Volunteer Curci to manage Butler Downtown
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Chelynne Curci has long been an advocate for her hometown of Butler, even before she was hired as the Main Street manager to lead Butler Downtown, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the city's revitalization.
For two years, Ms. Curci, 28, had been a volunteer, serving as chairwoman of the promotions committee in the organization.
But a tragedy had her rethink her role. Her friend and the first Main Street manager, Becky Smith, died in late September in a car accident. Ms. Curci recently was offered the opportunity to continue her friend's work.
"I worked with Becky and talked to her every day," she said. "It was a hard decision to take the position, but I really wanted to continue her vision."
According to Ms. Curci, Butler Downtown is a certified Main Street Project, an organization created to help towns across the country revitalize their business thoroughfare while preserving the historical aspects of a town.
Butler Downtown was created three years ago and consists of about 50 volunteers and the manager's position, the only paid, full-time position with the organization.
Ms. Curci was one of those volunteers, chairing the promotions committee while she worked at Armstrong Cable Co. as the marketing manager.
"Like many Main Street towns, Butler suffered when the malls began to be built in a whole movement across the country," she said. "Then the recession didn't help."
As the Main Street manager, Ms. Curci works with the same volunteers and committees to advance the goals of the organization.
She knew from experience that the hours could be long and varied.
"Since I work with mostly volunteers, we often have to meet at night or on the weekends, especially for special events. But that is what it takes," Ms. Curci said.
Ms. Curci also acts as a liaison between Butler Downtown and other like-minded organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, city council and mayor.
She holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Grove City College and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College.
In her new role, Ms. Curci hopes to continue the momentum started by her late friend.
"We have done a lot of good things. I believe that Butler is a great place, but there is always room to make it better," she said.
First Published February 9, 2012 12:00 am
