Before Hillsborough Pride can revitalize downtown Hillsboro, it must first re-energize itself. And the organization's volunteers and local business owners say they hope Executive Director Sandra Rubchinuk will be the one to do that.

Hillsborough Pride was created in 2000 as a New Hampshire Main Street program, dedicated to improving downtown Hillsboro by recruiting new businesses, making downtown more attractive, and drawing people in through promotional events. But before Rubchinuk was hired in January, the program was nearly defunct.

"They were on hiatus basically, trying to figure out whether or not the program was going to continue, whether it had the support in the community to continue and the financial stability to support the hiring an executive director," Rubchinuk said.

The organization had been lacking a director, its sole paid position, for close to a year. Two of its four committees were not functioning. Most of the organization's activities were co-sponsorships with other groups. At March's town meeting, residents approved a warrant article giving Hillsborough Pride $20,000 by just seven votes.

Rubchinuk, an environmental consultant with a bachelor's degree in urban studies and planning, was chosen out of 15 applicants. Now, seven months after she started work, Hillsborough Pride seems to be getting back on track. Herman Wiegelman, who has served on the organization's board of directors for six years, calls hiring Rubchinuk "the best thing we ever did." Wiegelman said that before she started, "There was a lot of dissatisfaction because nothing was happening that looked like progress. People were afraid to go before town meeting to get funding because we didn't have anything to show." But now, he said, "We have things happening."

Hillsborough Pride has continued several programs that were started in previous years: an annual Art in the Park, a farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer, and a town-wide yard sale. In May, the organization attracted about 50 residents to a town-wide cleanup day.

It has also started several new programs, mostly aimed at business revitalization. Last month, the organization sponsored two photo contests with cash prizes - one for downtown merchants to submit pictures of their newest window displays, and one for anyone who could "creatively and positively depict" Hillsboro's downtown. The winning photos will become part of a business recruitment package, which will be released at a reception for prospective business owners in October. The package, which is being created by Hillsborough Pride's business revitalization committee, will include information about town demographics, town services, prices for buying and renting commercial properties, and other promotional material. The committee also recently completed a promotional video about downtown Hillsboro.

When a new business comes to town, Hillsborough Pride hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In August, the organization will host its first golf tournament and fund-raiser at the local Angus Lea Golf Course.

The organization has also been working with town officials, and last month got the board of selectmen to pass new parking ordinances limiting all-day and overnight parking downtown. This will open up two-hour parking spots on Main Street for customers of downtown businesses.

"The goal is to revitalize downtown, to create Hillsboro center as a destination point for both residents and visitors, with a real thriving economy," Rubchinuk said.

Jack Wells, owner of Central Square Emporium in downtown Hillsboro and co-chair of Hillsborough Pride's business revitalization committee, said Rubchinuk has helped the volunteers focus their efforts on concrete goals, like the recruitment package. "We've finally got good leadership and we're headed in the right direction to improve the town," Wells said. "There were other efforts before, but they're more focused now, each of the committees in their particular area."

In addition to running programs, Rubchinuk said she has focused on building up the organization internally. She has been recruiting volunteers, and now has about 20 who are active. All four committees - design, organization, promotions and business revitalization - are up and running, although one still needs a chairman. The board of directors has grown by about four people, Wiegelman said. Rubchinuk herself has been going around town talking to downtown business owners.

Local business owners have had mixed reactions to the revived organization. Barbara Gaskell, manager of Premier Printing, said she was upset to find out about the window display contest by reading a local newspaper, without receiving any notification. "They don't seem to define the area they cover, and don't communicate well with businesses," she said. "I'm just not sure what their ultimate goal is."

Judi Heer, owner of German John's Bakery, said she is still waiting to see whether the renewed efforts will produce any real achievements. But she said, "The new director is around. The other ones weren't. And that makes a difference."

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