Palestine Main Street reports $75,000 PEDC grant for farmers market upgrades; Dogwood Festival set for March 22

At its Feb. 25 Main Street Advisory Board meeting, Main Street coordinator Mary Anne reported that the Dogwood Arts Council received a $75,000 PEDC community development grant to fund electrical work and pavement improvements at the farmers market pavilion, and that the Dogwood Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.

The grant and construction progress matter because they support farmer’s market operations and festival programming that bring visitors to downtown and encourage private reinvestment in adjacent properties, Mary Anne told the board. She also reported that two downtown revitalization grant applications totaling about $175,000 were submitted in January; one was not selected and the other remains pending.

Mary Anne, Main Street coordinator, summarized recent commercial changes downtown, noting three business closures and a scheduled April…