Work on the Ironton Port Authority's project to improve Ironton's signage has officially begun with the installation of a brick-like border that the port authority picked up free-of-charge.

Dave Sparks is the owner of Ironton-based Border Magic, which installs custom extruded concrete borders. When he heard about the effort to replace and landscape around signs at Ironton entrances, he decided to donate some of his landscaping wizardry.

&#8220As you pass a sign, I always think, ‘My stuff would really look good around that sign,' and it's for the community,” Sparks said.

&#8220So I approached the mayor and he was all for it, and he approached Bill (Dickens, IPA chairman) and here we are.”

Sparks said that his process has some advantages over traditional borders, in its ability to be matched to almost any setting or look. It's also permanent, and extremely effective deterrent to the spread of weeds.

For this project, Sparks has the black border glistening with just a hint of Fighting Tigers' orange.

Of course, the biggest advantage of Border Magic to Ironton is that not only was the border donated, but the workforce behind the installation was donated also. Sparks' crew began a full workday at 7 a.m., installing borders at the Coal Grove, Hanging Rock and State Route 93 entrances to the city.

The sign for the Park Avenue/State Route 93 entrance to the city, a sandblasted sign made from composite wood, has already been ordered.

A new metal sign with a similar look will be placed at the Coal Grove entrance to the city. The metal sign currently at the State Route 93 entrance will be relocated to the Hanging Rock entrance, due to its history with the pig iron industry.

The funding for the project was received as part of &#8220Make a Difference Day,” the largest single day of volunteering in America. That event is set for this Saturday, and much of the work for the sign project must be done then.

Any civic groups or individuals that would like to be involved with the project can contact the mayor's office at (740) 532-3833.

Volunteers can also simply show up to work at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the office of Dr. Brent Zerkle, 901 Park Ave.