facades. The main street now boasts several small boutiques and shops, and the Tavern on the Square restaurant, with a legacy dating back to 1931, has been restored to its former glory. The small rural borough of Volant is another Lawrence County gem. “It’s right on Neshannock Creek.They get a lot of fly fishermen,” Bush recounts. “There’s a fly shop up there. There’s a cidery. There’s a bunch of little quaint shops.” This community is known for its seasonal celebrations, including the much-anticipated Witches Night Out, which draws visitors from around the region. Looking ahead, Bush hopes to continue this revitalization. “The downtowns throughout the community are starting to see some resurgence,” he expands. “I’d love to work with some of them to become what the state calls Main Street Communities, so we can continue to see that investment moving in and see these improvements.” BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Infrastructure is a priority for Lawrence County, as it plans for future growth. Bush elaborates, “We need shows in the country, and is currently planning for expansion. Lawrence County also benefits from its connection to the region’s Old Order Amish community.“There’s a woman who started a business giving tours to people from all over the world that are interested in the Amish culture and the Amish lifestyle,” Bush explains.“There is tons of tourism as far as Lawrence County is concerned.” The downtowns in communities across Lawrence County are also a part of the appeal. Ellwood City, a quaint community with a bustling core, is one example.“Everybody wants to be on the main street, and sometimes it’s hard to even find open space to be able to move businesses into,” Bush outlines.“They have a very engaged chamber down there. They’re constantly holding events such as Wander Elwood in the summertime, during which they bring street vendors out and they just walk around the street.” In New Wilmington, home to Westminster College, the borough and the college have teamed up to revitalize the area, investing in beautification and 142 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08
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