Baxter signifying its new identity after cutting the ribbon Monday on two new welcome signs, one off Highway 56 and the other in downtown.
Baxter installed the sign using an estimated $15,000 downtown revitalization grant. Baxter Mayor Danny Holmes said the signs signify that the heart of Baxter remains the same.
“It still has that small-town atmosphere, but we are branching out,” Holmes said. “You know, we are getting more housetops, we are getting more factories. I think that what we are saying is Baxter is the place to be.”
Holmes said the welcome sign on First Avenue has an interchangeable banner to advertise different events going on in Baxter. Holmes said the banner is a great way to attract more people to visit Baxter.
“We have different things going on in Baxter throughout the year, so we can just put a banner there, and when people get off the interstate, you know, who knows, they may say, well, let’s go check it out and see what they have to offer. So we are really proud of the sign.”
Holmes said the signs will also guide people to the downtown area. Holmes said it is important to not only revitalize the downtown area but also make sure the small businesses are supported.
“For a small town, everyone struggles,” Holmes said. “We have to have the taxes. We have to have the property taxes, you know, to make Baxter work to keep our police and our fire, and our public works going,” Holmes said. “It takes dollars to do all of that, and so you know, to buy patrol cars, to buy fire engines, we rely on tax dollars, that’s for sure. We want everybody to come and spend right here in the city of Baxter.”
Holmes said downtown Baxter continues to improve as more businesses are calling it home. Holmes said he credits Kellie Fitzpatrick and Lindsey Bruce for steering efforts to improve Baxter.
