By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Information on the fly. The Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce is hopeful a new digital sign will be up and running by the end of April. Chamber President Nancy Baird said the sign, ordered from Mark’s Custom Signs, will stand approximately 10 feet tall and face northwest near the Main Street and U.S. 56 Highway intersection on the American Legion Post 320 lot.
“This is going to be an opportunity and a place to promote community events, support our local Chamber businesses," she said, "a central location for community news or announcements."
The Chamber is still working on fee packages for use of the sign, though Baird said Chamber businesses and those who have donated toward the purchase of the sign will have some cost-free options. The Chamber has had to navigate strict parameters set forth by the Kansas Department of Transportation for use of the sign.
“That was what was so shocking when we went to do the electronic sign, it was a lot to get through the application process,” said Baird. “You cannot have anything that stays up for longer than eight seconds. There can be a lot of information that can go through there within a minute.”
The city of Ellinwood will do much of the groundwork to install and power the sign. The large tree at the corner of the lot will be recycled to make room for the sign.
The Chamber is still fundraising for the project, and has partnered with the Golden Belt Community Foundation so donors can receive a tax-deductible receipt. Contact the Ellinwood Chamber for more information.