Kuhnsville Car Wash in Upper Macungie Township served as a gathering place recently for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the unveiling of a new community sign.

The welcome sign was funded in part by sponsorships matched with grant funding from the Main Street Lehigh Valley program of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation.

Western Lehigh Chamber of Commerce President Keith Reynolds was the speaker for the ceremony.

"Two-plus years ago, our board was looking for ways to increase the awareness of the WLCC among the local business community," Reynolds said. "The program produced several great suggestions, one of which was building on an idea we were previously considering - the community sign project."

Reynolds explained the western Lehigh region lacks a geographical "downtown."

"Emmaus, Nazareth, Bethlehem have natural downtowns created by the configuration of their towns," Reynolds said. "Wescosville, Trexlertown, Kuhnsville and Fogelsville don't.

"Our goal was to create a stronger sense of community by bringing together the local municipalities, businesses and the Western Lehigh Chamber of Commerce."

He said Kutztown University was instrumental in designing the signs to fit perfectly with the chamber's goals.

"One of our board members, Ron Lewis, former development director at Kutztown University, suggested we engage the KU Marketing Department to develop an official marketing program," Reynolds said. "It became a semester project for one of the classes run by Marketing Professor Doc Ogden. One of the students, George Markert, headed up our project."

Reynolds said they obtained costs from a Chamber member, printed flyers to promote the signs, and several board members signed on. Then they went out to sell the rest.

"What better place to symbolize the fit of a business with the community than the Kuhnsville Car Wash, founded by John and Carol Kuhns in a town named after their forbearers," Reynolds said. "The Kuhnsville Car Wash is a perfect example of a very community-minded business employing local citizens," Reynolds said.

Seven more signs are being installed throughout Upper Macungie Township, Reynolds said.

"The initiative has now moved over to Lower Macungie Township and will culminate in South Whitehall Township," he concluded.