Today, the Morton Chamber of Commerce announced the second Morton Welcome Sign, originally planned for South Main Street, will be built at the intersection of Birchwood and Detroit Avenue on the southeast corner.

“The community team working on the project changed the location because the original site on South Main is owned by the Illinois Department of Transportation,” said Jennifer Daly, Executive Director for the Morton Chamber of Commerce. “We will need some additional time to gain access to that ground or to identify another suitable location on South Main Street.”

A team of local organizations and business leaders including the Morton Community Foundation, Morton Chamber of Commerce, Morton Tourism Association, and the Village of Morton have been meeting to develop the plans for a second sign since the spring. “This second sign will be very similar to the first one located near the soccer complex,” said Aaron Miller, Welcome Sign Committee Member and Board Member for the Morton Chamber of Commerce and the Morton Tourism Association. “We want a consistent look and feel to all of the signs we build for Morton.”

The campaign goal for the new sign is $15,000, but $8,200 of that amount has already been raised. “Most of the businesses who donated labor and materials for the first sign are willing to do so again for this second sign,” said Bill Aupperle, Welcome Sign Committee Member and Board Member for the Morton Chamber of Commerce. “That really keeps our costs down. We can’t thank all of them enough for their generous support and participation.”

The Morton Welcome Sign Team hopes to begin construction on the second sign this fall. Citizens and businesses interested in participating in the Welcome Sign campaign can download a contribution form at www.mortonchamber.org. Funds will be collected by the Morton Community Foundation and are tax deductible.