Makers Market Announces $100 to $500 for Local Artists, Craftspeople, Musicians, and Food Producers

The Makers Market will be held every Friday and Saturday from the start of April through the end of June. The Market will provide an opportunity for local artists, craftspeople, musicians, and food producers to demonstrate their skills and showcase their products. Speakers who are experts in small town arts economies will also be invited to present at Makers Market events to share expertise around developing downtown in areas of arts and culture. The project addresses the long-term goal of developing the local economy through the creation of small cultural businesses that can revitalize the downtown area. In total, 26 performances, lectures, and demonstrations are expected to take place during the project period.

This call for nominations is for individuals, organizations, and businesses that wish to participate in the series. Members of the public are also invited to submit nominations on behalf of people or groups they think might be good to participate. A quick and easy online survey form is available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7GP8B6C.

The deadline for submitting nominations is March 15. At that time a committee will review all of the nominations submitted and select participants for the series. Participants that are selected will be given an honorarium between $100 and $500 based on the nature of their work and the contribution they make to the overall series. Details about people and groups selected will be released in mid-March.

This project is being funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission Flex-E-Grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by Brushy Fork Institute of Berea College. Flex-E-Grant funds are made available to distressed ARC counties in Kentucky for projects that are designed to build capacity in these communities.

University of Kentucky Presents Middlesborough Trail System Designs Saturday, March 1

University of Kentucky students and community members at the 13th Street bridge. Credit: DDM.

Middlesborough, Kentucky – A major milestone in the development of a trail system for Middlesborough will occur this Saturday, March 1, 2014. Over a dozen students from the University of Kentucky Department of Landscape Architecture will present their preliminary designs for a city trail system. The public presentation will begin at 11am in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Visitor Center Auditorium. After a short break there will then be a Feedback Session starting at 1pm at the same location in which the public is invited to share their comments.

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension has been a strong supporter of community and economic development efforts in Bell County and Middlesborough over the last several years. Past activities that have included asset mapping as part of a strategic planning process for the county. In the Fall of 2013 students and faculty participated in the award-winning Better Block Middlesborough event.

Also participating in the planning and presentations is Mr. Russell Clark from the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program with the National Park Service. This program supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation.

Keith Nagle, DDM President, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the University of Kentucky and the National Park Service on this exciting project. The support we’ve gotten for this vision to connect the downtown with the National Park is as exciting as it is inspiring.”

A Middlesborough Trail Town Task Force under the direction of Chairman Bill Powell is also being formed at this time. This volunteer driven effort will be responsible for seeking Kentucky Trail Town designation for Middlesborough and for developing and maintaining trail systems.

Lastly, over the past week DDM applied for $60,000 in grant funding to support work to develop a trail system. If secured, this funding will expand the city trail system and speed up implementation.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

###

Students viewing the Canal Walk between 17th and 19th Street.

Back at the Exploration Center reviewing results during their last visit.

Discover Downtown Middlesboro Supports Area Artists and Schools

Presenting check to Middlesboro Independent School District. Pictured from left to right are DDM Board Member Donna Smith, MHS Principal Bobby Bennett, DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer, and Superintendent Steve Martin. Credit: DDM.

Middlesborough, Kentucky – Discover Downtown Middlesboro presented the Middlesboro Independent School District with $1,000 to recognize the participation of the High School Choir and Band in the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting last year.

Assisting in the fundraising efforts was the Fund for the Arts based in Louisville and their power2give.org website. Every dollar that local people gave was matched by an additional dollar from LG&E and KU Energy.

Additional money that was raised went towards other artistic activities downtown. A partnership with the Art Department at Lincoln Memorial University resulted in the painting of storefronts downtown. Local artists assisted with the production of DIY Pallet Christmas Trees.

Keith Nagle, DDM President said, “Arts are an important part of our vitality downtown. We are so happy to be able to work with area schools and artists to make an active and vibrant downtown.”

Two LMU students painting the windows at Nagle Law Office. Credit: DDM.

Pallet trees added some low-cost fun and excitement downtown. Credit: DDM.

Sponsors for the Christmas celebration included Commercial Bank, Community Trust Bank, First State Financial, Home Federal Bank, and Danny J. Luttrell Insurance. Generous contributions were also made by Ike Slusher, Dr. Kenneth Smith, Larry Brooks, and Steve Obermann. Local businesses that made in-kind donations include Jim Brown Supply, JR Hoe & Sons, East End Pawn, Mikel’s Pharmacy, Three States Printing, and Wal-mart.

Final results from the Christmas Parade voting follow: Best ROTC - Bell County JROTC, Best Band - Middlesboro High School Marching Band,  Best School Float - Middlesboro Middle School, Best Business - Home Federal Bank, Best Church Float - Southside Baptist Church, Best Performance - Jade Robertson, and Best of Show - T&T Stables.

Contact: 

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

###