(Oklahoma City, August 11, 2017) – 66 community structures across Oklahoma have been chosen as projects for Fresh Paint Days. This Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) program is designed to encourage volunteers to seek out structures and renovate them with the creative use of resources. This year, Collinsville Downtown, Inc. was chosen as one of the 47 participating groups.

Fresh Paint Days is a program founded on the collaboration between H-I-S Paint and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. KOB, with the help of sponsors, provides the paint and a stipend for supplies; selected communities supply the volunteers. This program has helped to revitalize communities across Oklahoma with a fresh coat of paint.

“Collinsville Downtown, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation of historic Main St. and the economic vitality of our city as a whole,” said Kim Miller, Program Manager of Collinsville Downtown, Inc. “Having all the buildings look in tip top shape will only enhance the beauty of Collinsville, which will make people want to stop to shop and possibly come here to put down roots.”
H-I-S Paint and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful started the Fresh Paint Days program in 2005.

“H-I-S Paint is proud to have participated for the past 10 years in the Fresh Paint Days in Oklahoma initiative and we are eager to see the transformations for 2017,” said Joe Cox, founder and CEO of H-I-S Paint. “We know that each gallon of paint that we donate helps to Keep Oklahoma Beautiful by transforming communities one building at a time.”

When the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) began to support the program, KOB was able to offer participating groups a cash stipend to purchase supplies and make the program entirely cost-effective for participating groups.

“Public Service Company of Oklahoma is pleased to continue its support of Fresh Paint Days, and of the individuals and organizations who work hard to make their communities great places to live and work,” said James A. Evers, with State Governmental & Environmental Affairs for PSO. “For more than 100 years, PSO has been an active participant in efforts to promote and help the cities and towns we serve to develop and grow. Backing Fresh Paint Days continues our pledge to support our great state.”

Natalie Evans, the projects coordinator for KOB, works with potential participants throughout the application process.

“I am consistently amazed by the vision these groups have for brighter, more beautiful communities,” Evans said. “These participants were chosen because of that vision, and we are excited to support them as they endeavor to revitalize their communities. Fresh Paint Days truly is a great opportunity for these groups to reinstate community pride.”

CL Boyd, an Oklahoma equipment company, is providing three pressure washers to assist with the revitalization efforts. This year’s equipment recipients are BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center in El Reno, the Town of Carnegie, and the Town of Stratford.

The group will have 30 days to complete their projects using donated paint from H-I-S Paint of Oklahoma City and a stipend from Public Service Company of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and funding from the Anschutz Foundation.

Collinsville Downtown, Inc. will be one of groups competing for the “Best Visual Impact Award” through the, ‘Communities Primed for Change’ online contest. Finalists will be chosen based upon their ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos. Winners will be announced at the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful 27th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards Celebration on November 18, 2017.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is a statewide nonprofit with a mission to empower Oklahoma citizens to preserve and enhance the state’s natural beauty and ensure a healthy, sustainable environment.

For more information about KOB, Fresh Paint Days, and the sponsors of this program visit: www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com

"Rafters" at 1017 W. Main in Collinsville will receive a fresh coat of paint starting September 17th as part of the Oklahoma Main Street "Fresh Paint Days" program. The building was built in 1911 and has seen several occupants in the past century. I have a 1911 photo showing the original (unpainted) brick and a 1960s photo showing a white painted surface which is now showing through a later red paint job.