GREENSBUG — Main Street Greensburgheld their annual meeting on Tuesday to discuss reports from the 2015 calendar year.
Founded in 2010, the nonprofit was created to improve Greensburg’s downtown community, the organization says. They’re driven by what they call a “Four-Point Approach,” which includes organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.
For their 2015 design initiatives, through the Façade Grant Program (a fifty-fifty matching grant from Main Street Greensburg), they awarded $10,037.02 to building or business owners in the area, which generated a combine total of $21,438.01 into the community. The report says this is through enhanced buildings, support for new businesses and through the grant recipients use of local contractors.
Another project, the Trash Can Removal Program, also available through a grant partnership from the Decatur County Community Foundation and Decatur County Solid Waste, allowed for trash containers to be artistically designed in their attempt to enhance the physical appearance of downtown Greensburg.
Last year, there were nine new businesses and four business closings. In regards to business growth numbers, which is business relocation outside of the district but still in Decatur County, that number stood at a mere one.
In 2015, Main Street Greensburg introduced Magnolia Merchantile, Little Frogs & Faries, Flower Pot & More, Lightening Cell Phone Repair, Pro-Prints, Tri-State Artisans, He Is The Potter, Cristians Kinderladen and Manhattan Club.
But just in the last couple months, Panache Boutique and Rouge Bridal have both held ribbon cuttings in celebration of the opening of their businesses that sit along the street.
And as 2016 continues rolling along, Main Street Greensburg will continue looking for new businesses to open and for all – old and new -- to grow. It’s mentioned in the economic vitality portion of the report that, “This is accomplished by retaining and expanding current businesses, enhancing and educating business owners’ promotion and marketing skills and attracting new businesses that the market can support. Finding appropriate uses for vacant buildings is a part of this effort.”
Main Street Greensburg Executive Director Wendy Blake explained that business growth initiatives took place in 2015, and they’re attempting to keep that trend heading in the same direction.
“We have more people that are interested in starting new businesses, so we’re pointing them to the right people to help with that,” Blake said.
Year-end promotional statistics were also provided, through Facebook “likes,” and indicated that on Dec. 31, there were 4,350 social media “likes” on the Main Street Greensburg page.
“It’s the main form of communication with the community,” Blake said. “A lot of businesses are also on Facebook, so we can promote them on our page.”
However, the promotional portion of the report also acknowledged the 44 event volunteers and the 347 volunteers hours put into events such as the 23 Weeks of Summer Farmers Market, 6 Months Winter Farmers Markets, Main Street Community Exchange, Tenderloin Throwdown and the 3 Weeks of Holiday Walk Events.
In a letter from Blake included at the end of the report, she concludes with an optimistic attitude in regards to the future of Main Street Greensburg:
“This next year is gearing up to be a very busy year, and I can’t wait to reach this point next year and reflect on how our hard work has paid off in the results of a thriving downtown community,” Blake said. “It has been said many times, ‘If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.’ I invite everyone to dream with me on the limitless possibilities for our downtown district. May our successes spill out into the rest of the community.”