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Help pick most attractive businesses, homes
Keep Liberty Beautiful
Keep Liberty Beautiful logo

It is that time again! Time to nominate attractive homes and businesses in our community. We have so many assets that we should be proud of and that add value to our community. Through March 31, we are taking nominations for our Win-dex Awards for attractive businesses and for our biannual HomeProud recognition, honoring attractive homes and yards in our county.

We have many businesses that figured out that having an attractive façade is “good business.” It makes the business more inviting for customers, more enjoyable for employees, and research studies say it increases business. Many homeowners also understand that their properties are reflections of who they are. So help us recognize and thank these folks for taking pride in their properties.

In the last nine years, the Win-dex Awards, co-sponsored by Keep Liberty Beautiful and the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, have recognized more than 75 local businesses that make the extra effort to present attractive and inviting appearances.  

These businesses “attract” more new businesses to our community because they make our whole community look good. More businesses and more successful businesses mean more good jobs and a healthier local economy.

Here are some points to consider as you decide on a nomination:

• Is the exterior clean and litter-free?

• Is the landscaping well-maintained?

• Is the building’s exterior attractive and not in need of repair?

• Is the right-of-way mowed and litter-free?

• Are the sidewalk and parking area clean and maintained? Are these areas free of cigarette butts?

• Are there attractive plantings decorating the exterior? Is the entryway inviting?

• Has the business recently upgraded or renovated its building?

Also consider what sets these businesses apart from others. And we take into consideration whether they are active in local programs that promote a clean community, such as Adopt Liberty and municipal cleanups in the spring and fall.

We are also asking you to nominate homes in your neighborhood or city that you feel demonstrate they are HomeProud. Take a look at your home and yard through the eyes of your neighbors — those who live nearby, drive or walk by each day — or visitors to Liberty County.

I am not superficial. I do know there is much more to life than outward appearances; however, the way we take care of our home space day in and day out has a powerful effect on us and those around us. It might not be fair, but it is true. People make assumptions about us by how our homes — and our neighborhoods — look. Industries and businesses make assumptions about our entire community by how clean and well-maintained our neighborhoods, streets and businesses appear.

All of us can keep our yards clean and litter-free — and junk-free. All of us can try to keep our homes neat and trimmed. The appearance of our homes also affects our neighbors, so be a good neighbor and keep things looking good.

Do you know of a home that deserves this kind of recognition? Then contact us at Keep Liberty Beautiful this month at 880-4888 or keeplibertycountybeautiful@gmail.com and share the name and contact information and street address of the homeowners, and even a cellphone picture, if you can.

For the Win-dex Awards, nomination forms are available at the Keep Liberty Beautiful office or the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce office (368-4445) on Oglethorpe Highway. You can also email KLB at klcb@coastalnow.net. Remember that your reason for nominating a business is a crucial part of the judging of the awards. Your vote counts.

Let’s be Liberty Proud. Send your nominations in today.

Swida is the director of Keep Liberty Beautiful.

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