Louisville Downtown Partnership launched a multi-pronged advertising campaign in February. The goal is to drive community support for the downtown district. “Downtown is critical to the success of the community as a whole, so to remind people we’re here, and ready to welcome them back as soon as they are ready to come back, we’re…To read more — login/subscribe
The retail industry has been roiled by e-commerce and the pandemic, but retail remains a critical function in many downtowns. To fill vacant storefronts, you should follow a methodical process, says Jenn Gregory of Retail Strategies, a firm specializing in business recruitment and community development. She offers this eight-step recipe for recruiting retailers: Form a…To read more — login/subscribe
When Evan Kaufman became executive director of the Hopewell Downtown Partnership a decade ago, the small city’s core was struggling. The neglected downtown of Hopewell, VA, was filled with rundown buildings. Food options were sparse, and locals didn’t think downtown was safe. "In Hopewell, it was beyond downhill," Kaufman recalls. "It had already passed the…Continue reading
For decades, a former furniture store and warehouse in downtown Swainsboro, GA (est. pop. 7,396), sat empty. Now it’s a thriving hub that’s home to an antique mall and a gallery featuring local artists. Swainsboro’s project won praise for activating a long-vacant space. The turnaround was spurred when the city bought the property and completed…To read more — login/subscribe
Roger Brooks relishes the opportunity to visit a downtown for the first time. By casting a fresh, critical eye on the business district, Brooks, a branding and tourism expert, can find many areas for improvement. Sometimes he spots a conspicuous lack of benches along downtown pathways and in public spaces. He might recommend sprucing up…To read more — login/subscribe
Spaces which allow people with common interests to share ideas, equipment, and knowledge are becoming part of the urban fabric in many communities. Makerspaces provide individual work space, meeting space, networking opportunities, and equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, milling devices, and other items that individual entrepreneurs might not be able to afford on…Continue reading
Downtown Madness in Pueblo, CO, is highlighting the city center dining scene and helping restaurants attract new customers. Structured much like basketball’s March Madness, this popular campaign pits 16 restaurants against each other in a good-natured elimination-style competition that narrows the brackets down to eight, then four, and finally two, before the "Chompian" is selected.…Continue reading
Newark, NJ (est. pop. 282,102), has long suffered from blight in its urban core. To tackle that problem, the city last year launched Live Local, an initiative designed to attract residents by helping them pay for rent or home improvements. Newark Alliance started Live Local in March 2019 with a goal of adding 1,500 new…To read more — login/subscribe
For over twenty years, American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) has worked to develop strong local economies by nurturing entrepreneurs and increasing local spending. The nonprofit may be best known for its series of shop local campaigns including Shop Black Owned Indie Local (February), Move Your Money/Bank Local (April), Independents Month (July), Eat Indie Local (August-September),…To read more — login/subscribe
With his downtown struggling to make a full comeback from the pandemic, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston this year announced a Clean and Safe Downtown program designed to address some of the city’s most obvious issues. “Downtown Denver is the economic and cultural center of our city,” Johnston said when announcing the initiative. “It is the…To read more — login/subscribe
