Mitchell Main Street and Beyond is attempting to hire a full-time program manager to lead the organization's effort to revitalize the downtown area.
The position is being advertised with a closing date of Feb. 1. Dave Brooks, president of the organization's board, said the goal is to hire someone by March 1.
"We're looking for someone who's a communicator," Brooks said. "They're going to be working with a lot of different groups -- the city and their various departments, the Chamber, business owners and property owners in the downtown area, as well as working with nonprofit boards and volunteers."
Mitchell Main Street and Beyond is in the process of becoming an official nonprofit organization. Last year, it began its membership drive and was awarded a $30,000 three-to-one fundraising match from the Mitchell City Council, meaning the council pledged $30,000 if Mitchell Main Street and Beyond could raise $10,000.
Brooks said the group raised the $10,000 and will work toward the same goal this year, thanks to another three-to-one pledge by the City Council.
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Mitchell Main Street and Beyond is following an approach to downtown revitalization advocated by the National Trust Main Street Center, which is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The four-point approach focuses on organization, promotion, design (the physical appearance of a downtown area) and economic restructuring.
Brooks said the full-time program manager's job will include following the Main Street Center's four-point approach. Local goals identified by Mitchell Main Street and Beyond's members in a recent survey include:
- Helping to maintain and upgrade the Corn Palace, and encouraging Corn Palace tourists to visit downtown shops;
- Expanding financing options, such as an existing facade improvement program, for downtown building improvements;
- Establishing a business improvement district (BID) or occupancy tax to help fund downtown revitalization efforts;
- Formulating a downtown parking plan;
- And helping restore historic downtown buildings to their original state.
