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Main Street launches “Find your place in Wellington” campaign, funds walk-of-fame senior signs and seed scholarship
Summary
Wellington Main Street unveiled a long-term shop-local branding initiative, “Find your place in Wellington,” using Department of Local Affairs mini-grant funds for professional photos, video and marketing templates; the program also sold yard-sign sponsorships for all 101 graduating seniors and created a small scholarship seed fund.
Wellington Main Street told a joint work session that it will use a Department of Local Affairs mini grant to fund a community-wide shop-local initiative and related marketing assets, and that a related student-focused “Walk of Fame” yard-sign program sold all available placements and generated initial scholarship funds.
Why it matters: Main Street leaders said the campaign is meant to strengthen local shopping habits and community belonging over the long term, not just to respond to near-term downtown construction. Caitlin Morris, Main Street, said the slogan "Find your place in Wellington" is intended as an open invitation to residents and businesses and to be used across organizations.
Campaign scope and funding: Morris said the program is supported by a $25,000 allocation of the DOLA mini grant to hire a marketing firm (selected firm referenced) to produce graphics, templates, professional photography and a community video to give small businesses high-quality assets they can use. She described the work as a “base level” toolkit and said the grant rules restrict use primarily to the Main Street district.
Walk of Fame and scholarship: Blair (Main Street) presented the Walk of Fame project: 101 yard-signs for graduating seniors were offered for $20 each; businesses and community sponsors purchased all 101 signs. Blair said the signs raised $2,340, cost $1,170 to print and will seed a scholarship fund with the surplus. The signs will be displayed along Cleveland Avenue before being moved to the school; organizers plan to refine the process and launch earlier next year.
Business engagement and limits: Participants discussed that the DOLA-funded work is limited to Main Street businesses under the grant rules but agreed the assets could be expanded later to include all Wellington businesses if additional funding is found. Morris and other presenters said the campaign materials are intended to be shared openly with partners and to support marketing 101 training and templates for local businesses.
Next steps: Main Street and partners will complete photography and video shoots during this month’s events, host a marketing workshop for businesses, finalize the community video storyboard and share deliverables with partners for broader use.
