A new sign made entirely by local businesses now welcomes motorists traveling along state Route 39 towards the city of Shelby. The decorative sign, which reads, “Shelby welcomes you,” was made by Shelby businesses Lantz Star Graphics, Cooper Enterprises and ArcelorMittal.
The idea for a new Shelby welcome sign came around the spring of 2012, when Shelby Mayor Marilyn John decided the gateways into the city needed a makeover.
“One of my goals when I took office was to begin working on some of the details around town as far as aesthetics,” said John. “I look at state Route 39 as the front door of Shelby; we have other entries, but that is the most heavily traveled. And when you think about the front door of your home, you want it to be welcoming.”
John explained the city wrote for and received an ODOT Gateway Grant for phase one, which created the landscape bed and the row of trees along Route 39. The city worked with a landscape designer from MTD Products to designed the landscape bed, and the company maintains the landscaping and trees on the forefront of the MTD property.
The second phase of the sign project came with the help of Community and Economic Coordinator Christina Thompson.
“Last year I worked with the Shelby Green Committee to submit grants to improve signage throughout the city, including the reservoirs and Shelby Community Gardens,” explained Thompson. “The Shelby Green Committee received grants from The Shelby Foundation and a sector grant from the Richland Community Development Group, which received funds from the Richland County Foundation.”
Once the funds were in place, it came time to discuss the substance of the sign. Thompson said the original sign was going to be made of metal, and instead of posts the sign would be flanked by brick.
While discussing options other than brick, Thompson said Brad Stiteler, a graphic designer with Lantz Star Graphics, brought up using tubing for posts.
Stiteler said they wanted the design of the sign to be simple and welcoming, using a new logo the company had designed for the city of Shelby. He explained the website, www.shelbyohio.org, was added as a way for people new to the area to familiarize themselves with Shelby.
“All of us here at our office, we’ve been Shelby residents for most of our lives or all of our lives, and we partner up with the city on quite a few things,” said Stiteler. “We feel like we’re doing our part and using our skills to in a small way showcase the community.”
The idea of tubing as the sign frame stuck, and Shelby’s local steel company ArcelorMittal was up to the task. Thompson explained ArcelorMittal made the tubes themselves as well as the decorative pieces on top of each post.
Cooper Enterprises, a contract manufacturer of wood and laminated components and complete assemblies, stepped out of their box to make the sign itself. Cooper Enterprises President Monty Friebel said the company jumped at the chance to be involved in making the new sign.
“It was an honor that the administration of Shelby thought first to include Shelby businesses in making the sign, I think it’s another sign of their support for local businesses,” said Friebel. “It was a really nice partnership of Shelby businesses to put it together.”
Friebel said it was a challenge to make the one-of-a-kind sign due to the company being a larger volume manufacturer.
“To make one of anything is awkward for us, but we did it because it’s another opportunity to put your creative skills to work,” he said. “It’s a very cool sign, it’s an item of creativity and it’s a nice feature piece as you’re coming into Shelby.”
Shelby city employees welded the decorative piece and supports, painted the posts and installed the sign on Friday, May 23. Mayor John said she has already received many positive comments from residents and visitors who appreciate the new sign.
“I’ve been waiting for this for two and a half years, and it was well worth the wait,” she said with a laugh. “We really wanted that welcoming feeling for people when they’re driving into Shelby. We wanted it to be significant, we wanted it to describe Shelby, and we have so much of our community that is represented.”
“It was an honor that the administration of Shelby thought first to include Shelby businesses in making the sign, I think it’s another sign of their support for local businesses,” said Monty Friebel. “It was a really nice partnership of Shelby businesses to put it together.”
