IRONTON — A new group called Ironton Pride is looking for someone to work with other volunteer groups on downtown activities, a move that could lead to the eventual formation of an Ironton Main Street program in coming years.

“We are trying to find a VISTA worker to work with Ironton Pride and other volunteer organizations,” said Ralph Kline assistant executive director of the Ironton-Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization. “We figure we need either an area student or retired individual for the position.”

Among the other groups that could be involved are Ironton in Bloom, the Ironton Port Authority, Friends of Ironton and others.

Mark McCown, an Ironton lawyer, has been named chairman of Ironton Pride. The group will work with other volunteer groups with the long-term goal for starting a Main Street program in Ironton, he said. The group is in the process of forming a nonprofit corporation.

The purpose of the program is to bring development, marketing and activities downtown, McCown said.

“We want to find someone to coordinate our volunteer efforts,” said Carol Allen, co-chair of Ironton in Bloom. “We’re talking about things that relate to downtown businesses.”

Jewell Hackworth, Workforce Investment Act director, said AmeriCorps VISTA will pay $10,000 and provide health care benefits for a person to work on community revitalization, work with volunteer groups and oversee downtown projects.

It’s a 40-hour-per-week job and the applicants can’t hold another job or be in job training, she said.

“We’re still looking for a full-time person,” she said. “It’s a leadership program.”

She’s looking for a motivated individual with good organizational skills and love of the Ironton community. It’s a program designed for someone wanting to gain work experience or give back to the community, she said.

Anyone interested in applying can contact Hackworth at the Lawrence County Workforce Development Center at 740-532-3140 or check the Web site at www.americorps.gov.
 

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