Press Release Archives
Be sure to nominate your managers for a Heritage Award. The deadline for nominations is February 27, 2008. Awards will be given out on April 11th in Oxford at the luncheon during the Mississippi Historic Preservation Conference.
Download Nomination Form (PDF)
Legislative Reception Feb. 28 in Woodville
Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street is hosting a Legislative Reception on Feb. 28 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature legislators from the town and county as well as promote the Tourism Center on Highway 61 at Woodville. Woodville has also recently launched the first Facade Grant Program for businesses in downtown Woodville. The financial program will enable property owners to improve the appearance of their buildings.
Main Street Managers Converge in Canton
On Jan. 15-16, more than 50 Main Street managers and community leaders met at the Duncan Gray Center in Canton, Miss. The two-day workshop was led by Main Street staff and keynote speakers, Scott Day of Urban Design Services in San Antonio, Texas, and David Preziosi, Executive Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust.
Day spoke on the topic of "Urban Design for Retail Businesses." His lecture was followed by a Walking Tour Workshop of the historic Canton Square. Preziosi spoke on "The Work of the Mississippi Heritage Trust" including the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi.
Outside of the seminars, managers enjoyed networking at RJ's on the Canton Square and relaxing at the peaceful Duncan Gray Center. The retreat ended with a productive Roundtable discussion of successful events and happenings in Main Street towns around the state.
Go to MS Main Street Blog to see more pictures from the retreat.
MML Winter Conference, Jackson, Miss.
MS Main Street's Central District Director Jan Miller and Southern District Director Stacy Pair were guest speakers at the MML Winter Conference on Jan. 22. Miller and Pair spoke on "Community Development" to a crowd of community leaders and government officials from around the state. Miller and Pair challenged their audience to think creatively in a group break-out session. To see pictures from the MML conference, go to MS Main Street Blog.
MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES
Jackson, Miss.--Two new faces have joined Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) in Jackson. Jeannie Waller and Denise Halbach, both of Jackson, will serve in the MMSA state office under the leadership of Executive Director Bob Wilson.
Waller is serving as Director of Communications for MMSA. She is a summa cum laude graduate in English from Mississippi State University and received a master's degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi in 2007.
Waller has written for numerous publications including M, the Ole Miss journalism department's magazine, The Magazine Guide 2007 by Dr. Samir A. Husni, UM Lawyer magazine, Christian Single magazine, and The Daily Mississippian and Oxford Eagle newspapers. Waller is a member of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and is an active member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.
Halbach is serving as Program Associate for MMSA. She holds a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Halbach taught college theatre for more than 25 years and has directed more than 80 plays. She served as 2005-2006 President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference and has held a variety of offices for the Mississippi Theatre Association and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
The Mississippi Main Street program is an economic development program based in historic preservation focused on developing Mississippi's downtowns through a four-point approach: organization, promotions, design and economic restructuring. The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and it is a designated partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority. For more information about MMSA, please visit www.msmainstreet.com.
MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jackson, Miss.-- Bob Wilson has been promoted to executive director of Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) upon Beverly Meng's retirement. Wilson has been with MMSA since 1998, having served as director of program services and interim director.
"After working with Beverly Meng for the last 10 years, I could not have had a better teacher in 'all things Main Street'," Wilson said. "As MMSA moves forward, we will grow our staff to allow for more contact with our managers, members and local boards on a frequent basis and to enhance the level of training, educational opportunities and technical assistance that we provide to all communities that are involved in downtown revitalization."
Wilson named MMSA partnerships, advances in technology, and continuing education as important areas of concentration that will benefit communities and maintain MMSA's standing as one of the most successful programs in the nation.
"There are so many plans and projects in place that will amplify MMSA visibility, expand our community network, add to the professional development of our staff and firmly establish Main Street as the most effective economic and community development tool in the state," Wilson said.
