Economic program set with kickoff
Murphy - Mayor Rick Ramsey could barely contain his excitement when he kicked off the meeting, and it wasn’t just because McDonald’s donated breakfast.
“This is the opportunity for Murphy to take the next big step,” Ramsey said.
This is the N.C. Downtown Associate Community Program, which was introduced to local residents by state officials on the morning of Feb. 12 before a full house at the L&N Depot. Murphy is one six cities chosen for the program in 2020-21, and if the town succeeds it will be in line to possibly participate in Main Street America.
Sherry Adams and Chuck Halsall, coordinators of downtown programming and technical services for the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, explained the benefits of the program. Adams was impressed with the turnout.
“The program requires the community to be ‘all in’ because of the requirements and responsibilities involved,” she said, and downtown Murphy already has a lot going for it. Halsall added that it’s about “selling a positive image.”
Here is an overview of the Downtown Associate Community Program, according to the presentation:
- The two- to three-year process “provides communities with the organizational foundation necessary for long-term downtown economic development success.”
- The program is the pathway to move into a N.C. Main Street designation, which is “economic development within the context of historic preservation.”
- Main Street uses a four-point approach focused on organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.
- That approach features eight principles: comprehensive, incremental, self-help, partnerships, building on assets, quality focus, change and implementation.
- The benefits includes being involved in a partnership that includes design expertise, specialized training, technical assistance and networking with other downtown professionals that smaller communities often can’t afford.
“That leads to a solid, sustainable program,” Adams said.
Besides needing volunteers, Murphy’s cost amounts to only budgeting $5,000 per year for the next two years, Ramsey said, a small price to pay for what the town will receive in return. What the town will not receive is a large pot of money to divvy out.
Ramsey also announced the local board members who will spearhead this process:
- Nicole Hibbs with PNC Bank, who worked with the Main Street America program in another city.
- Kathryn Jenkins, who runs the Small Business Center at the Cherokee County Center for Applied Technology through Tri-County Community College.
- Billy Ray Palmer, a retired local history professor.
- Tim Radford, owner of WKRK radio.
- Brian Smith, president of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
- Paul Worley, director of economic workforce and development for the county through the college.
Ramsey said town council members Barbara Hughes and Gail Walker Stansell will be “the point of the spear” in making sure things get done. Two alternates will also be named to the board to keep the process moving forward.
There was an optimistic mood after the meeting.
“I 100 percent believe our town’s best days lie ahead,” said Keisha Dockery, owner of Black & White Market. “This program is absolutely going to push us in the right direction. It’s our job to keep it up, and why not, because we are the ones that benefit from it.”
“This seems to be about pride of ownership and bringing in traffic to lure new businesses,” said Randy Dockery, a real estate agent with Re/Max who also owns buildings downtown.
Ramsey said he has spent time in Hayesville, which successfully went through the Downtown Associate Community Program a few years ago. Murphy will have a follow-up meeting Wednesday, April 8.
“There was a great spirit of community involvement,” he said of the town’s neighbor. “Now let’s show them the passion of Murphy.”