Businesses no longer behind eight ball

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Just like the pool table in one mural you'll find on a building there, the Belmont business district has taken its share of shots over the years.

"The Belmont Business District was at one time a very vibrant part of the Dayton small business community and it's kind of gone by the wayside," says David Stanley, President of the Belmont Business Association.

But now the district is bouncing back, and a project using $300 thousand in federal funding that city commissioners heard about Wednesday is expected to help even more.

"We're trying to create a sense of shock and awe to get people back into that district," Stanley says.

To create that city officials will use the funding on things like better lighting, new signs and signals and maybe even more murals. All meant to make the area along Watervliet Avenue more inviting.

"That will certainly draw people outside the community into the community and create a sense of pride among those who have businesses and live in the residential area there," Stanley says.

Take a walk down Watervliet through the Belmont Business District today and you'll notice signs of life amongst the signs for rent.

Stanley says just this year four new businesses have started moving into once empty storefronts, and city commissioners think pockets of production like this one could be the key to improving entire neighborhoods.

"Young people are looking for places easy to walk through so Belmont is very important for the housing stock and the revitalization of the whole community," City Commissioner Nan Whaley says.

Those with the business association know it won't be an easy road to recovery, but at least Belmont is no longer behind the eight ball like the one on that pool mural.

"We expect good things in the years to come," says City Commissioner Matt Joseph, who has done a lot of work with the business district.

The project is slated for summer of 2013.