The Brundidge Business Association’s belief is that a sign is worth a thousand words and gave its nod Tuesday to two sign projects that will benefit the Brundidge community.

Sharon Sullivan, Pike County High School counselor, attended the BBA’s monthly meeting and asked for the business association’s support in PCHS’ ongoing efforts to keep students in school.

Sullivan said PCHS has several programs that are designed to keep students in school and increase the graduation rate. School absences in the lower grades are acute but become chronic in the upper grades, she said.

“We have a credit recovery program that helps high school students see a light at the end of the tunnel and will hopefully keep them in school,” Sullivan said. “What we are asking is for the community to join us in our efforts by showing its support of our school and students by placing PCHS signs at their businesses.

Sullivan brought a PCHS Bulldog sign as an example of the type of signs that local businesses could display to send a message to students that “It’s good for you here.”

The signs could have different designs of school support and would cost less than $10.

Dorthea Dow, BBA president, said the Pike County High School sign project is one that Brundidge merchants will want to support.

Lamar Steed with Steed Tire and Delatha Mobley with Mobley Business Service pledged their support to the project. Dow said support from other business owners should be forthcoming.

Billboards to re-brand Brundidge continued to be a major topic of discussion at the meeting.

The BBA has four billboards that are entrance signs to the city. All are in need of repair, but no decision had been made as to the design for the billboards. However, BBA members had a preference for the design that included a line drawing of Brundidge City Hall and the wording “Come Grow with Us.” The design highlighted shopping and entertainment opportunities within the city that could attract visitors – antiques, art, history and theater.

In August, Dow attended a Brundidge City Council meeting to make the council aware of the billboard design that was being considered.

That design was again presented to the BBA membership on Tuesday. The suggestion was made that the wording, “Come Grow with Us” be removed. A vote was taken and the design was approved.

Organizations that would like to have their events publicized on the billboard will have the responsibility of the cost of the panels that will be attached below the billboard.

Dow said the BBA will move ahead with the project.

In other business, Dow encouraged all BBA members to attend the send-off reception for the young women who will represent Pike County at the National Peanut Festival Pageant in Dothan in October. The reception will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30 at Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy.

The BBA sponsors the annual Miss and Little Miss Brundidge pageants each year. The Miss and Little Miss represent Brundidge at the Peanut Festival pageant.