SLIPPERY ROCK — With Main Street improvement projects completed, Slippery Rock Development members are starting to plan what's next for the group.

Originally formed to oversee the $5.3-million revitalization of Main Street which began in 2003, Slippery Rock Development has been meeting at least once a month since. The group also helped to administer the Franklin Street project which included $1.6 million of improvements to sidewalks and utilities.

The group's members are from businesses, Slippery Rock University, borough officials and citizens. The president of Slippery Development, Bill Sonntag, said he doesn't see the group fading away but changing its purpose.

Members have been discussing the change in recent meetings, according to Sonntag.

There are a few priorities they plan to work on, he said, emphasizing the group's role in business development in the borough.

"We brainstorm about business development, like what types of businesses will enhance the livability of the town," he said. "This will always be one of our key goals."

The group also is developing a strategic plan related to development, he said.

The group is still finishing up some details of work on Franklin Street, which is "98 percent"finished, according to Sonntag.

"We're also working to establish a permanent maintenance plan for the downtown," he said.

On Main and Franklin streets, for example, there are landscaping areas that need to be maintained. Now, it's done by volunteers, he said.

Money to maintain those areas comes from donations, with a big boost from the annual Brewfest, an event held at the North Country Brewing during Villagefest. Bob McCafferty, owner of the brewing company, donates half of the proceeds from Brewfest to the maintenance fund, said Sonntag.

Development members may help to administer borough projects later or to look for additional grants that could help improve the community, Sonntag said. The group has been helping with a grant for a sidewalk in the area of Route 258 and Kelly Boulevard, for example.

Mayor Ken Harris, a member of group, said it also has been talking about meeting with the borough council, the SRU Foundation, and other organizations to help brainstorm about what's next. In a recent meeting, Robert Smith, SRU president and development group member, volunteered to set up some of those meetings.

Developmentmembers have been talking about this next phase of interest for several months, according to Harris.

"It's definitely been on our agenda," he said.