MAIN STREET BOWIE 2009 WORK PLAN
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ORGANIZATION GOALS
Bringing people, groups and resources together to work for the betterment of downtown and the entire community.
• Broaden community involvement in Main Street activities and committees.
• Increase youth involvement.
• Increase contact with property owners and business owners/managers through a new monthly newsletters, e-mail communication and more networking opportunities.
• Coordinate with the Bowie Chamber of Commerce’s Development Committee and its sub-committees to assure communication and cooperative activities and projects.
• Secure City of Bowie funding for the next City fiscal year (October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010) for general operations for Main Street Bowie staff and office overhead, plus expanded funding for incentive grants.
• Host annual Main Street Community & Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
• Assist and support the Friends of the Bowie Auditorium and the City of Bowie’s Auditorium Advisory Board in their efforts to renovate the City Auditorium.
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PROMOTION GOALS
Using special events, festivals, public relations and media to promote Bowie and its businesses.
• Promote Main Street Bowie activities through a variety of public relations tools, including a monthly newsletter, press releases, e-mail marketing, a new Main Street Bowie website, and cross-promotion through other organizations’ websites.
• Coordinate activities in May during National Preservation Month.
• Plan and produce the 14th Annual Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival on October 3, 2009.
• Plan and implement the Annual Hanging of the Green to decorate downtown for the Christmas season by Thanksgiving.
• Plan and produce Santa’s House on December 5, 2009.
• Plan and produce the 18th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on December 5, 2009.
• Work with Main Street target area businesses to explore, plan and promote retail promotions.
• Develop surveys to be used at festivals and promotions to help evaluate the events, as well as to gather customer information.
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DESIGN GOALS
Encouraging quality design improvements through renovation and restoration of historic building, streetscape enhancements and compatible new construction.
• Focus on creating and/or managing codes, ordinances and related enforcement that provide an environment that encourages rehabilitation and development.
• Investigate municipal codes and ordinances or other programs that could provide downtown development incentives.
• Coordinate Downtown Improvement Grant program that offers matching grants for exterior building improvements and exterior or interior code-related improvements to buildings in the Main Street Target Area.
• Coordinate Downtown Clean-Up Days in May during National Preservation Month.
• Continue improvements at Chisholm Trail Park to include repair of trail route sign, park sign(s), and benches and/or picnic tables.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Strengthening the local economy by growing the customer base and improving skills for existing business and recruiting new businesses to serve market needs. Encouraging investment in downtown buildings and businesses.
• Assist owners with leasing and/or selling their vacant downtown buildings by organizing and promoting a Downtown Open House showcasing available buildings.
• Investigate municipal codes and ordinances or other programs that could provide downtown development incentives.
• Update the “Small Business Tool Kit” self-help resource guide for start-up and existing small businesses.
• Provide small business workshops or forums that provides both educational and networking opportunities.
• Continue participation in local and regional tourism efforts, such as the Bowie Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, Red River Valley Tourism Association, and the Lakes Trail Heritage Tourism program.
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