Four years ago the Everson Improvement Group raised money to purchase 16 trees that were planted along Main Street downtown. An Everson-wide garage sale raised enough money to add hanging baskets to the new look. The structure of Main Street also received a facelift four years ago when the sidewalks were repaired, the power lines were placed underground, and new ornamental light posts were erected. Two years ago, when the improvement group combined with the chamber, Nooksack was incorporated into the scheme and will receive hanging baskets this year, according to chamber member Shannon VanBeek. The chamber is working with a gardening club to add flowers in the downtown strip.
New looks are splendid, but marketing is the other major aspect of revitalization.
A brochure will be put together and made available in the downtown area and a website will be created for Everson, both to help promote the downtown. The chamber is also working on a newsletter, to be published three times each year and sent to area residents explaining upcoming events and promoting businesses. Just like Lynden has played up the Dutch theme, Everson is using a small farming town theme and highlighting local agriculture. Sumas was dealt a different card to play. Instead of losing business to Bellingham, the border town lost Canadian business due to the decline of the Canadian dollar throughout the 1990s.