Tag Archive for: #hvddc

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Thursday in Downtown Henderson

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Shamrocks on Breckenridge is just a few days away – come to downtown Henderson on Thursday, Mar. 17 to enjoy food vendors and entertainment to observe St. Patrick’s Day!

Amanda Ellis, chair of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission, reminds everyone to wear green to add to the festive atmosphere on Breckenridge Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The band Purple Admonition is scheduled to perform, as well as a 6:30 show by the Ballet Arts “Cloggers,” Ellis said.

Food trucks from RJ Wings & Things and Big Rob’s Fred Robertson will be on hand, as well as  Ryan Ball’s Kona Ice. Sandra Abbott and Westwood Church will have beverages.

The Arts Council will have cards for attendees to go on a scavenger hunt. Those who complete the card will get a prize.

Participating vendors include:

Participating vendors include:

  • H.A.P.E. & The Gateway Center – Tracy Moseley & Heather Joi Kenney
  • Gang Free, Inc. – Melissa Elliott
  • Turning Point Community Development (Mobile Learning Lab) – Chalis Henderson & Kate Delahanty
  • Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester
  • Vance County Sheriff’s Office – Curtis Brame & Debbie Scott
  • Granville-Vance Public Health – Gerald McNair
  • Perry Memorial Library –
  • Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – Frankie Nobles
  • Franklin-Granville-Vance Partnership – Smart Start – Gary Daeke
  • Henderson Family YMCA – Christine Bennerson
  • Henderson-Vance Downtown Development – Tracy Madigan / Amanda Ellis
  • Vance County Arts Council – Alice Sallins
  • Henderson-Vance Parks and Recreation – Kendrick Vann

HVDDC: Shop Downtown Henderson and Win Free Stuff

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Shoppers who visit retailers in downtown Henderson have a chance to get a little something extra, just for shopping local, thanks to a campaign sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Committee’s promotions committee.

Amanda Ellis, chair of the downtown development board, said the idea is to increase foot traffic in the downtown area – “get people in the doors and stores,” she told WIZS News Tuesday.

Shoppers attach their receipt for $25 or more from participating businesses for a chance to win a gift basket valued at more than $250. Shoppers can submit up to five receipts, Ellis said.

“We’re hoping this is going to jumpstart” retail activity, she said. “The idea is to get people downtown in the stores,” Ellis said. The campaign continues until March 1. The drawing will be held on March 1 at the DDC office, Ellis said.

Another wrinkle includes coordinating with the upcoming dance studios and competitions scheduled for McGregor Hall. Ellis said the plan is to get some food trucks to drive in some evenings and on weekends when the dancers and their families are in town, and encouraging them to eat local, too, instead of getting in their cars and driving somewhere else.

 

City of Henderson Logo

Downtown Director Kathy Walters Resigns From City of Henderson

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Kathy Walters, director of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission (DDC), has submitted her resignation to the City of Henderson effective September 30, 2020.

In a statement to WIZS News, Walters said she has “decided to retire and simplify my life.”

With approximately 10 years of prior experience working for the City of Henderson, including a turn as DDC director in the ‘90s, Walters returned to the role at full-time status in September 2019.

Henderson City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon said, “Kathy Walters chose to resign from her position, as she has several years of prior government service with the State of North Carolina. In the short while that I have been here, she has been a valuable member of my team and was instrumental in the City of Henderson regaining its status as a Main Street Community.”

A part of the Main Street Program from the mid-1980s until approximately 2010, a time that included Walters’ first tenure as director, a lapse in the completion of requirements cost the downtown area the coveted distinction.

The DDC announced last month that after a lengthy recertification process, the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center has officially renamed Henderson a designated N.C. Main Street Community. Benefits of Main Street status include technical assistance with building restoration and access to grant money – perks that can help attract new businesses and breathe new life into downtown.

Dr. Stephen Pearson, chair of the DDC, said Walters was instrumental in the reestablishment of Henderson to Main Street status and was personally helpful with his new role.

“She did a fantastic job as executive director, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with her,” Pearson said. “She was a great help to me transitioning into my position.”

Blackmon said the City will begin the recruitment process to name a new DDC director in the coming weeks. In the interim, Blackmon and Development Service Director Corey Williams will perform the day-to-day activities of Walters’ position.

