The Mississippi Main Street Blog

Get Moving Mississippi:Long Leaf Trace Ride

Dad recently celebrated another birthday. His birthday wish? To ride the Long Leaf Trace from beginning (Hattiesburg) to end (Prentiss). He somehow talked the rest of the family into riding part of it with him. We made it 10 miles then turned around. Dad rode the whole 44 miles and LOVED every mile and minute.

The weather was mild for February, and the sun shined bright. It was a perfect day for a bike ride. I was pleased to see many other outdoors-minded people walking and riding the Trace. The path was well-kept and smooth, and there were rest posts every couple of miles. Different kinds of trees were identified with markers, such as the Long Leaf Pine and the Dogwood. As spring ushers in, it will be even more beautiful.

The Long Leaf Trace exemplifies one of Main Street's Four Points: Design. Design in a community is not just about buildings and streets. It is also about bringing nature into the community - through green spaces, parks, trees, and bike and walker-friendly paths. Other towns in Mississippi are working to make their downtowns more "green."                MS Main Street would love to hear what your town is doing.

I recommend the Long Leaf Trace to anyone. It is a great weekend/day excursion to escape, unwind, relieve stress, and soak up the sun. Happy riding!

Historical Preservation Projects Funded

The 1772 Foundation 
The mission of the 1772 Foundation is to preserve and enhance American historical entities for future generations to enjoy, with particular interest in farming, industrial development, transportation, and unusual historical buildings. The Foundation provides support for restoration projects throughout the United States. Examples of funded projects include endangered properties funds, mill restorations, historic farmsteads, restoration carpentry and crafts schools, and greenways that link historic sites. Successful grant applications should demonstrate positive community impact, multiple partners, and a solid financial and management structure. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Visit the website (linked above) for online application information.

Growing Downtowns

Here are eight framework principles that should guide a community's vision for downtown (adapted from the Downtown Idea Exchange):

1. Increase the density and diversity of land uses.

2. Strengthen the pedestrian experience downtown (Develop interactive maps of downtown).

3. Enhance public amenities along public sites, such as rivers, railroad stations, municipal buildings,etc.

4. Strengthen the connection to the natural environment (Green spaces, light bulbs in trees year-round).

5. Define the entrances to downtown (Branding your downtown with signage is key!).

6. Improve alternative access routes north and south of the highway.

7. Ensure that new infill and redevelopment contain site and architectural elements that reflect the desired character of the community.

8. Identify locations for public art and artistic enhancements.

Seven Reasons to do Farmers' Markets

With spring and warmer weather just around the corner, thoughts of fresh fruits and vegetables come to mind. Don't have a Farmers' Market in your town? Here are seven reasons why Farmers' Markets are the Cool Thing:

1.  Utilize foodways/local food systems
2.  Build rural incomes
3.  Access food (what people might call food deserts if fresh foods are not available locally)
4.  Promote wellness and health/fitness
5.  Revitalize commercial district (build patronage in your commercial district by providing more reasons for people to come)
6.  Build community (isn't it cool to have a farmers market in your neighborhood?)
7.  Make money (some markets are for-profit activities)

For those interested in learning how to set up a Farmers Market or better an existing one, sign up for a "Selling at Farmers Market" Workshop on March 8 in Jackson or March 15 in Starkville.

Museums: Risk Evaluations Available

Small and mid-sized museums in Mississippi can apply to participate in Heritage Preservation's new pilot project, the Risk Evaluation and Planning Program. Museums receive a professional two-day evaluation of risks it its collections, priorities for mitigating those risks, and assistance in creating or updating emergency plans.

Five institutions will be selected in May 2008. Applications can be downloaded at heritagepreservation.org/repp and they must be submitted electronically no later than March 31, 2008. For more information contact Mary Rogers at 202-233-0800.

Heritage Preservation's risk evaluation program is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Board of Directors Kick-off New Year

The MS Main Street Board of Directors met today for the first meeting in 2008. There were both new and longstanding board members present. Suzanne Smith (shown here with Bob WIlson) is serving as Board President this year. For a complete list of the 2008 Board of Directors, click here.

Historic Windows Workshop

 

Windows are significant character-defining features of historic buildings. Yet too often historic windows are lost because of a lack of understanding about their repair and maintenance.

MDAH is offering a one-day workshop on restoring and maintaining historic windows on Wed., Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The workshop will be held at the College of Architecture, Art & Design, Giles Hall, Mississippi State University. To register, call Michelle Jones at 662-325-2520 or visit mdah.state.ms.us/windows.pdf to download a registration application.

Mississippi Tour Guide published

The "2008 Mississippi Tour Guide" is now available from the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division and the Mississippi Tourism Association. The new guide offers the most up-to-date information to help plan for travel in Mississippi.

The guide provides lodging alternatives, including bed and breakfast inns, resorts, hotels and campgrounds as well as dining options. Sample itineraries are included and local contact information is provided.

The tour guide is free and may be ordered by calling toll-free 1-866-SEE-MISS, by visiting a Mississippi Welcome Center or visiting www.visitmississippi.org/.

Consumer Expectations

NOTE: The following tips are provided by Barbara Wold, Global Retail and Consumer Expert.

As poor customer service pervades around the world, consumer expectations are only on the rise.

Superior Customer Service: Strategies for Success

1. Always try to exceed customer expectations. You must have a strong understanding of customer needs as these dictate expectations. Conducting a customer service focus group and talking with your customers often will provide you with a true understanding of these needs. 

2. Track changes in customer expectations often and over time. Any successful company must learn to identify and adjust quickly to changing trends, many of which will be reflected in customer expectations. 

3. Make a strong first impression. The first contact with a customer often sets the tone for their lasting impression of the company. 

4. Be accessible, approachable and responsive. If your customer finds it difficult to get in touch with your company -- the prospect of developing a strong, long-term relationship built on customer service satisfaction is greatly diminished. Make a habit of regularly reaching out to your customers to enhance customer service satisfaction and build lasting relationships.

5. Determine how well your company delivers. Initial customer satisfaction research will provide a baseline against which to measure future improvement initiatives. 

6. Solicit input from your service personnel and front-line staff. Most public-contact employees are self-motivated to achieve customer service satisfaction. They are the best source for identifying roadblocks to superior service delivery. Spotlighting and addressing these issues not only improves customer service satisfaction but employee attitudes as well.

7. Improve employee satisfaction. Regularly conduct an employee attitude survey to measure and improve employee satisfaction. This will, in turn, have an impact on customer service satisfaction. More satisfied employees will provide better service to your customers. 

The following list provides a good starting point for thinking about customer service research and how it can help your company deliver superior service.

"Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?"
Frank Scully, writer and columnist 

Check out Woodville!

The following news was shared by Polly Rosenblatt, manager of the Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Associaton:

Woodville is so happy to have been declared a Certified Cultural Corner Community by MDA's Tourism!  We hope the Governor will come down to announce it and deliver the check!   

Also, Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street is hosting a Legislative Reception on February 28th from 12:00 to 2:00 for our legislators to showcase our town and county, and to promote the Tourism Center on Highway 61 at Woodville.  We are so very happy that this dream may become a reality!

Recently, our Wilkinson County Industrial Development Authority significantly increased its monthly stipend to us.  They see what we are doing to improve our community, and did not hesitate to give us what we asked for.

This week, we launched the first Facade Grant Program for businesses in downtown Woodville.  We know that this financial incentive will enable property owners to improve the looks of their buildings.