Wilson is a 1973 graduate of Delta State University, and his career span includes 30 years experience in sales and marketing and 12 years experience in association management. Wilson currently serves as president of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives and is a board member of both the Mississippi Tourism Association and the Mississippi Heritage Trust. He is married to Lisa Robins Wilson. They have two children, Storey Kate (15) and Will Carter (13).
The Mississippi Main Street program is an economic development program based in historic preservation focused on developing Mississippi's downtowns through a four-point approach: organization, promotions, design and economic restructuring. The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and it is a designated partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority. For more information, please visit www.msmainstreet.com.
Hancock County is Ready to CONNECT Through Main Street Hancock County
JACKSON -- On Friday, November 30, Gray Swoope, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, will host a press conference to announce the designation of Hancock County as one of the first county communities in the state to be accepted in the Mississippi Main Street Association since Hurricane Katrina.
Area governmental, community and business leaders are encouraged to attend the meeting from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Mockingbird Café on Second Street in Bay St. Louis (second level meeting room). The meeting will be followed by a tour of Main Street and the Depot Districts in Bay St. Louis and Coleman Avenue in Waveland and the Highway 90 Business Corridor.
The Mississippi Main Street Association (www.msmainstreet.com) is part of a national program set up to assist in economic development, restoration and enhancement of downtown areas in cities and towns. The Hancock County program will focus on the downtown areas of Bay St. Louis and Waveland and the corridors that serve as gateways such as Highways 603 and 90. The Hancock Chamber working together with area merchant organizations, Mayor Favre and the City Council of Bay St. Louis, Mayor Longo and the City Aldermen of Waveland - advanced the application process through the Hancock County Community Development Foundation (HCDF). HCDF is a nonprofit organization formed in 2006 by the Hancock Chamber to support economic and community rebuilding in the county.
"The announcement of this program is significant as we work in partnership with government to rebuild our two sister cities," said Guy Johnson, president of the Hancock Chamber and a member of the Foundation board.
"The Main Street Program offers many advantages and opportunities," said Tish Williams, Executive Director of the Hancock Chamber & Foundation. "While they usually accept single municipalities, in our case we have joined as one community. Becoming part of this vital association will help us provide assistance and promotion for the entire county."
The National Main Street Center is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.mainstreet.org). It utilizes a "Four Point Approach" as a strategy for success in community-based revitalization efforts. The four elements of Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion and Organization are combined to address each commercial district's needs.
According to the program's website, "Organization involves getting everyone working toward the same goal... to implement a Main Street revitalization program. Promotion sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets... conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Economic Restructuring strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base."
"The program is a common-sense way to address the variety of issues and problems that face traditional business districts. The underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to today's marketplace."
Williams says that different elements of the program will apply to needs of specific Hancock County areas. For instance, "The Design part of the program," she said, "will be especially important to the Coleman Avenue area in Waveland as it rebuilds." "Promotion is a critical aspect to the existing Old Town and Depot District areas. The program offers a variety of resources that will prove especially valuable to the County in our recovery efforts," Williams concluded.
Over the next five years, the Cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland will implement more than $100 million in projects for downtown revitalization. Priorities for these developments include: replacing infrastructure; encouraging growth that is sustainable over the long-term; attracting tourists to the area to support area businesses; and maintaining characteristics that make Bay St. Louis & Waveland unique. The Main Street Program will work in tandem with local governments and organizations to coordinate and assist in this revitalization effort. The Chamber's Community Development Committee, chaired by Ron Magee, will serve as the steering committee to begin formation of the program. If you are interested in becoming part of the Main Street Steering Committee, contact the Chamber Office at 228-467-9048 or visit the Chamber's website at www.hancockchamber.org.
Plan Now for Great 2008 Farmer's Markets
October 8, 2007
Now is a great time to plan to startup or improve your local Farmer's Market or Outdoor Market for 2008. This study should give you plenty of leverage to rally your community behind the effort, and access to many successful markets in our own state (see photo Belhaven Market in Belhaven Urban Main Street in Jackson, Miss.) will help your community jump-start the process.