Henderson/Vance County Business Broadband Survey Link

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https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HendersonVanceCountyBusinessSurvey

On Thursday, April 12, 2018, the Downtown Development Commission in Henderson conducted a board meeting at 4 p.m.  It was noted at that meeting that the link above to a BUSINESS Broadband Survey should be distributed.  The survey literally takes two minutes to complete.  As DDC Executive Director Kaine Riggan noted in his email to WIZS News, taking the survey will help us get broadband internet to the area.

The residential version of the survey in Vance County was completed 6 to 8 months ago.

If you live in a neighboring county, here are some additional links:

Click here for Franklin County

Click here for Granville County

Click here for Warren County

NCWorks Provides Graphic Designer For Downtown Efforts

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— press release from the Downtown Development Commission in Henderson, NC

The Downtown Development Commission is hosting four interns through the NCWorks NextGen Program this Summer, providing support to downtown merchants, events and city and county departments.

The program provides a respectable wage to new bachelor’s degree graduates for an internship placement of up to 480 hours in their selected career field.

The first intern, Quintin Davis of Warrenton, started Monday and will staff the Arts Council at 233 S. Garnett Street Monday through Thursday from 9-2. Davis graduated from Warren County Early College High School and attended the University of Mt. Olive where he earned his B.S. degree in graphic design.

“I love that I get to gain more graphic design experience while working in the arts field,” shared Davis who also participated in UMO’s concert choir. “I look forward to helping Henderson with its marketing and branding efforts.”

His first projects include signage for Vance County Veterans Services and a photo shoot of locally produced products for the county’s Economic Development Commission.

Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan provides supervision for the interns and is selecting the candidates to strategically fill key posts for downtown attractions, adding vibrancy to the central business district.

“The Croatan Club and the Emrose Gallery are the gold standard for how we want our historic buildings to look” shared Riggan. “Being able to staff it for regular hours says that we are ready for visitors and open for business.”

While Davis’ post will run through September, other recent graduates will start in May and stagger staffing needs throughout downtown for the next fiscal year.

Riggan also hopes to utilize new NCWorks interns for staffing the Bennett H. Perry Jr. Museum on Church Street and the Classic Car Showroom on Horner Street throughout the summer season.

Downtown merchants, city and county departments and planners of downtown events may submit requests for assistance to Kaine@DowntownDevelopment.org or call (252) 820-9785.

Multiple Projects on the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Director’s Plate

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Demolition, banners and a full-time contract were just a few of the items Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan presented to the Vance County Board of Commissioners at Monday night’s meeting.

As Riggan stated during Wednesday’s WIZS TownTalk segment, he reminded the commissioners what a resource the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) is to both the City of Henderson and Vance County and updated them on current and upcoming DDC projects.

Downtown Parking Lot

The demolition of the former Abagayle’s Book Store building has left a space that, along with the potential clearing of a vacant lot and adjacent two-story building, could create room for a parking lot. Located across the street from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, this lot could provide additional parking for downtown patrons.

Banners

In the past fiscal year, the Vance County Community Foundation awarded the DDC a grant of approximately $1,800 to improve the appearance of the downtown area. According to Riggan, while the grant was originally earmarked for new light pole banners to decorate Garnett Street, the reactions from the community were less than enthused about the prospect.

The positive community reaction from the large banner placed over the vacant Abagayle’s building before demolition led the DDC to request that commissioners allow a modification of the grant money for additional downtown window signage.

Riggan has big plans for the first banner location. “The banners will be used to add a little life. I’m getting permission one by one to do more signage. The first one [banner storefront location] is one owned by the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation,” said Riggan.

The first banner, located at 113 N. Garnett Street, will feature the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center located at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. According to Riggan, the current plan is to hold a photo shoot with Daniel Hendley Photography to capture local images and local people for this banner project.

“The curb appeal, the drive-by of it-you want it to appear lively and vibrant,” Riggan said.

Downtown Associate Community/NC Main Street Program

While Downtown Henderson is currently considered a downtown associate community, the DDC’s goal is to become a part of the NC Main Street Center once again. The Downtown Associate Community Program is an initiative of the NC Main Street Center and is the process through which NC communities become affiliated with the NC Main Street Center to receive additional downtown revitalization resources.

