By Paula Pyzik Scott

The July 17 quarterly meeting of the Ada Community Improvement Corporation was an opportunity to feel the pulse of the Ada business community. Held on the heels of the July Ada Area Chamber of Commerce meeting that occurred earlier in the day, the CIC meeting tackled ideas for Wilson wayfinding signs, downtown storefront capacity and ways to counteract disinvestment in aging buildings.

In her commercial committee report, Deb Curlis explained that since the last meeting, the Gallery for the Arts building did not become an additional space for Our Garden of Gifts because of staffing issues. The building at 115 S. Main has been rented and will be used as a work space rather than as a retail storefront.
In discussion about the recent Wilson Football Factory grand opening and ribbon cutting events, the need for directional signage on Main St. at Highland was considered. The facility now has NFL history exhibits and a Wilson shop in the lobby. Tours may be scheduled HERE.

Investment and disinvestment in downtown buildings was discussed. Examples of recent thorough renovation work were the offices of attorney Terry Hord and the Reagle Beagle and apartments above it.

The CIC is interested in encouraging and requiring property owners to maintain safe and attractive buildings. The opportunity to effect community-wide improvement was discussed, including working with for profit and nonprofit organizations that help identify needs, opportunities and funding.

The opportunity to use thorough fire inspections and insure that Village codes are adequate was discussed.

In his water plan report, Mayor David Retterer said that it was time to disband this committee and determine how to handle the $13,626.37 in the Water Resource Fund.

2024 CIC Officers and 2024-2025 Trustees

Jamie Hall, President & trustee (*e. 12.31.24)
Deb Curlis, Vice President, trustee (e. 12.31.25) 
Terry Keiser (e. 12.31.25)
Bryan Marshall (e. 12.31.25)
Eileen Peterman, Treasurer & Secretary, trustee (e. 12.31.24)
David Retterer (*) (e. 12.31.25)

Committee Chairs

Industrial, Jamie Hall
Commercial, Deb Curlis
Water Resource Plan, Dave Retterer
Community, Lindsay Walden Hollar