Mitchell Main Street & Beyond marks 5 years at annual meeting

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Mitchell Main Street & Beyond marked its fifth year in existence this week.

The birthday was celebrated at MMS&B’s annual meeting, held Monday night at The Depot.

More than 50 people attended the event, which included a social gathering, dinner, an awards ceremony and the election of officers. Mitchell Main Street & Beyond is an advocacy group for the revitalization of downtown Mitchell and for local and small businesses.

Marty Cunningham was elected president of the board. Bob Schoenfelder will remain vice president. Billy Mawhiney was chosen treasurer and Carrie English, MMS&B’s first executive director, will serve as secretary. Two new board members, Jim Stangeland and Steve Clarke, were introduced to the membership.

MMS&B Executive Director Molly Goldsmith will mark a year at her post in April.

Here are the awards that were handed out. The honorees received certificates.

• Volunteer of the Year: Carol Gibbs for her aid in the Stake Your Claim Project.

• Property Improvements: Mitchell Realty, The Framer, Jerry Carey Travel, Ed’s Pet World, TMA.

• New Businesses: Tickled P!nk, Dakota Candy Co.

• Business Expansions: Dakota Candy Co., Dakota Scents.

• New Ownership: Cafe Teresa, The Sweet Shoppe & Deli.

• Business Relocation: A Touch of Envy.

• Mitchell Chamber of Commerce’s City Beautification Award Winners: Commercial, Design Interiors, Inc.; Residential, Matt Korzan; Public/Non-Profit, Avera Urgent Care.

Mitchell Main Street & Beyond has 70 members, including businesses and individuals, Goldsmith said.

Outgoing board president Jeff Logan offered an upbeat look at the group’s efforts over the past five years and pointed to a promising future.

“I think we’re in really good shape,” Goldsmith said. “We’ve completed a lot of our goals so far and now it’s time to move forward and have new ones. As the program grows and matures it’s time to move on to new goals.”

Board member Dave Brooks listed MMS&B’s 2012 goals:

• To support and promote the city council’s decision to change from one way to twoway traffic on Second, Third and Fourth avenues.

• Increase membership dues from 16 percent of the budget to 20 percent of the budget.

• Activate the organization committee and elect a chairperson by May 1.

• Develop informative/educational opportunities once a quarter, not only for membership, but also for the general public.

• Conduct an annual workshop for membership.

Doug Dailey of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism/Corn Palace Committee gave a presentation on the proposed expanded and remodeled Corn Palace and there was discussion on the proposal.

Some supported it while others wondered how a lengthy project would impact tourism and downtown businesses. MMS&B has not taken a formal position on the project, Goldsmith said.

“There’ll be an announcement on the topic when they’re ready to declare the organization’s support,” she said. “For the time being, we are encouraging our members and downtown to talk about the plan and let us know what they think of its many components.”

Tags: main street and beyond, news, updates, local, mitchell, downtown