(L to R) FMSI President Wilson Greenlaw thanks Executive Director Ann Glave for her dedication during the February 9, 2016, Downtown Community Meeting. Photo copyright Fredericksburg.Today.
Fredericksburg VA Main Street Inc. (FMSI) reviewed the past year’s accomplishments and previewed the coming year’s goals during its February 9, 2016, Downtown Community Meeting. The pending nonprofit was founded to preserve and enhance historic Fredericksburg’s commercial downtown area.
New Board President Wilson Greenlaw, of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer said the board of directors has been expanded from seven to nine members. They are:
D. D. Lecky, vice president, of LibertyTown Arts Workshop
Brian Lam, secretary of Skin+Touch Therapy
Judy Nave, treasurer, of Virginia Partners Bank
Scarlett Pons, past president, of PONSHOP Studio and Gallery
Ben Wafle of Heritage Wealth Advisors
April Peterson of River Rock Outfitter
Melissa Okrasinski of CMS Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
Mike Carmody of Dovetail Cultural Resource Group
The board recently determined three goals for 2016. They are:
1 – Strengthen Funding Stability
Develop a stainable funding strategy to ensure organization stability, allowing the organization to support projects that maintain and increase the economic vitality of the Main Street District.
2 – Broaden Community Engagement
Increase community engagement that will result in new and improved partnerships and community education. The overall goal is to transform stakeholders — those who benefits from FMSI activities — into active partners — those who contribute to our activities. Contributions shall be defined both as monetary, as well as non-monetary — volunteer hours, participation and support.
3 – Create Vibrancy through Historic Preservation
The preservation and enhancement of this community will help to preserve the historic integrity of Fredericksburg, Va., and provide a rich cultural foundation for the community and for the long term success of our organization.
The board’s four committees and their primary goals for 2016 are:
Economic Vibrancy (formerly Economic Restructuring)
Chaired by Melissa Okrasinski
1 – Recruiting and retaining businesses
2 – Ribbon cuttings
3 – Exit interviews
4 – Connecting businesses with Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism
Design
Chaired by Mike Carmody
1 – Planters
2 – Holiday Lights
3 – Market Square banners and lighting
4 – Pop-up wifi in Market Square and Hurkamp Park
Organization
Chaired by Ben Wafle
1 – Complete the pending 501(c)3 status
2- Fundraising
Promotions
Chaired by April Peterson
1 – #LoveFXBG campaign (February 9 – March 9, 2016)
2 – Historic Half Marathon (May 13 – 15, 2016)
3 – Holidays in Historic Fredericksburg (November – December 2016)
4 – Ongoing publicity and social media
Executive Director Ann Glave said volunteers donated more than 4,000 hours in 2015, up from just under 2,000 hours in 2014. Volunteers are key to the organization’s success, she said.
Fredericksburg VA Main Street Inc. is affiliated with Virginia Main Street.
More
Fredericksburg Main Street Initiative Receives $25,000 Grant
Washington Post: Fredericksburg is Undergoing a Renaissance
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