The Mississippi Main Street Blog

Cultural Tourism Center Meeting

Attending a meeting at the State Capitol in Jackson to further implement plans for the Tourism Center to be built on Highway 61 near Woodville are from left to right:

Mary Beth Wilkerson, Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division; Diane C Peranich, Chairman, Legislative Committee for Tourism; Larry L. “Butch” Brown, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Transportation; State Representative Angela Cockerham; David Smith, Alderman Town of Woodville, Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Board member; Janet Sullivan, Assistant to Commissioner Wayne Brown, Mississippi Department of Transportation; Polly Rosenblatt, Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association Manager; Jody Bradley, Woodville/ Wilkinson County Main Street Board member; Donnie Bell, Vice- Chairman, Legislative Committee for Transportation; State Senator Kelvin Butler; Darrell Broome, District Engineer, MDOT; Warner McBride, Chairman, Legislative Committee for Transportation.   Also attending but not pictured were State Senator Robert Johnson; Trisha Webber, MDA Field Representative for Wilkinson County, and Speaker of the House William J. McCoy who took an active leadership role in the initial stages of the meeting.   

The group, composed of representatives from appropriate departments, legislative committees and state agencies as well as local Woodville representatives, met to work on the plans for the Tourism Center on Highway 61 near Woodville. Check out Woodville, MS Main Street's featured town for April, in the photo album in the weblog's sidebar.

Check out New Town Albums!

"March Madness" has been the catch phrase denoting Mississippi Main Street's three town designations this month. Check out the newly published photo albums from each designation. Mississippi Main Street is proud to welcome Carthage, Holly Springs and Laurel into the Main Street family.

National Main Street Conference in Philadelphia

National Conference Slated for March 30-April 2 with Focus on Entrepreneurship and Diversity

"Diversity and entrepreneurship are the twin engines driving the success of local Main Street communities across the country," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Entrepreneurs and diversity add to local flavor, create a true reflection of a community's character, and contribute to an authentic identity and exciting business mix - all of which are essential elements that bring customers, tourists, new residents, and unique businesses to Main Street. For more than 25 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Streets Center has captured the spirit and diversity of America's commercial corridors by promoting vibrant communities that celebrate the local culture."

Spring Pilgrimages

Spring is here and with it Mississippi's annual Spring Pilgrimages. Don't miss out on a jewel of Southern history - the Antebellum South. You will be transported to the days of long ago while touring restored antebellum homes, walking through blooming gardens, performances in cemeteries, elaborate costumes and Southern hospitality galore!

The Main Street towns of Natchez and Columbus are currently hosting Spring Pilgrimages through April . Visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com and www.columbus-ms.org for more information.

City Dwellers on the Rise

Half the world's population will live in urban areas by the end of this year and 70 percent will be city dwellers by 2050, with cities in Asia and Africa registering the biggest growth, a U.N. forecast said Tuesday.

The report predicted there will be 27 "megacities" with at least 10 million residents by mid-century compared to 19 giant metropolitan areas today. But it said at least half the urban growth will be in smaller cities that now have less than 500,000 people.

Closer to home...

Experts say between five and 10 percent of a metropolitan area's total population prefers to live in an urban setting. That demand in metro Jackson has been grossly under-filled. The city currently has 125 apartment dwellings, and all are at full capacity. Downtown dwelling offers something suburbia doesn't. Downtown dwellers are within walking distance of their favorite restaurants, art galleries and other entertainment venues. Downtown Jackson also boasts the lowest crime rate in the city. Many developers have downtown apartments either under-way or on the drawing board.

Other Mississippi towns are are on the move to increase and improve downtown dwellings. Columbus has 125 downtown apartments with more on the way. Greenwood has also showcased its several downtown dwellings and held "Upstairs Downtown" events the last two years.

What's going on with urban dwelling in your downtown?

New Manager Training

MS Main Street recently held New Manager Training at the University Club in Jackson. MS Main Street staff - Bob Wilson, Sam Agnew, Jan Miller and Stacy Pair (shown standing) - made presentations and led managers through the New Manager's Manual.

If you were not there, you missed out! Be sure you catch our quarterly training and workshops. Here's a sampling of great words heard:

"A Downtown is a reflection of how the community sees itself." New Manager's Manual
"If you work the program, it will work for you."  Bob Wilson quoting board member Billy Wiseman
"When picking a diverse board, look under the table (at their shoes)." Stacy Pair quoting Beverly Meng
"A sense of place is what makes your downtown special." Stacy Pair
"People do not give money to causes; they give money to people." Jan Miller on fundraising
"Main Street cannot be all things to all people." Sam Agnew on need for manager delegation
"Successful organizations can explain their purpose and what they are trying to accomplish." Sam Agnew

Bob Wilson Elected MSAE President

Bob Wilson (shown right), Executive Director of the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) has been elected President of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE) for 2008.

Wilson was recently inducted into office at a Lunch and Learn meeting at which Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann (shown center) was the featured speaker. Wilson's term follows 2007 MSAE President Ann Neal.

"I am honored and excited to begin my term as president on the heels of Ann's term and look forward to working with her and the entire board as we continue the momentum from 2007," Wilson said.

Congratulations, Bob!