Plymouth Economic Development

Gazebo

Plymouth has been sleepy for decades, but the popularity of the Shenandoah Valley and other surrounding areas has created quite a bit of interest.  The approval of the Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge developments (along with others in the wings) requires that the community take a planned approach with its future as a regional and business community.

Our Mission is: “To promote, attract and retain business development for the betterment of the Plymouth Community while preserving and enhancing our unique heritage and harmony with the surrounding environment.”

Economic development and improvement by using the following:

  • A coordinated marketing approach from the City of Plymouth, hospitality, wineries, business and the Fair/Event center.  A key person from each group is involved in marketing the facilities of each in a synergistic way.
  • Revitalize the Main Street of Plymouth with the intent of making it something residents can be proud of and in a way that will attract more businesses by being an area that we can point to as an accomplishment.
  • Work on the Highway 49 strip and improve the looks of the neighborhoods.
  • Encourage and/or create events that will bring visitors and potentially valuable residents.  Improve the required infrastructure.
  • Invite new business and encourage them with a business incubator, education, etc.  Reach out.  Create local  jobs.

Bob Wooten, Kimberly Baxter, Gregg Lamer and Beth Sogaard

Current Success

  • Amador Vintage Market, Taste, Colburn Victorian – all new
  • Lodge Hall Renovation will soon be complete – more event floor space
  • The Fair Foundation brings a private enterprise side to the Fair
  • The new Pipeline, Arroyo Ditch and Sewer Upgrade are major solutions – ending a 20+ year moratorium
  • Experienced City Management – Professional City management brings the experience of multiple communities
  • Zinfandel development is planned to bring 350+ new homes and 1,000 new residents that will need services.

Congratulations!

Gary Colburn was given an award for the personally funded Colburn Victorian Restoration

– Thanks Gary!


A 1870’s – 1940’s theme for Main Street

Plymouth flourished until the Empire mine shut down in the 1940’s.  The Plymouth Consolidated Mining Company was at one time the most productive gold mine in the Mother Lode, and the town that supported it was prosperous and the shut down, consequently was devastating.  Plymouth architecture was arrested by that economy and it is a town stuck in that period.  But maybe that’s a good thing, now!
When Walt Abercrombie was asked how Plymouth could best change, he stated “Take it back to 1936”.  Today, that might be exactly why a town theme of the 1870’s to 1940’s will work well.  That was a heady period.  California sprang into being, hardrock mining flourished, electricity, telephones, automobiles and airplanes were invented.  The Victorian age, the Roaring 20’s – it was an incredible period.  WWI had been the war to end all wars and the country was happy, changing and growing.  Women were celebrating their new found freedoms and the Art Deco movement provided a vividly colored background.

Some advantages of that period is that it is recognized.  It’s big and full of life and fun.  It screamed progress.  In the 30’s and 40’s our parents and grandparents had exciting expectations and America was inventing things like crazy that the world wanted.  Advertising, architecture and design were noticed by many who had never paid attention before.  It was the era when automobiles became sleek and beautiful.
The flexibility in that eclectic design period incorporates all of our Main Street structures.  Much of it is decorative and easy to create.  Wood, stucco and brick buildings all qualify.  Take a quick look at the Pastime and imagine that neon signaling “Club” and then “Cafe” and then “Club”.  Neon fits wonderfully.

Plymouth buildings have the bones of the 1870’s to the 1940’s period and can lend themselves to color and life.  Fill that in with some living color on the street in the form of landscaping and accoutrements, and it won’t take much to head off in this inexpensive direction no other town is taking.

 


logoIntegrity Design & Marketing

Rick Sanders

P.O. Box 22

Fiddletown, CA 95629

Ph. (209) 245-4900

email: rsanders@integritydm.com

www.plyecondev.com

Posted March 24, 2012 by rsanders21