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

###

Passage Through the Gap Partnership Launched at Appalachian Gateway Communities Workshop

Molly Theobald with the Appalachian Regional Commission speaking at the Heartwood Center in Abingdon.

Passage Through the Gap Partnership Launched at Appalachian Gateway Communities Workshop

Representatives develop action plan to improve economic competitiveness by capitalizing on the area’s natural and cultural assets

MIDDLESBOROUGH, Kentucky. (Jan. 18, 2014) – A team from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia participated in a three-day workshop designed especially for towns and communities bordering national or state parks, forests, and other treasured public lands. Working with national and regional experts on sustainable tourism, economic development, the arts, natural and cultural resources, transportation, and branding, the 7-person team crafted a new vision that focuses on the unique Appalachian assets that make the area surrounding the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park an appealing place to live, work and recreate.

The partnership of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Conservation Fund, and The National Trust for Historic Preservation convened the program. With partnership and relationship-building as essential elements to the Appalachian Gateway Communities Regional Workshop, each of the eight participating communities – ranging from Alabama to Virginia – formed a diverse team that included a public land manager, elected officials, business and tourism representatives, civic leaders, and community arts representatives.

This first-of-its-kind convening brought together leaders from multiple communities in our area. The City of Middlesborough sent Mayor Bill Kelley and Discover Downtown Middlesboro Executive Director Isaac Kremer. The Town of Cumberland Gap was represented by Toni Winston. Arts in our area had a presence thanks to Denise Wanscott with Union College and Barbourville Tourism, and Scott Freeman with the newly formed Magic City Collective in Middlesborough. Our public land manager representative was Pam Eddy from the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Finally, Debby Spencer who has extensive experience promoting ecotourism and cultural tourism in our area participated.

Early in the workshop the team recognized that despite having great assets that too many people who live here don’t realize what we have and the story of our assets is not told to visitors well enough. The Passing Through the Gap Ambassador Program was formed in respond to this marketing and communication challenge that we face. In the coming months we will study models from other areas and launch a program here, likely in June, to help train residents and front-line employees in how to interact with visitors. Participants will be given an immersive introduction to all that our area to prepare them to serve as Ambassadors.

Isaac D. Kremer, Executive Director of Discover Downtown Middlesboro said, “We went to Abingdon as a loose confederation of like-minded people and left as partners. The story of who we are as Americans started with the people who first passed through the Cumberland Gap. Sharing that story with visitors in new ways has the potential to transform the economy of our area.”

“The Passage Through the Gap Partnership was an ideal candidate for the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative because of the terrific natural and cultural resources and the emphasis of the arts in its community’s plans,” said Vice President of Sustainable Programs and Director of The Conservation Fund’s Conservation Leadership Network, Kris Hoellen.  “It’s our goal to help communities foster valuable partnerships, reinforce development plans that balance environmental and economic goals and provide technical assistance to enable places like Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Eastern Tennessee to become even more vibrant and thriving communities.”

Participation in the workshop also makes the Passage Through the Gap Partnership eligible to apply for seed grant funding from the Initiative to implement the action plan. 

The Appalachian Gateway Communities Regional Workshop is part of an initiative developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Since 2007, the Gateway Initiative has helped gateway communities across Appalachia expand tourism and other economic development opportunities through community assessments, tourism planning workshops and grants for project implementation.  The Conservation Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have partnered to strengthen the leadership capacity of towns, cities and communities that neighbor publicly protected natural and recreational lands in distressed, transitional or at-risk counties.

The workshop was held at the Heartwood Center in Abingdon, Virginia.  Later this winter, another Appalachian Gateway Communities workshop will take place at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government.  Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC provides funding for several hundred projects each year in the Appalachian region, in areas such as business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation. www.arc.gov

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the largest annual funder of the arts in the United States.  An independent federal agency and the official arts organization of the United States government, the NEA has as its mission to support excellence in the arts; bring the arts to all Americans, and provide leadership in arts education.  The NEA awards more than $100 million annually, investing in every state.  www.arts.gov

About The Conservation Fund

At The Conservation Fund, we combine a passion for conservation with an entrepreneurial spirit to protect your favorite places before they become just a memory. A hallmark of our work is our deep, unwavering understanding that for conservation solutions to last, they need to make economic sense. Top-ranked, we have protected more than 7 million acres across America. www.conservationfund.org  

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places. For more information, visit www.PreservationNation.org.