“Being a downtown associate community is like an internship into being a main street community, which is a 2-3 year process. Being a main street community opens you up to new grant opportunities,” Riggan explained. Riggan stated that downtown was formerly a main street community, but unfortunately lost that distinction and is currently hard at work to get back to that level of support and grant opportunities.

Part-Time to Full-Time

Part of Riggan’s presentation to the Board of Commissioners addressed the need to move the downtown development director’s contract from part-time to full-time. Riggan stressed that making his contract full-time could potentially shorten the process of transitioning to a main street community from three years to two years.

Future Goals

Another area of interest of the DDC is taking advantage of historic tax credits and low income tax credits to encourage more people to live in the downtown area. Riggan sees great potential in the upstairs space of some of the downtown businesses and is impressed by the living spaces that already exist in the area.

 

Local Grant Funds Garnett Street Improvements

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— press release, H-V DDC

Local Grant Funds Garnett Street Improvements

Garnett Street will soon see more billboard vinyl advertising over some of the vacant storefronts thanks to a grant from the Vance County Community Foundation.

The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission will use a grant of $1,880 from the foundation to design and install colorful vinyl billboard-type signage that will promote downtown events, specifically the McGregor Hall season and the annual classic car show, which continues to expand each year.

“Community response has been very positive for the ads we placed on the front of the former Abagayle’s Book Store in the Fall,” admits Kaine Riggan, Downtown Development Director. “It brings life to a dead space while sending the message that downtown is open for business.”

Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan, Vance County Community Foundation President Fagan Goodwin, and Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington in front of the signage improvements completed at the former Abagayle’s Books

Riggan adds that storefront signage for vacant spaces was one of the key recommendations sited in the 2017 “Greenberg Report”, a grant-funded revitalization study of Henderson’s Central Business District by the Charlotte-based city planning consultant Hillary Greenberg.

The first project will be on the windows of 113 N. Garnett Street, owned by the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and used for set and prop storage. That design will feature the look of a theatre and promote the upcoming shows at McGregor Hall. The second will redress the front of the two garages at 425 S. Garnett Street to look like a classic car showroom promoting the dates for the next Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event, produced by the county’s tourism department.

Fagan Goodwin, board president for the Vance County Community Foundation shares that she is delighted to see the momentum that downtown is experiencing and proud that the foundation can be supportive of that. “These grants are important to our community and our quality of life,” she said.

Signage will be printed and installed by downtown’s Kerr Lake Signs and Banners on Chestnut Street and is scheduled for installation in February.

Downtown Business Owners Receive Fascade Improvement Grants

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— by Kaine Riggan

The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission awarded three grants to local entrepreneurs recently. Grantees were selected through a competitive grant process to assist businesses in the downtown business district with making improvements to the overall curb-appeal of their storefronts.

Charles Bowman, a veteran local business owner, renovated the building at 117 Horner Street into an antique car showroom called Southern Classic Cars. Bowman was awarded $1710 for half the total cost of installing new awnings along the front fascade.

“We’ve invested a great deal into making the building something everyone can be proud of,” admits Bowman who has been a classic car collector for decades. “I’m proud of the city leaders and the DDC for making these incentives available to folks who are willing to invest in downtown.”

The DDC’s website (DowntownDevelopment.org) lists the guidelines and eligibility requirements for all of the incentives they offer. The fascade incentive grant can cover 50% of improvement costs up to $2500. The sign incentive grant can cover 25% of costs associated with new storefront signage.

Chef Cherie Pittman of Next Door Bistro and Chef Llew Sutton of Uncle Llew’s Restaurant & Pub received the full 25% allowable reimbursement for their new storefront signage.

Pictured are Kaine Riggan, Downtown Development Director, Cherie Pittman (Next Door Bistro), Llew Sutton (Uncle Llew’s), Charles Bowman (Southern Classic Cars) and Phil Hart, HVDDC Chair. Photo credit Mike Noel.

“Grants are reviewed monthly by committee and applications are accepted until the annual grant budget allocation is exhausted”, shared Downtown Development Director, Kaine Riggan.

