2013 Work Plan- Luray Downtown Initiative to restore the economic - PDF document

~Our Mission~ 2013 Work Plan- Luray Downtown Initiative …to restore the economic base, historical flavor, beauty and vitality of our downtown district through partnering with our residents,Government and business groups. ~Our Vision~ …to be vibrant, successful, and economically stable area that attracts visitors and maintains community pride. 2012 Recap and Accomplishments Establish a Downtown Development Strategy Work with partners and LDI Economic Restructuring Committee to understand and build a Luray identity that will drive traffic downtown and create regional interest. Task: Position Luray as a Destination � Conduct targeted research to determine local and regional market characteristics � Progress: Art/Cultural Market- completed VEI grant and partnership with People, Inc to � determine � arts and cultural microenterprise needs in Page County and Luray. Outreach to local community � during Town Hall Meeting and targeted survey- needs assessment. Continue to serve on Page � Valley Arts Council and promote and support art related efforts. Analyze Luray service/product inventory and businesses � Progress: Gaining a better understanding of businesses downtown- challenges, impacts and � future goals. A more professional approach to gather data and determine a strategy is needed. � Promote a Luray brand � Progress : Successfully assisted in the promotion of Luray ʼ s Bicentennial. Developed � Bicentennial logo and slogan. Promoted consistent message and “look” in cooperative ads � for Town of Luray. Brought outdoor industrial art exhibit to Luray, designed and produced � mural promotional pieces, help facilitate a Bicentennial Mural Project, continued to brand BUY � LOCAL Luray, initiated conversations with Farmer ʼ s Market. Task: Attract and Develop Entrepreneurs � Analyze current inventory and commercial assets � Continue to foster relationships between businesses owners and building owners better � understanding of commercial rental rates, occupancy ratios, and available space for rent, � rehab, or sale � Progress: Commercial occupancy rates and rental rates identified and analyzed � Better understand local revenue sources, tax structures, incentives, and codes � Progress: Sales tax revenues analyzed based on cluster segments (service/professional/retail/ � restaurant/lodging). Initiated by LDI, revolving loan fund re-established by Town of Luray and � “creative” small business incentives discussed. Analyze employment opportunities and skill sets � Progress: Research completed on employment history, graduation and higher education statistics, � commuter segments etc. to include factories jobs and past and present skill sets. Using this � information, LDI partnered with local and state Small Business Development Center to prepare and � submit a $100,000 grant application-SBDC Portable Assistance “Page County/Luray Niche Based � Economic Development ”. Grant was not awarded in 2012, will try again. � Make LDI the support organization for local small businesses development/encouragement � Progress: More calls, questions and conversations were directed toward LDI than ever before. � Successfully council and supported new and expansion businesses- Trackside Theater, � Expressions Studio, Page One, McKim and Huffman etc. Prepared for Page Valley Arts Council a � community art facilities plan and presentation for Superintendent of Schools. Continued to promote � and work with Main Street businesses. Participate in statewide placed-based economic � development panel discussions. Better understanding of HUBZone practices. Luray Downtown Initiative • 18 Campbell Street Luray Virginia • 540-743-7700 • www.downtownluray.com

2012 Goals and Accomplishments Cont. 2013 Work Plan- Luray Downtown Initiative � Increase inventory to improve commercial flow downtown � Reorganize Main Street Boundaries and Historic District Boundaries to include historic buildings on � or near district borders Progress: North Broad Street Gateway Improvement Grant awarded by � DHCD to provide a better visual connection and address safety issues into the historic district. � Assisted with design and concept for infill project on East Main Street (Bicentennial Legacy � Planter) as strategy to improve pedestrian flow and streetscape enhancement downtown. Historic � boundaries and process identified. Market Bridge Theater Building to potential investors � Progress: Completed Bridge Theater Feasibility Study, challenging outcomes addressed in 2013. Improve LDI Fundraising and Grant Opportunities LDI’s operational funding is limited. Larger contributions would better sustain the organization and enable economic vitality and other related promotional work to increase in downtown Luray. Task: Better Position LDI as Luray’s Non-profit Economic Engine • Inform the general public about LDI’s mission and accomplishments through press releases and success stories. Ask for contributions and donations. Progress : Continued media attention, paid local and regional ads, promotional postcards, flyers, inserts etc. • Ask localities to increase their support donations Progress: Reduction in operating expenses with new office location, rent and utility assistance by Town of Luray. • Better educate residents and businesses owners on new sponsorship programs Progress: direct mail campaign, guest speaker New Market and Luray Rotary, radio show • Research and apply for appropriate grant opportunities Progress: Better allocation of duties with part-time staff person added and intern working over summer. Continue Event and Merchant Support LDI should continue its current participation, organization, and support of community events Tasks: Encourage larger tourism and community market to visit downtown Luray • Evaluate current market visiting the area and target more events and downtown activities to drawn their attendance. Progress: Regional partnership established with Rockingham, Augusta, and Page Counties with support of a VTC grant for Mountains, Valleys, Downtown Alleys concept. Added Shenandoah National Park to marketing efforts in greenway kiosks. Added new events- Luray Triathlon Pasta Feed and Turkey Trot with downtown focus. • Ask business owners to lend financial and marketing support. Progress: Facilitated larger cooperative ads showcasing recreational opportunities in Luray. • Improve monthly merchant meeting attendance and “on the street” merchant communication Progress: Hosted meetings in shops/restaurants • Work closely with Town to promote and organize Luray’s Bicentennial in 2012 Progress: Organized, designed, placement of ads, flyers and other promotional pieces for Town of Luray and Bicentennial Committee 2012 Training Participation: Art Town Meeting- People, Inc., Page Valley Arts Council Nonprofit Trade Show- Luray Manager’s Retreat, Summer Training- Virginia Main Street Art Is Business- Blue Ridge Community College and SBDC Place-Based Economic Development- Virginia Community Capital HUBZone and Entrepreneur Express- Small Business Administration 2012 Board and Committee Members Board of Directors- Monte Layman- President, Nancy Lee Shifflett- Temporary Treasurer, Linda Drum- Secretary, Brenda Beahm, Ron Vickers, Barbie Stombock, Todd Lynn, Rick Black- Ex-officio Promotion Committee - Nancy Brady, Susan Rocke, Jim Mayes, JoAnn Fargo, Kira Newman, Mary delaFontaine Design Committee - Pat O’Brien, Nancy Brady, volunteers (high school students/community) Economic Restructuring Committee - Stephanie Lillard, Todd Lynn, Sara Levinson, Joyce Krech (SBDC counseling)