The Mississippi Main Street Blog

Greenwood's Main Street Station

Bob and Jan attended the opening reception for the new Main Street Greenwood office as guest speakers.  The Greyhound Bus Station was put into service in 1939 and now, after extensive renovation will house the Main Street Greenwood offices.  The station has been renamed the Main Street Station.

 

Lise Foy, Main Street Greenwood Manager, said renovations are on-going.  The offices, reception area and restrooms are complete. The next phase will include a storage area and a conference area.  Since the program’s inception in 1995, Greenwood has over $20 million in private and public reinvestment, 25 upscale downtown apartments & growing and over 200 jobs. 

 

Main Street Greenwood is definitely one of the stars of the Mississippi Main Street program. Council Members John Lee and Sen. David Jordan along with Joy Foy, MDA & MMSA Board Member were just some of the dignitaries in attendance. Board President Charles Swayze, III and Lise Foy welcomed the group before Wilson and Miller took to the podium.  Central District Director, Jan Miller, will be a frequent visitor to Greenwood as Main Street Greenwood is growing and adding more promotions and events under the leadership of Lise Foy.

Auburn Urban Design Studio

Bob, Jan, Sam Kaye, AIA, John Poros, Director of the Carl Small Town Center/MSU School of Architecture recently met with Cheryl Morgan, AIA and Director of the Auburn Studio in Birmingham.  The Auburn Urban Studio is doing some great work in Alabama’s small towns and the group from Mississippi is trying to offer something similar in Mississippi.  Although much work must still be done, Cheryl Morgan was gracious enough to give the group a tour of her facility and shared charettes and economic and community development reports from many of the 44 small towns the Studio has worked with.  Since Alabama’s Main Street program is being restructured, the Mississippi group hopes to incorporate the Main Street Approach in the final reports and technical assistance follow up to add to the value of the final reports. You can check out more of the Auburn Design Studio work at www.cadc.auburn.edu/soa/urban-studio .  The Carl Small Town Center has always been an valuable relationship with Mississippi Main Street; however, under Professor Poros’ leadership the Center http://smalltown.sarc.msstate.edu   and Main Street plan on partnering even more in the future to help revitalize Mississippi’s Downtowns.

Upstairs Downtown

        "Tour Downtown Greenwood's Premier Apartments & Lofts"

        4 - 8 PM

        Tickets: $20; On Sale at Main Street Station, Greenwood CVB, The Mississippi Gift Company, The Viking Cooking School

      Call 435-0365 or 1-800-748-9064 to reserve your tickets today!

      A portion of proceeds will go to Greenwood Main Street's façade grant program.

Farmers' Markets

Those of you who have Farmers Markets and keep your growers and producers on a database, please forward this link about the 2007 Deep South fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Mobile on December 5-6.  One of the ways to make your market more successful is to help your growers and producers be more successful.  Thanks, bob

 

http://www.deepsouthfruitveg.com/

Main Street Managers Rock the Boat

Sam Agnew, Polly Rosenblatt, Sharon Smith and Kay Miller prepare to cruise the Mississippi Sound.

Main Street Managers from all over the state converged on Biloxi Mississippi for the Mississippi Main Street Association’s fall Manager’s Training.  Following a day of engaging training sessions, the managers met for a networking reception at the Biloxi Schooner Complex.  In keeping with the spirit of historic preservation, the group braved the cool evening air to take a ride on one of the historic Biloxi Schooners- the “Glenn L. Swetman”.  These sailing vessels once were plentiful along the coast in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.  However, the introduction of marine engines has made them all but extinct.

The Schooners operate year round and are in great demand for business retreats, receptions and social events of all kinds.  There are also walk on tours available to the general public.  For information about the Schooners contact the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi MS at 228-435-6320.

Technology Alliance Conference

Mississippi Technology Alliance Conference on High Technology with a special session on WiMAX opportunities

November 28 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mississippi TelCom Center Theater in Jackson.

Download Flyer

Download Ticket Form

Download Driving Directions

Grant Information

Support for Battlefield Preservation Projects

National Park Service: American Battlefield Protection Program
The American Battlefield Protection Program, administered by the National Park Service, promotes the preservation of significant historic battlefields associated with wars on American soil. The program provides seed money for projects that lead directly to the identification, preservation, and interpretation of battlefield land and/or historic sites associated with battlefields. Grants may be used for a range of projects including site identification, documentation, planning, and educational projects. Nonprofit organizations; academic institutions; and local, regional, state, and tribal governments are eligible to apply. The application deadline is January 18, 2008. Visit the website listed above to download the application guidelines and forms.

Active Lifestyle Programs for Kids Supported

General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids Initiative
The goal of the General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids Initiative is to encourage communities throughout the United States to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people, ages 2-18. The Initiative will award fifty grants of $10,000 each to nonprofit organizations providing programs that demonstrate the greatest likelihood of sustainable impact on young people's nutrition and activity levels. Local organizations that work with children, including park districts, health departments, government agencies, Native American tribes, municipal organizations, churches, schools, YMCAs, Boys & Girls clubs, etc., are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is January 15, 2008. Visit the website listed above for program guidelines and online application information.

Staple Support for Education

The Staples Foundation for Learning is accepting applications for the December 2007 grant cycle.

Toyota Recognizes Literacy Educators

The Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Toyota and the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), is accepting online nominations.

Amber Murphree joins Columbus Main Street!

Effective Wednesday, October 17, 2007, Amber Murphree has joined Columbus Main Street as their new Main Street Manager!

 

Welcome Amber, we are pleased that you are on board!

Main Street Job Opportunity in Laurel, MS

Main Street Executive Director    

Laurel Express, Inc., a Mississippi Main Street project, is a non-profit organization promoting downtown development. We are seeking our first Executive Director to develop, conduct, execute and document a Main Street Program for Laurel, Miss. The director is responsible for day-to-day coordination of all aspects of the program and reports to the Executive Board of Laurel Express.

Qualifications:
Applicant must be a motivated, self-starter, possess excellent communication skills, have experience in managing boards and working with volunteers, and have the ability to work independently. Bachelor's degree or in-depth experience with a Main Street Program is desired. Strong computer skills are required with experience in Microsoft Office (Access, Publisher, Word, Excel and Outlook). Knowledge of QuickBooks is desirable. Some weekend and night work required. Finalists must agree to background check.

Annual salary:
  $24K-30K depending on   experience.

Send resume to:
  Laurel Express
  P. O. Box 1256, Laurel, MS 39441  
  or call 601-580-4720.