By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. — The lack of community and merchant participation during last month’s MainStreet Dayton Strawberry Masquerade has prompted board members to focus on promotional improvements.
“The tide needs to turn,” said Angie Kerr, board member and owner of The Gathering Place store, to encourage support of downtown.
Board Chairman Randy Wells suggested a new promotional campaign might engage merchants and garner more enthusiasm, and Executive Director Anna Tromanhauser said the organization’s new website would be implemented soon.
Kathy Griffin, a board member with the organization committee, passed out spreadsheets with volunteer names and upcoming projects and asked members to inform possible recruits on how to become involved. She also distributed brochures on the 3/50 project, which emphasizes “save your local economy … three stores at a time.”
Developing a functional MainStreet program will be “a slow, incremental process,” said Kimberly Nyberg of Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development and Nashville-based manager of the Tennessee MainStreet Program.
For more information, visit www.the350project.net, or become involved in your local MainStreet program by visiting www.tennesseemainstreet.org.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@bellsouth.net.
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