Main Street director requests training, events and maintenance funds for downtown

Jennifer Stassney, the new director of Milledgeville Main Street, presented the downtown program’s priorities and funding requests to the City Council on April 28.

Stassney said downtown is an economic development tool that supports small businesses and urged investment in three areas: professional education, events, and contractual services for downtown beautification and planter maintenance. She asked the council to approve a minimum of 30 hours of annual professional development for the Main Street director (a program requirement) and listed specific line items: $2,000 for education and training, $10,000 for advertising and promotion, and $5,000 for contractual services and labor to support planting and maintenance. She also said the downtown planter program currently focuses on Hancock and Wayne streets and that there are roughly 54 planters to maintain.

“Downtown is not just the heart of our community,” Stassney said. “It’s Baldwin County’s front porch. When it's vibrant, active, and well maintained, it directly supports our small businesses.” She told the council she will supply a map clarifying downtown boundaries where needed.

Council members asked about which streets constitute downtown and whether planters and events were included in existing budgets; Stassney and the city manager said some requests are reallocations and others are new funding asks. The presentation did not result in an immediate vote; Stassney said she would provide detailed materials to staff and pursue grant opportunities where appropriate.