Established in 2019 The Myerstown Vitality Partnership (MVP) is an independent nonprofit formed from a partnership between the Myerstown Borough, the local business community, local agencies and individuals from throughout the community with a mission to preserve Myerstown’s rich heritage and culture and ensure its future as a vibrant center of commerce, development and community activity.
The need for an organization such as MVP has risen out of significant disinvestment and substantial needs identified by local government and the community alike. Since its launch, MVP has worked to enhance economic development in Myerstown’s primary corridors, source funding for the revitalization of its collective infrastructure and provide leadership for vital community growth.
As a fledgling volunteer community organization, however, MVP has budget challenges that preclude conventional marketing efforts. As a result, the group has successfully negotiated a media partnership with The Merchandiser, a free weekly community newspaper, which gives it a platform of communicating to the community through a half-page column entitled “MVP News,” which started in September 2020.
By announcing MVP-sponsored events, the weekly column has been able to drive community participation and traffic downtown and increase donations to MVP. The column also allows MVP to endorse shopping local by promoting local businesses, such as the new restaurant, Do Goods. Local businesses also advertise on the same page showing the support of the business community.
“The column has given the community an understanding of what MVP is and enhanced community support for the organization,” said Steven Goodhue, MVP’s Chairman of the Board. “Prior to the use of this platform, we were not able to interact with the public.”
Donations raised through MVP News will help fund full-time management to be hired, which will enable MVP’s participation in Pennsylvania State Main Street America and Keystone Community programs, thereby opening the door to government grants to the community which otherwise would not be accessible.
