'Swanton' arrow will guide drivers downtown once more

Following a long process, the large "Swanton" arrow should be installed this week.

The large neon sign reads "Swanton" and had previously been set up at the corner of Main Street and Airport Highway. It directed people toward the downtown area, which many people did not even know existed.

The refurbished sign will be located on the Rite Aid corner of the intersection.

The foundation was poured last week. "All that is left is for the pole to be set, the arrow to be placed atop the pole and the electricity to be connected," said Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce Director Neil Toeppe.

Swanton Welding is loaning the use of its yard crane for the installation of the sign. The installation will be dependent on availability of the crane, but will be either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, according to Toeppe.

The project has been two years in the making and is the result of the efforts of many local businesses, organizations and individuals.

T.R. Worline and Associates engineered the supporting structure and the mounting bracket, did the land survey and provided the survey legal description. Swanton Welding fabricated the supporting structure and mounting bracket in addition to providing the use of their crane and labor to set the pole and sign.

Squigy and Ziggy Graphics provided the lettering and outlining for the sign. Sampsel's Body Shop stripped and repainted the sign and supporting structure.

The Corn Festival Committee donated the money to replace the neon lettering and neon arrow outline. The Village of Swanton provided the labor to construct the form for the foundation and base. They also provided the legal work for the easement with Rite Aid to locate the sign.

Rite Aid has graciously provided the space on their property to locate the sign. Many Main Street businesses provided cash donations to pay for the concrete for the foundation.

Toledo Edison is providing the electricity for the sign at no additional cost to the village.

The total cost of the project for labor and materials is estimated to be in excess of $10,000, Toeppe said. All of it was donated by the many supporters of the project.