August 13, 2019 at 08:23PM
Since 2013, Main Street Port Clinton has distributed about $110,000 in grant money which funded exterior improvements to downtown businesses. Shown here are Main Street Port Clinton Operations Manager Nicole Kochensparger and Executive Director Nikki Adams. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
PORT CLINTON - The nonprofit group Main Street Port Clinton works behind the scenes all year long to maintain the vibrancy of the historic downtown district. Run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations and fundraisers, the group promotes and supports local business owners and keeps downtown an attractive destination for locals and tourists through revitalization projects and community events.
"We're kind of the cheerleaders for the downtown area," said Executive Director Nikki Adams.
Abbie Fox, owner of Lakelynn Designs, is a grateful recipient of that support. Main Street Port Clinton provided a Downtown Improvement Grant which funded half the cost of a new business sign which was installed outside Fox's shop in April. As a small business owner who opened her shop without the aid of grants or loans, the funding for the sign was a significant help in promoting her business.
Main Street Port Clinton continually works to improve and maintain the aesthetic appeal of the historic downtown district. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
"I invested all my savings into this shop, so (the grant) was major. I was so happy to receive it," Fox said.
Although Fox's main purpose for installing the sign was to help customers find her shop more easily, she also wanted its aesthetic design to add to the beauty of downtown Port Clinton, which is a major focus of Main Street Port Clinton.
"I wanted to bring some character to downtown, to spruce it up and hopefully encourage other business owners to help revamp downtown Port Clinton," Fox said. "Main Street Port Clinton is really doing some great things. I'm excited to be a part of it."
The support Main Street Port Clinton provides local business owners is not limited to structural improvements. Other benefits include print and advertising services and help with various permits, including architectural review board permits and event permits.
Main Street Port Clinton also possesses about a dozen liquor licenses that are available at a reduced rate to downtown businesses.
"They are specific to downtown and not transferrable. Once they're gone, they're gone," Adams said.
The organization is currently working with the city to establish a special improvement district which would provide centralized sidewalk cleaning and snow removal services.
A Downtown Improvement Grant through Main Street Port Clinton funded half the cost for this new sign which was installed outside Lakelynn Design in April. The boutique's owner, Abbie Fox, was grateful for the assistance and happy to play a part in enhancing the beauty of the downtown area. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
"We're unique because in the winter, some of our business owners are out of town and don't know what is happening," said Main Street Port Clinton Operations Manager Nicole Kochensparger.
Adams said Main Street Port Clinton has "an amazing relationship" with the city, and as a result of that relationship, the downtown area received new bike racks, planters, benches, and trash receptacles, and the upcoming outdoor seating area, which will create an area designated for drinking outdoors, should be open by Labor Day.
MORE: Port Clinton passes DORA law permitting outdoor drinking downtown
Main Street Port Clinton also gets a boost from its working relationship with the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce. They are two different entities which share staff and office space, creating a symbiotic cohesion which benefits both, and therefore benefits the community at large.
"We're two different groups, but our common goal is to promote the area. Main Street has a defined area within downtown, but the chamber has members from Toledo to Cleveland," Adams said.
Since 2013, Main Street Port Clinton has distributed about $110,000 in grant money. Its annual grant budget of about $15,000 is raised through the annual Walleye Festival.
"Every year, the committee hopes to get a little bit more," Adams said.
The group hosts a number of events which encourage downtown tourism, including Community Christmas; Riverfront Live! events which offer free entertainment every Friday night, and the upcoming Rock the Light Music Festival on Sept. 6 and 7.
There are a number of ways local residents can help Main Street Port Clinton support and promote the downtown district. Volunteer help and donations are always needed, and donors who sponsor the purchase of planters or benches can have a plaque placed on the item in honor or memory of a loved one.
One of the most significant ways locals can help is by supporting local businesses and events.
"Come out and support Port Clinton. Eat, shop, and have fun," Adams said.