The Study: Up to 30 percent of U.S. consumers prefer to buy their fresh produce from farmers' markets or direct from the farmer, a nationwide survey conducted last year has found. That preference has driven a significant growth in farmers' markets, with the number more than doubling nationally between 1994 and 2006, according to government figures. Moreover, those who purchase directly are willing to pay a premium price - between seven and 23 percent more - for produce that is differentiated by being organic, local, or nutritionally superior, said researchers at Colorado State University (CSU).
"I think everyone knew that farmers' markets are popular because we see them around," said Dawn Thilmany, a CSU agricultural economics professor and lead author of the report, "but the good news is, it's kind of mainstream." Direct sales clearly trumped other venues in the CSU Study. "It is encouraging news for direct marketing producers that up to 30 percent of consumers prefer to buy from farmers' markets and direct from producers, while just 10 percent and two percent prefer to purchase fresh produce primarily from supercenters and specialty/health food stores, respectively," she added.
To review the study's results, click here.
Mississippi Main Street Association will designate 52nd Main Street Community on August 30.
JACKSON, MISS. August 24, 2007 – On August 30, 2007, the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) will designate Water Valley, Miss. as its 52nd official Main Street program in a formal ceremony to be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Water Valley. Water Valley enters the Main Street “Small Towns Program.”
Speakers at the designation program will include Mayor Bill Norris; Lee McMinn, Water Valley Main Street board president; Jessie Gurner; Water Valley Main Street manager; Joy Foy, Director of Regional Services and Asset Development at the Mississippi Development Authority; and Bob Wilson, MMSA director.
Wilson said, “We are so thrilled to welcome Water Valley to the MMSA family and to work with them to revitalize their town using the Main Street model.”
Immediately following the ceremony, committee training will begin in the Community Room of the Mechanics Bank.
The Mississippi Main Street program is an economic development program based in historic preservation focused on developing Mississippi’s downtowns through a four-point approach: organization, promotions, design and economic restructuring. The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and it is a designated partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority.
Mississippi Main Street Association Announces 2008 Board Lineup, Board Retreat Plans
JACKSON, MISS. August 2, 2007 – The Mississippi Main Street Association’s 2008 Board of Directors will retreat to historic Columbus, Mississippi August 9-10 to finalize the association’s strategic plans and budget for the 2008 fiscal year.
The 2008 Board officer slate is as follows: Suzanne Smith, Renasant Bank of Tupelo, is Board President; Chuck Ueltschey, Mississippi Power Company of Gulfport, is Board President-elect; Randy Burchfield, Bancorp South of Tupelo, is Board Treasurer; and Steve Kelly, Entergy of Jackson, is immediate Past Board President.
The 2008 Board of Directors are as follows: Bill Andrews, Viking Corporation of Greenwood; Jimmy Heidel, Department of Planning and Development for the City of Jackson of Jackson; H.T. Holmes, Mississippi Department of Archives and History of Jackson; Margaret Miller, Ocean Springs Main Street of Ocean Springs; Hibbett Neel, Neel-Schaffer of Jackson; Barry Plunkett, St. Dominic Health Services of Jackson; Steve Renfroe, Chevron USA of Pascagoula; Kenneth Ross, Port Gibson Main Street of Port Gibson; Leland Speed, Eastgroup/Parkway Properties of Jackson; Gray Swoope Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority of Madison; Jim West of the College of Architcture, Art and Design at Mississippi State University; and Billy Wiseman of New Albany. Designated representatives to the Board include Joy Foy, Mississippi Development Authority; Ken P’Pool, Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and Jane Britt Greenwood, The Carl Small Town Center at Mississippi State University.
The retreat will be based at Mississippi University for Women’s Plymouth Bluff Conference Center, but will include a Board tour of four recently renovated downtown buildings and apartment, a reception with local elected officials and Main Street leaders at newly opened gourmet food boutique, Le Gourmet, and a dinner meeting at Columbus’ famed Back Porch Restaurant.
