MVP News: February 2024

Get to know the Myerstown Vitality Partnership (MVP)

The MVP is pleased to find a new home for 2024 for its monthly news column. We are pleased to publish our news and updates in LebTown. For our new readers, we will use the space this time to educate you.

The MVP News has been published elsewhere for over three years and has been honored by the Central Penn Business Journal as an award-winning column.

So, we will use our LebTown space to bring you up to speed.

IN THE BEGINNING

The Borough of Myerstown celebrated its Sestercentennial (250^th Anniversary) in 2018. It was a wonderful community-focused year for the Borough, filled with activities that continuously brought the community together. We did not want that spirit to fade, and the Myerstown Vitality Partnership was formed to keep the spirit alive. A volunteer Board of Directors was formed, and the MVP achieved 501(c)3 status as a nonprofit organization, with tax advantages to its supporters.

WHAT DOES THE MVP DO?

Core responsibilities – The Board provides leadership that believes in the future of Myerstown. They are dedicated to advancing initiatives that revitalize and improve the community in which we live, work, and raise our families.
President/CEO – The Board has hired a paid employee, Denise Gouldey, responsible for the MVP’s day-to-day operation. Denise is also active in the community, serving as President of the Myerstown Lions Club and devoting volunteer time as Vice President of the Myerstown Community Library Board.
Close relationship with Myerstown Borough – Myerstown Borough Manager Michael McKenna and Myerstown Council VP Brian Rittle also serve on the MVP Board. This has resulted in a close cooperative relationship between the Borough and the local business community. The Borough and the MVP are separate entities and maintain their independence.
Example – DoGood’s Tavern, Myerstown – worked closely with Myerstown Borough to secure a Liquor License that must remain with the building. This saved DoGood’s $140,000. Then, they obtained Local Economic Tax Assistance (LERTA) with the help of the MVP, which resulted in a conservable tax advantage related to the renovation of their building. The relationships with both entities paid dividends to DoGood’s and motivated them to locate their new restaurant in Myerstown. It is a popular venue that attracts customers from throughout the County, which is good for Myerstown’s image.

Denise Gouldey, Steve Goodhue, and the DoGood’s Tavern team.

THE GOALS OF THE MVP

To increase the number of people who visit the Myerstown area – Dining at DoGood’s is a great example. Myerstown is a historic area. The Isaac Meier House is a local tourist attraction.
To increase the number of families moving to Myerstown – The ELCO School District, for instance, has an excellent reputation.
To provide a healthy business development environment – The MVP maintains a branch of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, which is an essential resource for new businesses establishing themselves in the Myerstown area. Its central location is a great benefit to manufacturing businesses.

Maintaining a family-friendly environment – Regular community events, like the annual Block Party are enthusiastically supported. The entire community greatly appreciates Myerstown Night at the Reading Fightin’ Phils, the Holiday Parade, and Cookies and Breakfast with Santa, and more.