CHESAPEAKE — Improving the look to the entrance of the Village of Chesapeake is the focus of the latest project of Operation TLC.

For the past eight years the volunteer organization has been known for its semi-annual cleanup projects along the main roads of the villages of Proctorville and Chesapeake.

“We clean up four miles between the bridges but we usually clean up for eight to 12 miles,” Billie Smith, founder of the TLC, said. “But we are not only about creating litter awareness. We are also about beautification. We are doing some little things that we think would help us beautify.”

With the Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau planning to put up new signs for the villages throughout the county, TLC’s current project is to improve the area parallel to State Route 7, where the new village sign for Chesapeake will be located.

“We want to beautify that right side,” Smith said.

A few months ago the CVB decided to put signs up at the entrance to the villages in the county and the city of Ironton.

“It will be fully paid for by CVB and the only cost (to the communities) will be installation,” Dr. Bill Dingus, director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corp., said. “What we are wanting to do is to develop a common image that follows throughout the county. Each community will receive two signs, one for each of the two most prominent entries.”

The signs are expected to go up in the spring.

The landscape plan for Chesapeake includes putting out knockout roses, a low lying lime green shrubbery that thrives in the sun, crimson barberry bushes and pampas grass along with decorative stones and rocks.

Cost for the project is estimated to be at $5,000 and already TLC has received donations from the Village of Chesapeake, the VFW 6878 Ladies Auxiliary in Proctorville and the Proctorville Woman’s Club. The organization has also gotten a $1,000 grant for the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc.

“Coming from Huntington, W.Va., into Ohio the welcome is rather unsightly,” she said. “We want to beautify our entrance into the state of Ohio.”

Funds are still needed for the project, Smith said.

Contributions may be sent to Operation TLC, in care of Steve Hutchinson, 28 Township Road 1352, Crown City, OH 45623. The organization has a 501c3 classification so donations may be tax deductible.