Holiday signage permit lights businesses

From tools to new cars, Maricopa’s Holiday Signage program is getting the city’s local businesses into the holiday spirit.

The program was started five years ago to assist local businesses during the holiday season, Micah Miranda, the city’s economic development director said.

This year the program started Nov. 15 and runs through Jan. 6.

Miranda said the permit allows local businesses to put out additional signage and holiday decorations and displays for free.

“It’s a fun way to promote holiday shopping and enhance the holiday atmosphere in the community,” he said.

Miranda said every city in the state is reliant on sales tax, so efforts like the signage program positively affect Maricopa.

“Residents who shop local not only help their businesses but their community, too,” he said.

Miranda said the tax dollars go to services the city offers residents such as the parks, police and fire, and road maintenance.

Craig Clement, general manager at Ace Hardware in Maricopa, said the store uses the program every year.

He said the special permit allows him to put blow-ups out front of Santa Claus and decorate the front of the store. 

Clement said the store puts out a sign for Black Friday but doesn’t do much else with additional signage to avoid plastering signs everywhere and making the city look messy.

Business always picks up this time of the year simply because of the holidays, he said, but the program provides additional help.

“It’s a nice program that we get to use and take advantage of,” Clement said.

Jones Auto Center in Maricopa is using the program for the second year, General Manager Nathan Hicks said.

He said the program is good for everyone – the city, residents and businesses.