has launched in conjunction with the city.

Another facet of this project is the Bay Minette in Bloom Beautification Campaign. Hanging baskets will adorn utility poles throughout town. The chamber will be promoting the project as well as garnering display sponsorships which include a pole with two hanging baskets that can also be sponsored as a memorial in honor of someone special to the sponsor. “The sponsorship is for one year,” Cheshire said. “It includes a sign promoting their sponsorship or stating to whom it is dedicated, two annual plantings of flowers and the watering and upkeep of the display.” What better way to remember someone who cared for their community than to make them a partner in its restoration? The project is being handled through the Chamber Foundation which is a 501c3 organization making all sponsorships tax deductible. A final sponsorship amount has not been set, but patrons will be able to pay on a quarterly basis.

“We have had tremendous support from the city and business owners,” Cheshire said. “It is evident that this community has been longing for an opportunity to get involved and make change happen. Everyone has been so supportive. It makes me feel proud and I hope that that feeling spreads throughout our community.”

If you are getting excited about all the changes you see happening and want to join in, don’t wait! Call the Chamber (937-5665) or bring your paint brush and join us Friday at Blackburn Park at 1 p.m. You can have a hand in making Bay Minette even more beautiful.

In other news: Mark your calendars for Market Day presented by the Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council on Saturday, June 8th from 8 a.m. until 1p.m. at Blackburn Park where you can buy handmade, homemade and homegrown items. Call 937-3572 for more information. Call to artists – if you have artwork that you would like to loan the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce to be placed on the art trail, please call 937-5665 or drop it off at the chamber building.

Joanna Bailey is the director of the Bay Minette Public Library. She can be reached at baileyvolumes@gmail.com