State Main Street™ Director Jenny Boulware spoke to the City of Dillon Downtown Development Committee at their meeting recently.
The Main Street™ program adresses four areas: 1) Organization (Restoring Civic Value), 2) Design (Restoring Physical Value), 3) Promotion (Restoring Social Value), and 4) Economic Development (Restoring Economic Value). The goal is to “restore value in downtown.” The program is a “proven model” with the idea that “commercial districts must be managed.”

The City of Dillon is a “Friends” level member of the Main Street™ program.
Boulware reviewed the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the Main Street™ development process.
The various roles with downtown and their responsibilities include:
-City Manager: Financial, Advocacy, Policy, Planning, Personnel.
-Downtown Advisory Board: Recruits influential members, educates about the program, shares details of the progress, provides feedback, helps in work plan development, and collaborates with the downtown director.
Boulware emphasized that the Downtown director does not do the work of the committees. The director’s primary responsibilities are promotion, design, and economic vitality. The director builds partnerships, coordinates activities, manages volunteers, oversees operations, and handles public relations all while focusing on downtown.
Committee responsibilities were reviewed. She said to celebrate volunteers.

Boulware also emphasized that this is not a one-person job and that it takes time to make downtown successful.
Boulware talked about some of the things that Dillon had already accomplished. They have developed a vision and a mission.
The Mission is:
Downtown, City of Dillon is devoted to enhancing our quality of life by working to improve the appearance of our Main Street, establishing partnerships throughout our communities, pursuing progressive concepts for economic evolution, and fostering a live-work-play culture.
The vision is:
Downtown Dillon is building a vibrant, attractive, and culturally inclusive Main Street that celebrates business excellence and welcomes innovation.
They have set goals. Their priorities include the following:
• A vibrant Main Street
• Great quality of life
• New developments
• Inviting places
• Partnerships
• Innovation
• Inclusion
• Tangible Results
The Dillon Downtown Development Committee has also completed project identification.
Dillon Downtown Development Coordinator Bridget Thornton said their four projects for this year are: 1) Municipal Wi-Fi, 2) “Walk Your City” Campaign signage, 3) Developing a Master Plan for downtown, and 4) Creating Uniform signage such as this property is available for rent.
There was discussion of enforcing the maintenance and appearance ordinance. Boulware said enforcement is Key. Council members present during that discussion said they would back up code enforcement if tickets were written.
Boulware ended her presentation by stating what “restoring prosperity requires: 1) Strong leadership, 2) Vision and planning, and 3) Unified effort. “
Those in attendance then asked question and engaged in discussion. It was noted that FY2020 façade grant applications were available.

Here is a pdf of the presentation…
Main St SC DILLON Aug 2019