Bob Wilson, director of the Mississippi Main Street Association, said, “Columbus is one of the nation’s oldest, and it is one of Mississippi’s most successful Main Street programs. I am looking forward to going back to our roots, and working with our stellar Board line-up who are all dedicated to continuing the Main Street mission - to develop Mississippi’s downtowns.”
The Mississippi Main Street program is an economic development program based in historic preservation focused on developing Mississippi’s downtowns through a four point approach: organization, promotions, design and economic restructuring. The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and is a designated partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority.
Manager’s Training Upcoming for Mississippi Main Street Association
JACKSON, MISS. August 2, 2007 – Managers for Mississippi Main Street Association are anticipating informative training on August 16-17, 2007 in Jackson, MS. The fall event, dedicated to the Promotions aspect of the four-point Main Street approach, will be hosted at the Cabot Lodge near Millsaps College on historic State Street near the state’s two urban Main Street programs, Belhaven and Fondren districts.
The two-day schedule begins Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and features expert-led sessions on marketing planning, community branding, and municipal wireless systems.
Speakers include John Baltuch, of Marketing Resources, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia who will speak on development of municipal wireless systems; Tripp and Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates of Greenville, South Carolina will present a session on community branding. In addition, the Muldrows will team up with Marianna Hayes, of HALO Business Advisors in Kosciusko, to teach the basics of community marketing plans. In addition, all experts will be on hand both days to provide one-on-one feedback and advice to attendees.
Bob Wilson, director of the Mississippi Main Street Association, said, “We are so pleased to be able to provide this superior level of continuing education to the community leaders of our state. Our communities each have a unique story to tell, and this training session will give them the tools to get the word out better than ever before.”
The event is open to Main Street managers, MMSA members and invited guests; pre-registration is recommended. Community marketing and development leaders are encouraged to inquire about this rare educational opportunity. For more information, contact Tammie Williams at 601.987.8741 or visit www.msmainstreet.com.
The Mississippi Main Street program is an economic development program based in historic preservation focused on developing Mississippi’s downtowns through a four point approach: organization, promotions, design and economic restructuring. The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and is a designated partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority.
(Download Agenda PDF)
(Download Details PDF)
Mississippi Main Street Association Announces Launch of New Web Site
JACKSON, MISS. July 14, 2007 – Mississippi Main Street Association is pleased to announce the launch of their new web site at www.msmainstreet.com. A new bi-monthly HTML e-mail newsletter accompanies the launch of the web site.
The web site was designed by Amber Patton of Webz Media in Germantown, Tennessee; Marianna Hayes and Andy Chapman of HALO Business Advisors of Kosciusko provided implementation guidance.
Bob Wilson, Director of Mississippi Main Street Association said, “This web site’s design reflects the historic preservation influence central to the Main Street program. The site as it is launched today is just the beginning of a new era for Mississippi Main Street Association’s overall communication strategy.”
The new web site provides an up-to-date calendar, membership information, member listing and community resources, among other things. The home page features news headlines and a featured community of the month. Photos throughout the site show the successes of the Mississippi Main Street program in local communities. Visitors to the site may also signup to receive the e-mail newsletter, which will provide additional case studies, resources, and other information to subscribers.
The Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and is a designated program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority.
Jan Miller Named Director of Program Services for the Central District
JACKSON, MISS. July 14, 2007 – Mississippi Main Street Association is pleased to announce that Jan R. Miller has been named Director of Program Services for the Central District.
Miller has worked extensively in the non-profit and educational sectors including leading positions at United Way of Lowndes County, American Red Cross, Columbus Municipal School District, and Main Street Columbus, Inc. Most recently, Miller served as Director of Alumni Relations at Mississippi University for Women. Miller has routinely been recognized and awarded for her strategic planning, event execution, and promotion development. She has achieved much success in the areas of fundraising, event planning, volunteer motivation, community relations and strategic corporate alliances.
