By Lauren McLane, Sentinel Reporter, August 14, 2011 The Sentinel - cumberlink.com | Posted: Sunday, August 14, 2011 9:57 pm

Downtown Carlisle boasts many unique destinations, from a French-style creperie to a Japanese-style noodle house. There are various shops, boutiques and even a theatre.

So what’s missing?

If you think you know, talk to Carla Snyder, the newly hired Downtown Carlisle Association retail recruiter. Her job is to figure out what Carlisle needs downtown and recruit businesses to fill those needs.

The Mt. Holly Springs native, who had been on the job for four days, said she was eager to get started.

“I grew up in the area. I went to Boiling Springs High School, then went away to college, then came back,” Synder said.

Her 2006 degree from the University of Pittsburgh is in environmental studies.

“Since I live right here in town I want to see the downtown retail area thrive,” she said.

After college, she worked for the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, a non-profit agency whose “mission is to conserve natural resources and open space for the benefit of current and future generations through the acquisition and protection of land in the Central Pennsylvania Region,” according to its website.

Because the DCA position is part-time, Synder will continue to do contract work for the conservancy, she said.

Last summer, she was one of the market managers for Farmers on the Square and she volunteers locally with farms.

According to Glenn White, executive director of the DCA, there were 18 applicants for the retail recruiter position and four candidates were interviewed.

Snyder was the DCA’s top choice.

“What set her apart was her knowledge of the town, being that she lives here. I love the fact she was an integral part of the Farmers’ Market when it started. Also, her natural taste of style, not only fashion but also aesthetics, because that’s what we’re really looking for, a person who knows quality merchandise, quality retail,” he said.

Snyder’s hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday, although she will be traveling to surrounding communities to recruit retailers there. Her salary is $27,000.

The position was created in 2007. White said Snyder is the third person to hold the job.

To contact Synder, email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call her at 245-2648.

Read more: http://www.cumberlink.com/news/local/article_47617218-c6e2-11e0-a3cb-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1V6bqhK1F

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