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Downtown Development Corporation reports new businesses, state façade grant and small-business incubator growth
Summary
Beth Ann Simpson, director of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation, reported 21 new downtown business openings in 2024, a state façade-improvement grant of $300,000, and progress on incubator tenant transitions and public art installations.
Beth Ann Simpson, director of the Jackson Downtown Development Corporation, briefed the Madison County Board of Commissioners on downtown economic and artistic development activity on April 21.
Simpson said 21 new businesses opened downtown in 2024, producing about 56 new jobs and $7.6 million in public and private reinvestment tied to rehabilitation and building projects. She said vacancy rates increased modestly but credit ongoing building rehabilitation for expected tenant growth.
Simpson highlighted a $300,000 state Main Street grant for façade improvement work that will start in the summer and target an estimated 15 buildings, including property-owner matches and CRA funding. She said the organization will begin an equitable application process and that work will include centralized dumpster enclosures and signage.
The director also pointed to a small-business incubator on Lafayette — 12 tenants since it opened in 2017–18, with 7 moving on to larger downtown spaces — and continued public-art investments tied to the farmer’s market and the city’s arts district.
Simpson encouraged commissioners and the public to visit downtown events such as the Art Walk and Food Truck Friday and to refer prospective businesses and residents interested in downtown property opportunities to the development organization.