Bob Wilson, Director of Mississippi Main Street Association said, “We are thrilled to have Jan join our team. She is a results-oriented individual with highly developed management skills. Her strengths add new depth to our nationally-recognized program.”
Miller will provide oversight and program support for approximately 20 Mississippi Main Street Programs in the central area of the state from the Highway 82 corridor south to the I-20 corridor. In addition, she will serve as fundraising and festival specialist on the Program Services team statewide.
Miller said, “While my support of MUW remains steadfast, my heart never left the Main Street initiative. Main Street is a program that I truly believe in and for which I hold great passion.”
Mississippi Main Street Association leads the nation in program success, and is a designated program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Mississippi Development Authority.
Mississippi Main Street Association Holds Annual Awards Luncheon
May 17, 2007. JACKSON, MS -- The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) celebrated the achievements of Mississippi’s Main Street communities and member towns at the Annual Awards Luncheon held at the Old Capitol Inn in Downtown Jackson today.
The featured speaker for the event was Beverly Meng, Executive Director of Counsel for Mississippi Main Street Association. Ms Meng assisted Suzanne Smith, MMSA President, with the award presentations.
Among the Award Recipients were announced (click here for full list and details)
Bob Wilson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Main Street Association said, “The 2007 Awards Luncheon gives us the opportunity to celebrate our annual award winners and pay tribute to our Main Street communities and volunteers who work dillegently to revitalize their downtowns.”
“We are proud that the Mississippi program consistently ranks in the top Main Street Programs throughout the country. These awards are an opportunity to recognize those individuals, businesses, special projects and agencies that make that high rank a reality,” commented Wilson.
Since 1993, when recording began, the Mississippi Main Street program, a program of the Mississippi Development Authority, has been responsible for $2.5 billion in combined public and private investment across the state.
The MMSA currently has fifty-one (51) active community programs throughout the state as well as over 39 member communities that receive limited services from MMSA. In addition to the investment figures stated above, the MMSA program has been responsible for over 3,852 new business, 21,712 new jobs and 2,095 building rehabilitations.
Fifty other states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Austrailia and over 1,800 U.S. communities participate in the Main Street program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s most successful Economic Development Program.
Mississippi Preserve America Communities, Grantees Celebrate in Vicksburg with Gov. Barbour, City and Federal Officials
August 16, 2007, Vicksburg, MS—Representatives and officials from the 14 designated Preserve America Communities and first four Preserve America Grants in Mississippi met at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center today to celebrate their heritage tourism and historic preservation accomplishments.
The event was headlined by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and coordinated and emceed by John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Also addressing the gathering were Mitch Butler, the Department of the Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and Vicksburg Mayor Laurence Leyens.
“It is more important than at any time in Mississippi’s history to work to bring the economic and cultural benefits of historic preservation to the state and its communities, and Preserve America is helping to meet those needs,” Nau said. “Heritage tourism and other preservation development strategies are absolutely key to the economic strength and brighter future of Mississippi.”
The 14 Preserve America Communities in Mississippi are Baldwyn, Biloxi, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Corinth, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Leland, Oxford, Pascagoula, Port Gibson, Raymond, and Vicksburg. The four Preserve America Grant recipients in Mississippi are the Mississippi State Historic Preservation Office, “Rebuilding Mississippi’s Heritage Tourism Industry Post Hurricane Katrina;” Biloxi, “Heritage Tourism Marketing Program;” Corinth, “Corinth Civil War Preservation Project;” and Vicksburg, “Regional Tribute to the 150th Anniversary of the Vicksburg Campaign.”
The celebration began with presentation of the certificate of designation, signed by Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of Preserve America, to Mayor Danny R. Horton of Baldwyn. This makes Baldwyn Mississippi’s newest Preserve America Community.
Preserve America is an Administration initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities. For more information, including a list of communities, neighborhoods, and grants, please see PreserveAmerica.gov.
