The 2006-7 Program of Work  
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The following summary identifies (but not limited to) the program’s 2006-2007 goals, objectives, and work plan using the Main Street 4-Point Approach of: 

1.Organizational, 2. Promotion, 3. Design, and 4. Economic Restructuring.

The work plan listed is for the continued success of the revitalization of the Downtown Vicksburg Taxing District as directed by the nine member Main Street Board of Directors: Harry Sharp, Chairman,  Ronnie Bounds, Vice Chairman, Nancy Bell, Secretary, Alice Hebler, Treasurer, Jerry Hall, Norma Massey, Karole Sessums, Ginny Tzotzolas, Nicole Woodrick, and Lamar Horton, Ex-Offico City of Vicksburg Representative     

Organizational:

Employee full-time Executive Director and Assistant Director.

Operate under the rules and regulations governing the City of Vicksburg.

Director has weekly update meetings with Main Street Board Chairman or Executive Board.

Membership dues - 19 businesses have contributed a total of $2,650.00.

Advise Board Chairman in preparing agenda for the Board of Directors who meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8:45 a.m.

Assemble information, data, special reports and all written correspondence as directed by the Board.                                                                      

Corresponds with members through monthly newsletter and personal visits.

Attend Mississippi Main Street quarterly managers meetings, and State Conference “Destination Downtown”.

Keep in good communication with City of Vicksburg’s Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Special Events Co-ordinator, Public Affairs Director, T.V. 23, Community Planner, Architect, Landscape Architect, Code Enforcement, and Public Works as to upcoming and on-going projects in the Taxing District.

Guest speaker for various schools, churches, clubs and organizations.

Facilitate new businesses opening to inform new property owners and/or tenants of the requirements in the historic district.

Advocate for downtown central business district with other organizations, i.e.; Architectural Review Board, Chamber of Commerce, Vicksburg-Warren Community Alliance Tourism Committee, VCVB, Vicksburg Convention Center, Waterfront Mural Committee, International Chamber Music Festival, 4th of July Celebration, Riverfest, City of Vicksburg Parade/Events Committee, Ameristar Community Council.

Main Street Program sends a representative to Washington, D.C. with the delegation from the Vicksburg-Warren Community Alliance.

Annual Promotions:

Sponsor Downtown Vicksburg Fall Festival.

Sponsor Downtown Vicksburg’s Christmas Parade of Lights.

Sponsor Old-fashioned Christmas Open House.

Sponsor “Gifts Under the Downtown Tree”.

Co-Sponsor of Riverfest.

Sponsor Miss Mississippi Parade.

Sponsor Downtown Vicksburg’s Halloween Parade.

Sponsor Downtown Vicksburg’s Halloween Costume Contest.

Sponsor Mardi Gras Parade.

Co-Sponsor of International Chamber Music Festival.

Co-Sponsor of MS Diabetes Walk in downtown Vicksburg.

Cooperative ads with Main Street Taxing District merchants, i.e.; Bluffs & Bayous, MS Magazine, Yazoo Herald, V’burg Post, Delta Magazine, Banner Democrat, Crystal Springs Courier, WBBV, WRTM, WVBG radio stations, Cox Media t.v. ads, etc…

Cooperative ads with Vicksburg Factory Outlet, and Main Street on a yearly basis with a 4 week t.v. rotation in a 150 mile radius to encourage shoppers to “Think Vicksburg First For All Your Shopping Needs”.

Cooperative ads with Horizon Casion on a yearly basis to run on WJTV t.v. promoting downtown Vicksburg and upcoming events.

Downtown Dollars issued as gift certicatess or for promotional events, convention attendees, etc.

“Downtown Vicksburg... Everything’s Waiting for You” brochures/walking map.

Promote Tax Abatement Program.

Promote Gulf Opportunity Act of 2005. 

Attend various national and state conferences to gain more knowledge of current shopping/retailing trends, new tax incentives thus making  the District more attractive to consumers.                                               

Facilitate Board of Directors Annual Awards Meeting.

Provide “Destination Downtown” booth at Mississippi Welcome Center with informational greeter during June & July.  (Summer Youth Program)

Organize Rise-N-Shine Coffee for new businesses upon request.

Provided shuttle bus service from Waterfront to Downtown for Delta Steamboat Co. dockings.

Sponsor/Co-Sponsor of Moonlight Movies.

Doing more promotional networking with VCVB and Convention Center with convention attendees and trade shows.

Maintain independent “downtownvicksburg.org” web site.

Comprehensive local and regional marketing campaign “In Downtown Vicksburg Where Everything’s Waiting For You, We’re Rolling Out The Red Carpet For Our Guests”.

Visit other communities to observe successful promotional events. 

Design:

Façade Grant Program.  Two grants have already been  issued in 2007.  The grants were for the maximum amount allowed, $1,000.00 each.  There are currently 4 more applications applying for 2007.

Washington St. “White Lights in Trees” with plans to extend project.

Christmas Decorations – green wreath with red bows on street poles through out taxing district.

The Lester & Jackie Grant memorial Santa Claus Lane relocated to the Art Park at Catfish Row.

Provide Fall Festival Decorations (bales of hay, scarecrows, pumpkins, ghords) on street corners through out the taxing district.

Art Park at Catfish Row marketing/design committee.

Committee working on Crawford Square “brick” project.

Co-op Historic Preservation workshop with City of Vicksburg Inspection Dept., and Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation in October  2006.                                                                                                   

Economic Restructuring:

Visit other communities and cities to observe their mix of businesses.

In continuing contact with real estate agents, contractors, developers, investors, and prospective business owners as to the advantages of owning a business or residential living in the downtown central business district.

Provide available commercial/residential property for sell or lease.  Keep update listing of property for sell or lease. 

Participate in community effort by attending conferences to recruit new businesses to Vicksburg.

January 2007 Annual meeting – announced  new businesses opened.  There are currently 20 leased upper residential apartments on Washington Street, with plans for more under construction.

The Warehouse Hotel – 1418 Washington St. – Hotel Lobby/Lounge opened June 2007.

Work began July 07 redevelopment of the 900 block of Washington St. with upscale townhouses.

Plans are in the making for a luxury, full-service hotel, including a restaurant and retails stores in the Downtown Post Office building.

“Main Street” is Downtown…and Downtown is Vicksburg.