Hillsboro adding a digital sign
Staff writer
When Hillsboro’s digital sign is installed later this week it will be the culmination of a four-month campaign by Lions Club president Larry Funk.
“I thought it would be interesting to have a more localized deal to advertise or broadcast local events besides our sign by the highway,” he said. “It’s nice for what it is, but I thought we needed something a bit more modern and upscale for in-city advertising of local events.”
Competing with other sources of advertising doesn’t concern Funk since sign use will be a free service meant to promote Hillsboro events like graduation, car cruises, or sporting events.
Marion’s Pride committee helped get a sign in Marion eight months ago, but Funk said his inspiration was a similar project in Walton, taken on by the Lions Club there.
Hillsboro’s sign cost $4,500, and the club was able to limit cost by using Internet access provided by the city and having city employees handle installation.
While the Lions Club purchased the sign, the intent always was to give it to the city.
It will be installed at of D and Ash Sts., next to the city museums. The sign’s two 3-foot-by-7-foot displays will be turned to face people coming along D St.
“Most everybody in Hillsboro passes by and would see that sign when they go from D St. onto Main St.,” he said. “I figure all city-dwelling people should see something on here within 24 hours when it’s posted.
Money raised by the club during Marion County Fair, Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, and the club’s pancake feed were enough to pay for the projects, Funk said.