PRINCETON — Mercer County is about to get a facelift. Efforts are underway to get rid of trash and litter throughout the county as part of the Mercer County Make It Shine project.

Beverly Wellman, executive director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the organization is looking for community groups to take part in the Make It Shine project during the first two weeks of April.

The organization was formed under the auspices of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, she said.

“We recognize that the cities have ordinances they don’t have in other parts of the county. Make It Shine organizes the entire county to see what can be done collectively,” she said.

The program is project-specific and areas in the county that want to take on a project, such as cleaning a dirty stream, may still apply by calling the CVB at 325-8438 to receive an application. Applications must be received by Feb. 1, Wellman said.

With the applications, those involved in projects can receive help from organizations such as the Department of Highways, Wellman said. The projects must be on public property.

She said different areas in the county will pursue different projects. Groups in Oakvale, Spanishburg, Bramwell, Bluewell, and the cities of Bluefield and Princeton have signed up to take on a project.

“We’re still looking for the other communities in the county to be represented,” Wellman said.

Litter clean-ups and fix-ups are included in the project, but it’s not roadside-specific. “After we get this underway, we hope it will go from there,” Wellman said. “Once the groups are in place, we hope it goes to the next step of cleaning illegal dumps and having groups sign up for Adopt-a-Highway.”

Wellman said she hopes the Make It Shine program can start small and get bigger. She said group members hope to have a conservation officer and a county commissioner on hand at the March meeting to showcase the interest the communities in the county have for the project.

“We want to bring all of the organizations in the county that can lend assistance in the clean-up,” she said.

Wellman said a clean county helps make a good impression on visitors and developers. “We’re working with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Highways. We want to work closer with the county groups,” she said.

“When developers come in, they’re looking to see if there’s pride in the county and interested to see if it looks nice,” she said. “We know local people are interested, but they may not be sure how to organize a clean up. We will give them the resources they need.”

Janet Bailey, executive director of the Mercer County Economic Development Authority, said first impressions for tourists or businesses looking to relocate are important.

For anyone traveling through the county, what they see is what they remember,” she said.

“We only get one chance to make a first impression. If they see clutter and debris, that’s what they’ll remember,” Bailey said. “Businesses look at an area for clutter with trash and debris. They look for a cost effective place for their business to be and a place where they can bring their associates.”

Wellman said, “We’re looking for the Ruritan clubs and the Lions to get involved. Neighborhoods can help as well. People get ready for company. It makes visitors feel better about an area they’re visiting, and you don’t want it marred by dilapidated structures. We want to put our best foot forward.”

Wellman said the Make It Shine project is still in its early stages.

— Contact Mark Blevins at mblevins@ptonline.net.