National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Discover Downtown Middlesboro A Preservation Grant

For Immediate Release
Isaac D. Kremer Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. Phone (606.248.6155),downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com	National Trust for Historic Preservation 202.588.6141, pr@savingplaces.org

National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Discover Downtown Middlesboro A Preservation Grant from National Trust Preservation Funds

Grant Will Go Toward the People’s Plan for Economic Development, Job Creation and Revitalization

Middlesboro, Kentucky (June 4, 2013)—Today, Discover Downtown Middlesboro was awarded a $5,000 grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from the Linda and Jerry Bruckheimer Preservation Fund for Kentucky of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The seed grant funds will be used to develop a strategic plan for the National Register-listed historic downtown area.

Discover Downtown Middlesboro has already hosted a Community Forum and Stakeholder’s Workshop with the help of this grant. The results are now being analyzed and further public input is being sought. Faculty and students with the Lincoln Memorial University School of Business will assist with preparing a professional report that will be completed by mid-September 2013. This will then guide downtown revitalization efforts over the next three to five years.

"Without organizations like Discover Downtown Middlesboro, communities and towns all across America would  have a diminished sense of place," said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  "The National Trust for Historic Preservation is honored to provide a grant to DDM, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared heritage."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation dispenses small grants for local projects through the National Trust Preservation Funds grant program.  The grants range from $500 to $5,000 and have provided over $5.5 million dollars of funding since 2002.  They are awarded to nonprofit groups, educational institutions and public agencies, and must be matched, at least dollar for dollar, with public or private funds.  Preservation Funds grants are being used nationally for such wide-ranging activities as consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources and educating children about their heritage.  These grants are often the deciding factor on whether historic buildings or sites can be saved for future generations.

For more information on National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Fund grants, visit: www.PreservationNation.org/resources/find-funding/grants/.

About Discover Downtown Middlesboro

Discover Downtown Middlesboro is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that  was founded in 2006. Since that time the organization has worked to spearhead revitalization of the downtown area. This is accomplished through coordinating grassroots action by volunteers on four committees – Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring. Some recent DDM projects include organizing the Christmas Parade and decoration of the downtown, addition of four fountains and seating at Cumberland Avenue and 20th Street, and encouraging the restoration of several buildings downtown.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is committed to protecting America’s rich cultural legacy and helping build vibrant, sustainable communities that reflect our nation’s diversity.

DDM Announces Acquisition of Elks Home and Other Major Projects at Annual Meeting

Middlesboro, Kentucky, February 21, 2013 – Over sixty people filled a packed room in the Alexander Arthur Museum for the Annual Meeting of Discover Downtown Middlesboro last Thursday night.

President Keith Nagle kicked off the festivities by welcoming the standing room only crowd, and acknowledged special guests including Mayor Bill Kelley as well as several members of City Council in attendance. Officials from the Bell County Chamber of Commerce were also present and recognized.

Mayor Bill Kelley accepting an award for the Middlesboro Street Department
from DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer at the Annual Meeting. Photo credit: Frank Smith.

Three Directors were elected to new three-year terms by the membership. These included Jay Shoffner, Donna Smith, and Penny Smith.

Secretary Carolyn O'Boyle and Treasurer Philip Ball also acknowledged and welcomed guests. It was reported that member contributions to DDM in the previous month have exceeded all of member giving from the previous six years combined. This fact was celebrated by applause from all of those in the audience.

DDM follows the Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization as established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This approach calls for grassroots citizen-led action in the areas of Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring.

Organization chair Donna Smith set the tone for the evening asking everyone in the room to think of “one thing they can do to help the downtown.” She then stated her goal to double the number of DDM members in the year to follow.

Other committee chairs made their presentations too including Promotion Chair, Penny Smith; Economic Restructuring Chair, Larry Grandey; and Design Chair, Jay Shoffner.

Architect James K. Piper, Jr. and Mr. Jon Rollins were both recognized. Their firm GRW, Inc. is one of DDM’s newest members, and the two of them traveled all of the way from Lexington to be present for the meeting.

DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer then addressed the crowd. He too welcomed those in attendance and underscored the importance of the community coming together and how "nights like this matter."

Historical photo of the Elks Home in Middlesboro. Photo credit:  Middlesborough History website.

Kremer began by stating that DDM has acquired the 27,000 square foot Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Home (formerly the old hospital). The building was donated to DDM in December 2012 by lifelong Middlesboro resident Dallas Shackleford. James Madison, Executive Director of the Bell County Historical Society was called forward and presented DDM a check to assist with bringing in a structural engineer to help evaluate the building. This news was greeted with great enthusiasm by the members and guests in attendance.

Kremer reported that DDM expects to be the recipient of a $10,000 grant to assist in the development of a strategic plan for the downtown. A national expert will be brought in to facilitate a weekend workshop in April or May. Dr. Jack McCann, Dean of the Lincoln Memorial University Business School that is a partner in the project spoke briefly about the strong bond between LMU and downtown Middlesboro.

View of the existing Canal Walk with recently installed Tour SEKY sign. Photo Credit: DDM, 2013.

A vision to connect the downtown and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park via an upgraded and expanded Canal Walk was also shared. This walk has the potential to promote tourism, economic development, and to provide a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike. When the audience was asked to raise hands if they supported the concept – the show of support was unanimous.

The meeting was closed by sharing a new Mission Statement for DDM that goes as follows:

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. is a non-profit organization that encourages citizen participation in the revitalization of Cumberland Avenue between 10^th and 24^th Street and several mixed-use walkable blocks to the north and south. We seek to improve the physical appearance of the downtown while maintaining its historic integrity; to retain existing businesses and to attract new ones; and to make downtown Middlesboro the center of the economic, civic, and social life of the Tri-State area.

One final appeal was made for those who are not members already to join. Everyone in attendance was also encouraged to serve on at least one committee. A membership form as well as a volunteer sign-up form are both available on the new Discover Downtown Middlesboro website at:  http://www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. 

President Keith Nagle adjourned the meeting around 7:45pm. Several of those in attendance opted to stay for well over an hour afterwards to enjoy good company, tasty food, and most importantly great conversation about the future of downtown Middlesboro.

Contact:

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director

Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc.

(606) 248-6155

downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com

www.downtownmiddlesboro.org

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