1. Ashland Main Street Association CLA Presentation – November 3, 2016
10/10/2017
Ashland Main Street Association
CLA Presentation – November 3, 2016

2. What is the “Main Street” Program?
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
What is the “Main Street” Program?
Developed by National Trust for Historic Preservation
Helps localities reverse economic and physical decline in traditional downtown business districts
“In order to save buildings, we have to save their purpose or create a new purpose.”
Virginia Main Street Program created in 1985
Ashland became a “Designated Virginia Main Street” in 2013

3. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Board Members:
Dan Bartges – previously senior VP with the Martin Agency
Bob Brown – Ashland Planning Commission
Jen Chambers – editor/publisher of “Get Centered”
Paul Davies – CFO of Randolph-Macon College
Lorie Foley – producer/director Ashland Musical Variety Show
Bill Gatewood – Board president, Ashland Train Day Chair
Sara Wright Holloway – executive director of the Center
Austin Joy – VP Carytown Chamber of Commerce
Hugh Joyce – owner, James River Air and Gallery Flux
Darrell Leftwich – Chair, Ashland Economic Development Authority
Tim McDermott – Chief Development Officer with Feedmore
Kelly Thomasson Mercer – Secretary of the Commonwealth
Jan Walker – owner of Hickory Creek Antiques
Suzanne Wolstenholme – owner of Homemades by Suzanne
Jack Zemp – VP at Allianz

4. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Accomplishments:
Coordinated more than 6000 hours of volunteer service
Hosted the 7th annual Ashland Chalk Walk and 13th annual Ashland Train Day, raising $16,000 in sponsorships and vendor fees.
Partnered with the Town and E.D.A. on the Drive Tourism initiative – earning a $10,000 grant
Served as a “Neighborhood Champion” for Small Business Saturday
Solicited entries for the Virginia Governor’s Tree ornament
Organized and hosted “Light Up the Tracks,” bringing thousands of visitors into the downtown.

5. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
2016 Accomplishments:
New Adopt-a-Spot Program
New Bicycling Brochure
Awarded $3000 REI grant to make improvements to Stony Run Trail and DeJarnette Park
Received Accreditation from the National Main Street Center for 2016

6. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Main Street priorities for 2016:
Fundraising
Creating a Railroad Avenue Experience on England Street
Marketing and Promoting Downtown Ashland

7. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Fundraising
New Sponsorship Program

8. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Fundraising: Main Street Supper Club
20% share on all guest bills that mention supper club donated to AMSA
Pick a slow night
Rotate restaurants
Invite Town Council & staff
Promote like crazy
Brings new customers
Good for restaurant, area businesses, Main Street

9. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Creating a Railroad Avenue Experience on England Street:
Pedestrian-friendly
Improved crosswalks
CSX Railroad Park
Golf carts?

10. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Marketing and Promoting Downtown Ashland
RMC Intern – 20+ businesses optimized for Google Business, Apple Maps, TripAdvisor, Waze
Working with Town and Ashland Economic Development Authority (EDA) on branding/marketing initiative

11. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Other Initiatives:
Support Town position on No Third Rail
Ashland, Virginia App
“Ashland Museum Inside Out” – 5 tours of historic neighborhoods with photos and audio/video
Soon to host business profiles
“Art McKinney Stewardship Award”
Applied for a $40,000 “Building Entrepreneurial Economies” (BEE) Grant – will help leverage Town Façade Grant and EDA Revitalization Grant
Excited to welcome COTU Brewery to Downtown!

12. Ashland Main Street Association
Downtown Business Leaders Roundtable
Ashland Main Street Association
Mark Your Calendars:
Nov. 5th – 14th Annual Ashland Train Day
Nov. 20th – Olde Tyme Holiday Parade
Nov. 26th – Small Business Saturday
Dec. 3rd – 2nd Annual “Light Up the Tracks” Grand Illumination

13. 10/10/2017
Questions?