Denison Main Street board approves grant application for Music on Main as members seek new sponsors

The Denison Main Street board voted to apply for grant funding to support next year’s Music on Main concert series after staff warned the city faces a likely flat budget and possible cuts to tourism dollars.

Donna, who leads events for Main Street, told board members the council’s budget workshop the next day could confirm changes but that she is “anticipat[ing]” a loss in tourism funding and urged the board to pursue private sponsorships to fill the gap. Donna estimated the possible reduction at “probably 50,000” and said the board should begin outreach earlier than usual, targeting November–December to secure sponsors and consider multi‑year agreements.

A motion to apply for the grant was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. Board members discussed options for sponsorship tiers, multi‑year deals and “block” or co‑operative sponsorships to allow several smaller businesses to combine resources in place of single large sponsors. One director noted smaller sponsorship levels can raise substantial revenue when multiple businesses participate, while others warned about the administrative burden of delivering promised recognition to many small sponsors.

The board also asked staff to provide earlier and clearer budget figures to vendors so production partners (such as the event contractor Overdrive) can plan band and production decisions sooner than in prior years. The motion to apply for grant funding was recorded as approved; staff will proceed with applications and continue sponsor outreach.

The advisory board approved the meeting minutes and passed the grant‑application motion by voice vote. No dollar amount was adopted by the board at the meeting; Donna’s $50,000 figure was presented as an estimate pending the city budget workshop.