Main Street Hanford presents record attendance, new downtown projects and a $40,000 first-phase outdoor-speaker plan

Michelle Brown, executive director of Main Street Hanford, presented the organization's 2025 annual report and a proposed 2026 work program to the Hanford City Council on Feb. 3. Brown described Main Street's mission to promote downtown Hanford and support local businesses through events, façade grants and digital content.

Brown listed 2025 achievements including a record-breaking Thursday Night Marketplace that drew about 149,000 visits over 25 nights, a digital campaign that produced roughly 360,000 views for business videos, and more than $21,000 in façade grants awarded during the year. She said Main Street's social platforms have a combined audience of about 55,000.

As part of 2026 plans, Brown proposed installing roughly 15 outdoor speakers from Civic Park down Dowdy Street and across key downtown blocks; she estimated the first-phase cost at approximately $40,000. Other budget priorities she listed for 2026 included façade grants, promotional grants, crow abatement, continued digital storytelling and 32 downtown events.

Council members and the public praised Main Street's expanded programming and suggested exploring monetization, ticketing fee mitigation, and collaborative promotions (for example, couponing with Winter Wonderland and other large events). Brown said Main Street has savings/reserves and is monitoring credit card and ticketing fees; the organization is exploring transaction-fee reductions for tickets sold through its website.

Board members, volunteers and business leaders in the audience were recognized; Bill Lynch, Main Street board president, urged continued support and volunteerism.