SILVERTON — Business owners, citizens and city officials have formed a nonprofit development group to help revitalize the city's business district.

        Silverton Development Inc. was formed Wednesday at the Silverton Municipal Building with the election of 20 board members and adoption of a code of regulation and articles of incorporation, said David Waltz, city admin istrator.

        “This group is separate from city government, something similar to the Blue Ash Revitalization Inc.,” Mr Waltz said. “The next step is to get incorporated by the secretary of state and then to get a tax-exempt status.”

        The group will concentrate on revitalizing the Silverton business district. “Our first project will be a study of downtown Silverton,” Mr. Waltz said.

        Councilman Oscar Garner Jr. said the idea was proposed to city council three months ago.

        “We have worked with Blue Ash to get our project going,” Mr. Garner said. “I think we are on the way to bringing Silverton back to the level it was years ago.”

        The city has suffered a letdown in business development since it struggled through a fiscal watch for two years ending in 1999.

        Many services had to be trimmed to meet budget re straints, including closing the city swimming pool. The pool remains closed this season.

        “I think we might get to the point of putting up a new building in Silverton Park near the pool,” Mr. Garner said. “There are several businesses that have expressed an interest in moving here. It is our job to offer them some amenities. I think the corporation will be in a position to push for tax abatements and infrastruc ture development.”

        Jim Ellison, co-owner of DRS-Bonded, a collection system at 6906 Plainfield Road, is president of SDI.

        Mr. Ellison and co-owner Donald Wood Jr. moved to Silverton in 1996 and are adding a second floor to their business.

        “We made a commitment to come here and expand and I think we can help to attract other businesses,” Mr. Ellison said. “The creation of the development corporation is the beginning of a very long journey. Our job will be to put together projects that will make Silverton more desirable.”

        Mr. Ellison said the corporation will be able to do things without having to work through politics. SDI can raise funds, plan beautification and streetscape projects that will enhance the business district.

        “I think we are unlimited in what we can do,” Mr. Ellison said.

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