Riggan also worked with downtown’s Kerr Lake Signs & Banners to design and install billboard-type signage across the fascade of the former Abigail’s Books at 405 S. Garnett Street. The property had become an eyesore since the previous owner abandoned the property allowing it to revert by due process into city and county ownership.

“Reaction has been very positive to the recent improvements,” said HVDDC Chair Phil Hart. “An attractive and thriving downtown is the life-blood of any successful city and what we are seeing is both recognition of that from city officials and support of that from a community willing to shop local first.”

In addition to awarding grants, the DDC also offers low-interest loans to bolster investment in its business district. Now in its second round of loan projects, the DDC can offer funds originally awarded through the USDA’s Revolving Loan program at a 3-6% interest rate. More information about any of these programs may be obtained at www.DowntownDevelopment.org or by calling (252) 820-9785.

Two New Restaurants Open Downtown Saturday

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— courtesy Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission

Downtown Carves Path As A Culinary Destination

Two new local eateries will open in downtown Henderson Saturday, bolstered by fascade and start-up incentives from the Downtown Development Commission. Factoring in long-time landmark George’s, the three downtown restaurants will boast an impressive resume chocked with big-name culinary influence.

Cherie Pittman, owner and Executive Chef at Next Door Bistro, has spent the last decade with Greensboro cafeteria chain Food Express. She joined them right out of culinary school as a manager and worked her way through the corporate ranks to become district manager, then head corporate chef – opening new locations and developing menus.

“I’ll incorporate the lessons I learned in those ten years with my passion for healthier comfort foods,” shared Chef Pittman. She and her husband Daniel have recently lost a collective 100 pounds on the Keto diet, a low-carb health regimen using the method of Ketosis.

Photo by Kaine Riggan, pictured (l to r) are Chef Ali Onsoy of George’s, Chef Llew Sutton of Uncle Llew’s and Chef Cherie Pittman of Next Door Bistro.

Just around the corner on Montgomery Street, Llew Sutton brings expertise from several of the Triangle’s top franchises to his Italian eatery called Uncle Llew’s Restaurant. In addition to Mellow Mushroom and Raleigh Beer Garden, Llew spent six years opening new locations for Ruckus in Cary, Apex and Morrisville. He also worked with renowned regional entrepreneur Bobby Goodnight as Executive Chef for Sass.

“We will offer flatbread pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches, in the beginning, but hope to extend our pizza offerings with the addition of a wood-fired pizza oven,” admits Sutton, whose wife Nikki will manage the front of house operations.

“The DDC uses USDA funds to extend very low-interest loans to promising entrepreneurs investing in the downtown business district,” shares Kaine Riggan, downtown’s Development Director. “We believe our community will support the strong insurgence of culinary talent we’re seeing and the DDC is committed to nurturing that growth.”

Riggan plans to help Sutton with the purchase of the pizza oven and is leading a collaborative marketing effort for the three restaurants as well, starting with a photo shoot for the three chefs at downtown’s Daniel Hendley Studios in early November.

The third Chef became Executive Chef and partner at George’s of Henderson last Fall. Ali Onsoy worked as a chef at George’s Oxford location since 2007 prior to the Henderson move. Interestingly, he also served as a chef in the Turkish military before coming to the United States. Onsoy’s Turkish influences can be spotted in George’s menu specials and in the restaurant’s décor.

The three restaurants will be open Saturday in conjunction with the 16th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine, downtown’s largest event, hosted by Nancy Wilson and Vance County’s Tourism and Development Authority.

Getting There:
Uncle Llew’s Restaurant – 130 W. Montgomery Street
Next Door Bistro – 219 S. Garnett Street
George’s Restaurant – 210 N. Garnett St.

HVDDC 2nd Annual Moonlight Gala Tickets Now on Sale

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The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission will once again host Moonlight Gala on Saturday, September 9.  Tickets for last year’s ticket holders go on sale TODAY.  You may purchase the same quantity as last year.  If you would like additional tickets, those will be available on July 14 with the general public. The cost this year is $65 and the menu is attached.  I will be happy to deliver your tickets or they may be purchased at Dataforge, 217 S. Garnett Street.

 

Thank you for your support of the HVDDC’s revitalization efforts.  I look forward to seeing each of you at this year’s gala.

 

Carolyn Powell

Executive Director

Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission