One more piece of amazing news! Main Street Fairmont was selected as a Preserve America grant recipient!
Main Street Fairmont received a grant of $20,000 to create pod-casts of Fairmont's older generations to document the history of downtown Fairmont. These pod-casts will be used to create a walking tour that people can download onto their ipods and mp3 players.
We are so excited about this project! If you would like to help please call or email the Main Street Office at 366-0468 or contact@mainstreetfairmont.org.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Great American Main Street Award Semi-Finalist
This has been one heck of a week as we received fantastic news! Main Street Fairmont was selected as one of ten semi-finalists for the Great American Main Street Award! This award recognizes communities who achieved exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America’s historic main street commercial districts.
This highly selective competition was open to all nationally accredited Main Street communities throughout the United States. To participate in the competition, candidates had to fill out an extensive on-line application that included statistical figures, a detailed narrative history of our organization and revitalization efforts as well as photographic documentation.
The second stage of the application process requires all semi-finalist communities to provide supporting documentation which includes maps, an official resolution of support from the local government and letters of support. If you would like to write a letter of support for Main Street Fairmont, please address the letter to Great American Main Street Award Jury. The letter must be sent to Main Street Fairmont by Friday, October 17 to be included in Main Street Fairmont’s application packet.
Since 1994, Main Street Fairmont has consistently championed downtown revitalization through economic restructuring, aesthetic appeal, community promotions and fundraising efforts. Because of Main Street Fairmont, the city gained 69 new businesses, 218 new jobs and rehabilitated over 137 buildings. In the past 13 years, over $53 million dollars was publicly invested in the town while over $11 million dollars was privately invested in our downtown district.
The other semi-finalists include:
Aledo Main Street, Inc.- Aledo, Illinois
Federal Hill Main Street- Baltimore, Maryland
Livermore Downtown, Inc.- Livermore, California
Main Street Toccoa, Toccoa, Georgia
Main Street Oberlin, Inc.- Oberlin, Ohio
Main Street El Dorado- El Dorado, Arkansas
On Broadway, Inc.- Green Bay, Wisconsin
Rochester DDA- Rochester, Michigan
Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc.- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
The National Main Street Center will announce the winner at the 2009 Town Meeting in March in Chicago, Illinois.
Thanks to all our volunteers who make Main Street Fairmont great!
This highly selective competition was open to all nationally accredited Main Street communities throughout the United States. To participate in the competition, candidates had to fill out an extensive on-line application that included statistical figures, a detailed narrative history of our organization and revitalization efforts as well as photographic documentation.
The second stage of the application process requires all semi-finalist communities to provide supporting documentation which includes maps, an official resolution of support from the local government and letters of support. If you would like to write a letter of support for Main Street Fairmont, please address the letter to Great American Main Street Award Jury. The letter must be sent to Main Street Fairmont by Friday, October 17 to be included in Main Street Fairmont’s application packet.
Since 1994, Main Street Fairmont has consistently championed downtown revitalization through economic restructuring, aesthetic appeal, community promotions and fundraising efforts. Because of Main Street Fairmont, the city gained 69 new businesses, 218 new jobs and rehabilitated over 137 buildings. In the past 13 years, over $53 million dollars was publicly invested in the town while over $11 million dollars was privately invested in our downtown district.
The other semi-finalists include:
Aledo Main Street, Inc.- Aledo, Illinois
Federal Hill Main Street- Baltimore, Maryland
Livermore Downtown, Inc.- Livermore, California
Main Street Toccoa, Toccoa, Georgia
Main Street Oberlin, Inc.- Oberlin, Ohio
Main Street El Dorado- El Dorado, Arkansas
On Broadway, Inc.- Green Bay, Wisconsin
Rochester DDA- Rochester, Michigan
Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc.- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
The National Main Street Center will announce the winner at the 2009 Town Meeting in March in Chicago, Illinois.
Thanks to all our volunteers who make Main Street Fairmont great!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Downtown Fairmont Scarecrow Contest
Main Street Fairmont is proud to host a
Downtown Scarecrow Contest!
Everyone is welcome to participate but MUST register with the Main Street office first!
Downtown Scarecrow Contest!
Everyone is welcome to participate but MUST register with the Main Street office first!
1. Participants must register by contacting the Main Street Fairmont office at 366-0468, contact@mainstreetfairmont.org or Sandra@mainstreetfairmont.org.
2. Scarecrows must be constructed from durable materials that will survive at least one month in the elements. Dimensions should be approximately 4’ by 2’ or so.
3. Scarecrows can be as creative as ever, just please make sure they are “appropriate” for family viewing.
4. Creators will be responsible for installing their scarecrows to their pre-assigned lamppost with Main Street supplied Zip Ties on October 4, 2008 between 7:30 and 10am.
5. Scarecrow must be removed by the creator on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
6. Main Street Fairmont is not responsible for your scarecrow. Please visit it periodically to make sure it is presentable.
7. Main Street Fairmont will provide you with a laminated sign for your scarecrow.
8. Scarecrow and surrounds can not impede sidewalk, parking meter, or access from street to sidewalk & parking meters. Once assigned a pole you might want to look at the location before deciding on your design.
Community members can vote on their favorite scarecrow through ballot boxes placed in designated downtown stores. Each person can only vote ONCE at each ballot location! Prizes will be awarded to Most Creative Design, Funniest Scarecrow, Scariest Scarecrow, and best overall.
Friday, September 5, 2008
10 things you can do to support downtown Fairmont!
10 Ways You Can Help Improve Downtown Fairmont!
1. Buy goods and services from local downtown businesses.
2. Attend community celebrations downtown.
3. Support efforts to keep the downtown clean.
4. Eat at a downtown restaurant at least once a month.
5. Perform as many errands and activities downtown as you can.
6. Walk – don’t drive – to see what downtown Fairmont has to offer. LOOK at the Historic Architecture.
7. Volunteer with youth or encourage youth to take part in activities that benefit downtown.
8. Take your friends downtown with you to shop, dine, or play – Meet for coffee or ice cream.
9. Participate in community discussion on the future of downtown.
10. Invest your time – Volunteer – take part in downtown revitalization.
See You Downtown!
1. Buy goods and services from local downtown businesses.
2. Attend community celebrations downtown.
3. Support efforts to keep the downtown clean.
4. Eat at a downtown restaurant at least once a month.
5. Perform as many errands and activities downtown as you can.
6. Walk – don’t drive – to see what downtown Fairmont has to offer. LOOK at the Historic Architecture.
7. Volunteer with youth or encourage youth to take part in activities that benefit downtown.
8. Take your friends downtown with you to shop, dine, or play – Meet for coffee or ice cream.
9. Participate in community discussion on the future of downtown.
10. Invest your time – Volunteer – take part in downtown revitalization.
See You Downtown!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Field Trip to Pittsburgh
On Friday, August 29, members of the Economic Restructuring Committee traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with representatives from the Penn Avenue Arts Initative. Henry and Matt graciously answered our questions about their revitalization of a neighborhood by incorporating the arts into their plans for development.
It was great to see what creative minds can do when people work together. We encourage everyone to take a trip up to Pittsburgh to explore the shops and galleries along Penn Avenue!
Board Members Retreat
On Wednesday, August 27, 2008, Main Street Fairmont hosted the board member retreat at First Exchange Bank. Bob Gribben graciously talked the board through their new roles while Karen Gribben gave a brief history of Main Street Fairmont.
It was an informative day for everyone and the first chance to see what the new board has planned!
Thanks to First Exchange Bank for allowing us the use of their facilities.
Annual Meeting!
On Tuesday, 
August 26, Main Street Fairmont hosted our annual meeting at the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority. The event was well attended with dignitaries traveling from Charleston for the event.
August 26, Main Street Fairmont hosted our annual meeting at the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority. The event was well attended with dignitaries traveling from Charleston for the event. Outgoing President Marcella Yarumchuk presided over the meeting. Main Street Fairmont Executive Director Vera Sansalone provided the annual summary report- detailing the events over the past year.
Awards were given to Carol Baker for her outstanding community service, and to John Pitman for his volunteerism. Charlie Fawcett, representing the Fairmont Community Development Partnership won an award for their work in energizing the Traction Square neighborhood.
Thanks to the organization committee for putting on such a fine event! We look forward to another year of great success!
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