Montavilla businesses lay out New Year’s plans

Meet Peter Dills, the new Montavilla East Tabor Business Association President, and learn about their plans for the future …

Helping by bringing in another Flying Pie pizza is Montavilla East Tabor Business Association Board Member Rita Hudson-Evalt of Union Rose.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Reviewing the successes of their organization’s past year, and planning for the year ahead, were the major topics when members and guests of the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) gathered at the Flying Pie restaurant on January 8.

Helping bring in the pizzas was Board Member Rita Hudson-Evalt, as participants helped themselves to slices of pizza, tossed green salad, and soft drinks – and then networked with other attendees.

After being lauded for her volunteer service to the organization, outgoing METBA President Tina Granzo smiles.

“In addition to our events, a highlight of 2018 was hiring an Executive Director, Steven Rice, who has been instrumental in helping us take care of our fundraising, as well as working with our Street Fair and a lot of are organizational activities,” remarked outgoing METBA President Tina Granzo of City Beautiful Design. “Having an Executive Director really took a lot of the load off of all of our volunteers!”

Shown at the meeting was a poster print of this image, depicting the success of the 2018 Montavilla Street Fair.

“We had another very successful Street Fair; and, this year, we added two new events: A ‘Spring Block Party’ and a ‘Fall Harvest Festival’ – and both went very well,” Granzo said, adding, “so did our ‘Frosty Fest’ during the Holiday Season.”

After self-introductions, the group of 20 participants held their annual officer elections; and Peter Dills with Therapeutic Associates East Portland became METBA’s new President.

“I look forward to continuing the process of strengthening the executive committee to make it, and thus our organization, even more sustainable,” Dills told East Portland News.

Listening to a METBA member is the organization’s incoming President, Peter Dills.

“Working with the volunteers on the Board, I’m looking forward to building up the infrastructure of our neighborhood business district,” added Dills.

“I’m investing my time as a volunteer in this organization because, having a business in Montavilla makes me passionate about not only helping our organization grow, but also supporting all of the companies here, including home business thrive; and, at the same time, support our neighbors who live here!”

Groups of members discuss elements of the METBA ‘Strategic Goals”.

A good portion of the meeting was discussing their “2019 – 2020 Strategic Goals, including

Improving communication with members and community stakeholders; which included developing a database of all businesses, and including home-based businesses
Improving Association infrastructure to ensure organizational longevity and sustainability – including applying for 501c(3) status
Increasing volunteer staff and financial capacity to meet the needs of the neighborhood business district, the community, and community members
Promoting the district by increasing marketing, advertising and public relations efforts and opportunities – part of that is designing and hanging 50 “identity” banners on Stark Glisan and 82nd Avenue
Supporting improvement of district safety, walkability, and beauty
Providing business outreach to fill current gaps in goods and services within the district.

The meeting ended up with committee reports.

To learn more about METBA, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

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