For more information, call 419-734-5503 or visit historicportclinton.com or the Main Street Port Clinton Facebook page.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
Read or Share this story: https://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/story/news/2019/08/13/main-street-port-clinton-cheerleaders-downtown-area/1985199001/
Since 2013, Main Street Port Clinton has distributed about $110,000 in grant money which funded exterior improvements to downtown businesses. Shown here are Main Street Port Clinton Operations Manager Nicole Kochensparger and Executive Director Nikki Adams. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
PORT CLINTON - The nonprofit group Main Street Port Clinton works behind the scenes all year long to maintain the vibrancy of the historic downtown district. Run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations and fundraisers, the group promotes and supports local business owners and keeps downtown an attractive destination for locals and tourists through revitalization projects and community events.
"We're kind of the cheerleaders for the downtown area," said Executive Director Nikki Adams.
Abbie Fox, owner of Lakelynn Designs, is a grateful recipient of that support. Main Street Port Clinton provided a Downtown Improvement Grant which funded half the cost of a new business sign which was installed outside Fox's shop in April. As a small business owner who opened her shop without the aid of grants or loans, the funding for the sign was a significant help in promoting her business.
Main Street Port Clinton continually works to improve and maintain the aesthetic appeal of the historic downtown district. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
"I invested all my savings into this shop, so (the grant) was major. I was so happy to receive it," Fox said.
Although Fox's main purpose for installing the sign was to help customers find her shop more easily, she also wanted its aesthetic design to add to the beauty of downtown Port Clinton, which is a major focus of Main Street Port Clinton.
"I wanted to bring some character to downtown, to spruce it up and hopefully encourage other business owners to help revamp downtown Port Clinton," Fox said. "Main Street Port Clinton is really doing some great things. I'm excited to be a part of it."
The support Main Street Port Clinton provides local business owners is not limited to structural improvements. Other benefits include print and advertising services and help with various permits, including architectural review board permits and event permits.
Main Street Port Clinton also possesses about a dozen liquor licenses that are available at a reduced rate to downtown businesses.
"They are specific to downtown and not transferrable. Once they're gone, they're gone," Adams said.
The organization is currently working with the city to establish a special improvement district which would provide centralized sidewalk cleaning and snow removal services.
A Downtown Improvement Grant through Main Street Port Clinton funded half the cost for this new sign which was installed outside Lakelynn Design in April. The boutique's owner, Abbie Fox, was grateful for the assistance and happy to play a part in enhancing the beauty of the downtown area. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent)
"We're unique because in the winter, some of our business owners are out of town and don't know what is happening," said Main Street Port Clinton Operations Manager Nicole Kochensparger.
Adams said Main Street Port Clinton has "an amazing relationship" with the city, and as a result of that relationship, the downtown area received new bike racks, planters, benches, and trash receptacles, and the upcoming outdoor seating area, which will create an area designated for drinking outdoors, should be open by Labor Day.
MORE: Port Clinton passes DORA law permitting outdoor drinking downtown
Main Street Port Clinton also gets a boost from its working relationship with the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce. They are two different entities which share staff and office space, creating a symbiotic cohesion which benefits both, and therefore benefits the community at large.
"We're two different groups, but our common goal is to promote the area. Main Street has a defined area within downtown, but the chamber has members from Toledo to Cleveland," Adams said.
Since 2013, Main Street Port Clinton has distributed about $110,000 in grant money. Its annual grant budget of about $15,000 is raised through the annual Walleye Festival.
"Every year, the committee hopes to get a little bit more," Adams said.
The group hosts a number of events which encourage downtown tourism, including Community Christmas; Riverfront Live! events which offer free entertainment every Friday night, and the upcoming Rock the Light Music Festival on Sept. 6 and 7.
There are a number of ways local residents can help Main Street Port Clinton support and promote the downtown district. Volunteer help and donations are always needed, and donors who sponsor the purchase of planters or benches can have a plaque placed on the item in honor or memory of a loved one.
One of the most significant ways locals can help is by supporting local businesses and events.
"Come out and support Port Clinton. Eat, shop, and have fun," Adams said.
For more information, call 419-734-5503 or visit historicportclinton.com or the Main Street Port Clinton Facebook page.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
Read or Share this story: https://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/story/news/2019/08/13/main-street-port-clinton-cheerleaders-downtown-area/1985199001/