Main Street reports 404 respondents in downtown survey; dining and farmers market lead reasons people visit

Lisa, speaking for Main Street, presented the initial results of a summer survey and stakeholder charrette intended to guide downtown revitalization. She told the EDA that Main Street had "got 404 respondents, which was huge," and that the group had conducted two in-person engagement events and a charrette to synthesize priorities.

Lisa said most respondents were town residents or from the surrounding Eastern Shore area, and that the most-cited reasons for visiting Onancock were dining and the farmers market. She also said the project produced over 2,000 open-ended answers that require further analysis and that Main Street plans a full presentation to town council in January. "We will also share that with the EDA," she added during the meeting.

Board members discussed how EDA funding could complement Main Street work, for example by providing financing for building improvements that Main Street cannot fund, and talked about leveraging marketing grants and Frasier and Associates design assistance available to Main Street designated communities. Members agreed the data offered a useful starting point for prioritizing future grant applications and projects.