Fairfield Main Street seeks county pledge; supervisors signal likely support

Representatives of a proposed Fairfield Main Street program asked Jefferson County supervisors March 30 for a multi-year pledge to meet the state Main Street program's funding requirements.

Mindy, representing local Main Street and chamber partners, said the state-level Main Street director had invited only three previously unselected communities to reapply and asked the county for a pledge covering the program's first three years. She said the Chamber and Grow Fairfield already pledged to match a $20,000 anonymous gift spread over four years, and that the city offered $15,000 per year for the first three years.

Mindy described goals and a governance plan: the initiative would form a separate 501(c)(3) with a board and a full-time director, and the initial goal is to have operating funds in place for the director's early years so that the role can focus on downtown revitalization work.

Asked what the county might commit, board members discussed a suggested example pledge of $1,000 per year for 10 years, noting the Main Street program requires documented multi-year commitments for the application. Mindy told the board, "If we don't make it this year, first of all, I will crawl in a hole and die," a remark met with laughter and used to underscore the urgency of fundraising for the application.

Supervisors said the item will be returned for a formal decision, with staff prepared to complete any necessary pledge paperwork by the program's deadline (the form requested by 05/01/2025). The board signaled informal support and discussed having one or more supervisors sign the pledge if the board formally approves it at the next meeting.