Introduced by Washington (noon) Rotary club member Trent Tetterton, Chris Furlough, president of Washington Harbor District Alliance, provided information on the status of both the Streetscapes Plan (which was recently approved by city council) and the Washington Harbor Market building, at this week’s Rotary meeting.

Chris Furlough explained that WHDA had been involved in coordinating the Streetscapes Plan which is intended to define an overall vision for the transformation of the downtown area. This will provide a framework for future projects such as the project proposed for relocating power lines under the streets. Reconstruction of the streets will use Streetscapes as a guide and so projects such as that will ultimately contribute to a more unified appearance in the area.

WHDA has recently purchased the building located at 140 W. Main St. and Furlough explained the concept of the Washington Harbor Market that will be located there.

“Agri-business” will be the theme, and it is planned to house a variety of local vendors. While some current vendors who participate in the outdoor market may choose to have a presence in the market building, WHDA will also continue to support the seasonal open market.

Chris Furlough concluded by explaining that, in his view, community organizations such as Rotary, WHDA and others, all have very similar missions and visions, which is to work toward improving life in Washington. These organizations work in close cooperation, while each have their own areas of focus.

WHDA is an organization of businesses and community members working to renew, restore, rebuild and revitalize the downtown business district, improve economic conditions, encourage tourism and preserve historical buildings and their significance. Find out more at http://whda.org/about/ or by calling 252-947-1487.

Local Rotary Clubs such as Washington Noon Rotary also support the Rotary Foundation. CNBC has ranked The Rotary Foundation No. 3 in its annual list of Top 10 Charities Changing the World in 2016. The list includes some of the largest and highest-rated charities that help women, children, the poor and the environment throughout the world, according to Charity Navigator, and that maintain high standards of financial health, accountability and transparency of reporting.

Washington Noon Rotary consists of volunteers within Beaufort County, dedicating their efforts to charitable causes both locally and those to which its parent organization subscribes.

Each year, this local group has raised and disbursed funds to local non-profits through creative fundraising activities. More can be found at http://washingtonnoonrotary.org/ and www.facebook.com/WashingtonNoonRotary/.