Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown Development Authority reports recovery progress, launches facade grants and completes hotel study
Summary
Megan Raven told the board the Downtown Development Authority ran 19 promotions in 2024, completed 21 of 55 strategic-plan items, established a facade grant program with up to $10,000 matching grants (deadline March 7), and completed a hotel feasibility study; she reported one permanent downtown business closure since the hurricane but noted declining event attendance.
Megan Raven, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, briefed the City of Douglas Mayor and Board on Feb. 24, 2025, summarizing recovery work after a recent hurricane and plans to support downtown businesses.
Raven said the DDA organized 19 downtown promotions in 2024 and that, mid-fiscal year, the authority had completed 21 of 55 strategic-plan action items, with 28 in progress and six not started. "We've only seen 1 permanent business closure downtown that's been reported," she said, and credited city leadership for stabilization efforts following the storm.
Raven presented two funded initiatives: a facade grant program offering matching grants up to $10,000 (with awards as small as $500 to cover awning replacement or major facade improvements) and a completed downtown hotel feasibility study, which local partners recommended to diversify the economic base. She said the first-round facade-grant deadline is March 7, pending available funds.
Raven also reported high outreach after the storm—"over 2,200 contacts" to downtown businesses and property owners—and that up to 20% of contacts initially worried about permanent closures. She cautioned, however, that the last seven promotions have shown decreasing attendance compared with 2024, which the DDA is monitoring.
Raven thanked DDA board members, listing Chairman Jeff Hennessy, Vice Chairman Brian Norris, Secretary–Treasurer Joy Vickers and members Scott Moore, Dalton King, Michael Newton and Liz Grantham. She offered to make the hotel feasibility study available to the board and to publish details of the facade grant program through city channels.