# # #

Public Hearing on Elks Home, January 21, 7pm

Elks Home as it appears today. Courtesy Discover Downtown Middlesboro

A Public Hearing on up to $600,000 in grants to clean up the Elks Home in Middlesboro will be held at City Hall on January 21, 2014, starting at 7p.m.


Discover Downtown Middlesboro acquired this property in December 2012. We're working with the EPA to find ways to make the building safe. This includes removing he asbestos, lead, and mold that has been documented on the site.


Another benefit of this project is to create dozens of jobs, helping to train people in environmental clean-up. These good paying and safe jobs help to provide opportunities for local people needing this the most. If you can, please come out and support our application tonight.


Even if you are unavailable to attend, it is possible to send your responses in writing to the
Regional Office of the EPA.

Elks Home as it appeared in the 1980s. Courtesy Kentucky Heritage Council.

Discover Downtown Middlesboro Releases Data on Investment and Job Creation in 2013

Discover Downtown Middlesboro recently reported statistics about the economic performance and business environment of the downtown area to the Kentucky Main Street Program. This is an annual requirement to help maintain the community's status as a "Designated Main Street Program."

Total reinvestment in the downtown in 2013 as reported by business owners was $2,765,650.00. There were six facade projects totaling $6,500, one new building at a total cost of $1,300,000, and the remaining balance went towards building renovation. The total number of jobs in the district was 877 with 100 new jobs created in 2013. Finally, there were 13 new businesses that opened.

Discover Downtown Middlesboro Executive Director Isaac Kremer will be attending the Kentucky Main Street conference in Frankfort, Thursday, January 16 and Friday, January 17. While there he will interact with colleagues from throughout the Commonwealth, hear about best practices in downtown revitalization, and bring many of those lessons back to Middlesborough. For more information, please visit: http://heritage.ky.gov/mainstreet/.

Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, to visit Kentucky

The year 2014 marks the beginning of a new approach to thinking about historic preservation, and your opportunity to learn from exciting speakers and dynamic programming. For the first time, the Kentucky Heritage Council and Preservation Kentucky are partnering to present the Kentucky Preservation Series - a new initiative of quarterly workshops designed for broad appeal, and to give you the information you need to help care for your historic home or building and work more effectively in your own community. To kick this off, we proudly announce:

Creating Life on City Streets: Walkability 
Including a lecture and workshop with Jeff Speck, author of the new book "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time"

These keynote sessions coincide with the annual winter meeting of the Kentucky Main Street Program, in Frankfort from Jan. 15-17. New this year, the public is invited to join local Main Street managers, board members, elected officials and others to learn about current issues in community revitalization. Topics will be of broad interest to communities interested in strategies to preserve and utilize their historic downtown buildings, capitalize on authentic assets, promote heritage tourism and create positive energy that attracts residents and visitors.

Jeff Speck appearance schedule (sponsored through the support of KHC board member Nana Lampton): 

Lecture and book signing - 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Grand Theatre, St. Clair Mall, Frankfort
$10 general admission

Workshop - 9 to 11 a.m. 
Friday, Jan. 17 
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort
 $25 general admission

 Click here for the complete conference schedule. Full conference registration is $100 per person and includes educational sessions, Jeff Speck lecture and workshop, a reception hosted by Preservation Kentucky, and the premiere of the film "Kentucky Governor's Mansion: A Century of Reflection," at the Grand Theatre. Single-day registration is $35.

Download the registration form and return with payment to the Kentucky Heritage Council, and watch for more details at www.heritage.ky.gov

 Given today's reality of tight budgets and limited travel time, this series will take place in lieu of the long-running biennial statewide historic preservation conference, which many of you have attended over the years. The goal of this new series is to present relevant preservation-related topics and hands-on training in strategic locations across the Commonwealth, working in concert with partner organizations at the local level, in venues accessible to a wide range of constituents.

 Administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Main Street Program is presenting the conference in partnership with the nonprofit organization Friends of Kentucky Main Street.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet The Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of prehistoric resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, heritage tourism, jobs creation, affordable housing, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life.