GOSHEN COUNTY – Leann Mattis is director of the Main Street program. For the last two years, she has been in charge of The Banner Project for our county. The Banner Project is a national program that is seen on main streets everywhere. 

The Banner Project is made to honor our local heroes. Veterans or active duty. In November, main street will be adorned with banners which feature a local hero and details on their service. Torrington, Yoder, Fort Laramie, and Lingle all have veterans on their main street. 

 “The Goshen Main Street program is made up is made up of a board of community cultivators working to position, promote and preserve the downtown district to make it a better place to gather, work and play,” Mattis said. “Using a four-point approach that includes design, promotion, organization and economic vitality, the board’s main objective is to make downtown your favorite place to be, which in turn spurs economic growth and improves the quality of life.” 

The Banner Project is one of the things they do in order to better our town. 

There are plenty of spots still available for more veterans and Mattis would love to see more on our main street. 

“I know we have a lot of spots left, so if there is anybody out there that’s interested in purchasing a banner, we encourage families and friends of veterans to participate in this program and help us celebrate the courage and commitment of those who have served,” Mattis shared.

It is easy to apply and very worth it to honor our veterans. It brings a charm to the town, and it is so important to honor our veterans.  

“The application is straightforward and we’re here to assist with any questions or support as needed. Our initial purchase is $140.00, but your banner is displayed for two years with that purchase,” Mattis said. “So, you know, the material cost is something put into that, taken into consideration with that price point, but then your banner is displayed. So, say you buy one this year, it’ll display this year and next year for that price. And then, after that you have the option to renew your banner yearly for $40 or you can pick it up and take it home.”  

Another thing included with the purchase is a booklet which provides more detail on all displayed veterans. 

Mattis is currently looking for more sponsors for this project. 

“We have so many amazing businesses that help sponsor this program each year. So, what that does, is it kind of helps to drive the cost of the banners down for the families that want to participate,” Mattis said. “So, it kind of helps us, you know, like the banner that I had to replace, it costs money. I don’t want to have to, you know, charge that same family each year for a new banner, so it helps to cover the cost of those. It helps with like the brackets that we need to hang them and then it helps with the installation of the banner arms, replacing damaged banners, and helps keep the cost of banner down for families. So, any proceeds beyond the production costs go to the Main Street program itself and it just helps with future main street projects that we might have.” 

Sponsors can donate to the fund to help with pricing and in order to maintain current banners. Sponsorships are $250 for the year. 

“This project is a wonderful way to bring our community together, honoring those who have given so much for our country,” Mattis said. “We look forward to seeing our main street adorned with these meaningful tributes and hope it will serve as a lasting reminder of the valor and dedication of our local heroes.” 

For those interested in sponsoring or in honoring a veteran, Leann Mattis can be reached at Leann@gogoshen.com or you can find her number on the GoGoshen website. The printed application is fillable and can be returned to Mattis at GoGoshen.