My Main Street, in a small town north of Boston, didn't die of a sudden heart attack.  Its death was slow and painful, over a handful of years.  The hardware store closed with a "Going Out Of Business Sale" sign.  The little Italian restaurant said "arrivederci".  The ice cream store held on for a while.  Sam closed and headed north.  Parking spots were open up and down Main Street as "For Rent" signs replaced window treatments on store fronts.   

I know.  Golden is doing great.  If you own property here, you've seen the value of that property grow.  Golden is "desirable".  Downtown Golden weathered COVID and, if Goldens in Golden is any indicator, people from near and far enjoy visiting Golden and spending money here.   

What could possibly go wrong?  Why shouldn't we just sit back and coast on Golden's current good fortune?  More to the point, why do we need the Golden Civic Foundation?   

GCF's story begins in the 1970’s when nearly 40% of Golden's downtown storefronts were vacant, and the businesses which remained open struggled to survive.  A near death experience for Golden.  Amid limited public funding, a group of visionary leaders - including Heinie Foss, Fred Pattridge, and Joe Meyer - founded the Golden Civic Foundation.  Sixty years on, their legacy is our vibrant downtown.   
 
History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, GCF provided emergency loans to help keep businesses afloat - to avoid a repeat of the 1960s.  GCF continues to evolve with Golden’s changing needs, providing over $20 million in grants, loans, and support for local businesses, nonprofits, and schools.  From revitalizing downtown to fostering civic engagement and funding essential community projects, GCF's mission is to enhance what makes Golden special in order to secure a bright future here for generations to come.   

That's my cautionary tale, and that's why I support the Golden Civic Foundation.   Golden is worth fighting for.  

My home town nearly died.  Golden is not immune from the same fate.