Operation Facelift: An Annual Community Improvement Event

 

Operation Facelift was created in 2011 as a community-wide project in the Magic Valley (Twin Falls area). The goals of Operation facelift were to spruce up downtown areas, to build community pride, and to encourage downtown activity and new business development. Economic development professionals and downtown revitalization proponents feel that expenditures for facelifts of downtown businesses are the next critical for downtown revitalization.   In 2012 the program expanded to include all of eastern Idaho and is coordinated by the EIEDP. Operation Facelift is now an annual event and we look forward to the event in 2013.

 

 

Quotes Regarding Operation Facelift 2012:

 

"As we traveled to each community it was very exciting to see how this project improved local businesses and generated tremendous community support." -- Christine Jarski, Idaho Department of Commerce

 

 According to Jolie Turek, EIEDP’s board chairman, “Many volunteers from the 9 eastern Idaho communities came out to scrub walls, windows, paint and plant to improve their downtown areas.  The enthusiasm and creativity that each community put in to their projects was remarkable. This was the first year EIEDP participated in Operation Facelift and it was a great success.  We hope it has already inspired the communities to be thinking and planning next year’s projects in their communities.”

 

“It was such a privilege to have the opportunity to travel to communities in Eastern Idaho and evaluate the projects inspired by Operation Facelift. I was so impressed to see what a difference a little paint and a lot of volunteers can make to improve the appearance of downtown businesses and lift the spirit of their communities. “ -- Amy Taylor, Regional Director US Senator Risch, Idaho Falls Office

 

Winning projects for each city were: 

 

Salmon- China Garden; Leadore- Post Office; Dubois- Old Rassmusen Hotel; Idaho Falls- Joshua D Smith Foundation; Aberdeen- Main Attractions Hair Salon; Pocatello- Gate City Boxing Club. 

The other 3 participating communities of Soda Springs, Arco, and Mackay had ongoing projects which were not included in the judging, and the City of Dubois and the City of Pocatello were voted Most Improved Cities.