Chartered in 1995, the Saluda Business Association has grown to more than 80 businesses and individual members.

The mission of this organization is to preserve and promote Saluda’s natural assets, heritage and culture.

After 17 years, the group decided it was time to create a brand for the organization.

Reflecting the organization’s mission, the logo’s background image is the town’s historic business district, while the railroad tracks curving around the SBA acronym mark the beginning of Saluda’s commerce with the coming of the first passenger train in 1878.

With the new membership year that starts July 1, 2012, members of the SBA will be given a decal of this logo to put on display in store windows and business offices. Incorporated into the decal will be a new QR code that, when scanned by the camera on a smartphone, will take you to Saluda’s website, www.saluda.com.

The SBA sponsors the Saluda Arts Festival and Hometown Christmas each year. Civic projects have included the re-printing of the “100 Years Saluda” historical book published by Charlene Pace and Anne Osborne, and the “Through Your Eyes” books produced by the Saluda School fourth-grade classes over the years.

The SBA also funded the replacement of benches on Main Street; the new benches were built by Bill Crowell of Saluda Forge.

– article submitted by Cathy Jackson