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Main Street report: new digital gift card, fall events and grant applications highlighted
Summary
Main Street representative Amy Bird reported a Shop Fateville First digital gift card for 30+ businesses, a Bone to Be Wild October campaign, a $250,000 three-year three-star grant application, downtown improvement grants and a planned parklet project expected in early 2026.
Amy Bird presented the Main Street report to the Lincoln County Board on Sept. 23, outlining business-support programs, grant activity and upcoming downtown events.
Bird said the Shop Fateville First digital gift card has launched and can be used at more than 30 participating local businesses, with values from $5 to $250. She also described a Bone to Be Wild October promotion that will place themed skeleton displays on the courthouse lawn to spotlight local merchants and attract foot traffic.
Bird summarized the county’s transformation-strategy work with a state consultant and said the outreach collected 919 survey responses, ranking entertainment, food and beverage, and retail as top priorities. She noted the county applied for a three-year, $250,000 three-star grant to support downtown strategies and retail recruitment.
Bird reported a retail leakage estimate of about $330 million leaving the county annually and said First Saturday events are averaging a 13% year-over-year attendance increase despite poor weather. She also previewed a Fall in Love with Fateville festival in October, updates to the downtown improvement grant program (a $300,000 investment, with 12 private projects awarded so far), and a parklet project on Elk Avenue expected to begin early 2026.
Bird closed by noting efforts to engage youth leaders and recruit part-time support for Main Street operations; she asked for community support for positive messaging around local businesses.
