Come on downtown: Downtown Clinton utilizes the Main Street America program to promote revitalization, economic vitality and more

By Faith Hatton, posted Aug 17, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CITY OF CLINTON
The award winning “Milling Around” public art piece found in the heart of Downtown
Clinton was installed in 2012 as a capstone of a multimillion streetscape project.

Walking through vibrant Downtown Clinton, located in the heart of Sampson County, guests can see a combination of history, community and growth. This is due in part to the City’s cooperation with Main Street America (MSA), a nationwide program dedicated to preserving, building and showcasing downtown areas.

Established in 1980 as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, MSA was created as a way to address the myriad of issues facing older and historic downtowns during that time.

Now, 42 years later, the program is working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities. MSA has also helped over 2,000 communities across the country bring economic vitality back to their downtowns, celebrate their historic character and bring communities together through a number of revitalization programs.

The City of Clinton was one of the first 12 communities designated as a Main Street community in 1982 and is one out of four downtown areas within the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s coverage area to be a part of the program. Other members include the City of Dunn, the Town of Aberdeen and the City of Lumberton.

The City of Clinton is continuing their partnership after renewing their status as a Main Street America Community Member receiving their 2023 affiliation status earlier this year, with plans to continue seeing economic growth.

“The NC Main Street Program requires us to report annual statistics for façade improvements, public and private investment, volunteer hours, etc. As of 2022, Clinton has reported 86 rehabilitated buildings, 146 façade improvement projects, $6,544,000 in public investment and $9,354,000 in private investment, 12,639 volunteer hours valued at $257,127,” shared Mary M. Rose, Planning Director/Main Street Director, Clinton Planning and Development Department.

MSA offers four tiers of membership: Main Street America Community Member, General Member, Friend of Main Street and Allied Member.

As a recognized MSA Community Member, the City of Clinton has access to benefits including eligibility to apply for the Great American Main Street Awards and other special awards and grant programs, access to MSA provided publications, resource guides and training materials, tools for commercial district revitalization and more.

“The Clinton Main Street Program has been a Nationally Accredited Program for several years and we look forward to pursuing National Accreditation again in 2024,” shared Rose, “To be designated as a nationally accredited Main Street Program, it does involve participating in partnerships with other community organizations, investing in the promotion of the Downtown area, and maintaining and growing the volunteer base which enables the program to successfully support businesses, hold events, and beautify the Downtown area.”

City staff have utilized these resources over the past four decades to bring economic and commercial development to the area.

“The City of Clinton and Clinton Development Corporation have invested in three successful multi-million dollar streetscape projects since 2000. Our last project was completed in 2012 and as a capstone of that project, featured our award winning “Milling Around” public art piece,” shared Rose. “Each time public funds have been invested in these streetscape projects, private investment has followed.”

The City continues its work improving critical infrastructure thanks to funding from the MSA program and other projects through funding from the State of North Carolina.

The City of Clinton and Clinton Main Street Program are currently in the design phase for their Phase IV Downtown streetscape project which will extend underground utilities and pedestrian improvements down Wall and Lisbon Streets just off of the Courthouse Square.

In addition, the City has recently been awarded a Rural Transformation Grant by way of the Department of Commerce in the amount of $350,000 to do interior and exterior improvements to the City owned Sampson Community Theater building on Fayetteville Street, the latest in a long string of progress.

Rose also shared that collaboration with other Main Street America members plays an important part in keeping new innovative ideas flowing.

“We often share ideas, and visit other Main Street communities to learn more about how they are successfully using the Main Street approach. In July a group of Clinton Main Street Program Design and Promotion Committee members visited Kinston (another Main Street community) to learn more about their public art. Also in July, another group of staff and Clinton Main Street volunteers visited Wilson to learn more about their successful redevelopment projects. We often refer to these visits as “Main Street to Main Street” visits. Our fellow Main Street communities are always willing to share valuable information with us,” said Rose.

Rose shared that long term goals for the City include continuing to focus on expanding business support and recruitment efforts, building on the successful streetscape projects with additional Phase IV and V projects within the next 10 years, as well as growing special events and public art.

Another achievement which is close at hand is the creation of a 501c3 non-profit organization which will enable the City of Clinton to tap into additional funding resources to support these growing efforts.

“Each city and town in the National Main Street program utilizes the NC Main Street four point approach to address their own identified needs and goals. Clinton places a strong focus on small business support, promotional events, and public art and beautification efforts,” shared Rose. “All four points of design, promotion, organization and economic vitality are used to create a vibrant Downtown.”

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