Port Gibson Main Street  


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Port Gibson Main Street Mission Statement

To facilitate economic revitalization of Port Gibson's downtown district within the context of historic preservation, focusing on the unique heritage of Mississippi's third oldest town while maintaining the architectural integrity of historical structures through planned, progressive development and strong community commitment.


Port Gibson Main Street is affiliated with the Mississippi Main Street Program and The National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington DC Port Gibson gets a nice mention on the Main Street Web site.


Port Gibson Main Street sponsors the annual Main Street Heritage Festival. This years Festival will be held Saturday March 25th. Further details may be found on the Port Gibson Events page.


 
 
For more information, contact:
Mr. Al Hollingsworth
Port Gibson Main Street
PO Box 607
Port Gibson, MS 39150
(601) 437-4500

PORT GIBSON MAIN STREET

AWARD PROGRAM

1998 AWARD OF MERIT

1998 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

 SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
1997
Organization:
  •  7th Annual Meeting, Award Ceremony and Reception was held on January 21st at City Hall; 67 volunteers attended
  • Two Special Awards of Merit were presented for lifelong contributions to the retail community
  • During the year Port Gibson Main Street was featured in 9 statewide news articles and 18 local articles
  • Included as a case study in Saving America's Countryside -; A Guide To Rural Conservation (second edition) Published in 1997
  • Participated in The Countryside Institute's 10th Anniversary Celebration
  • One of three communities highlighted in Shaping The Future- Lessons Learned
  • Presented the Port Gibson Story at Cold Spring, N.Y., October 23 - 25, 1997
  • Received one of three Countryside Community Achievement Awards for 1997
  • Russ Miller and Amelda Arnold participated in Countryside workshops on November 6-8, 1997 (Air travel paid by Mississippi Southern Bank and Port Gibson hank)
  • The Port Gibson Main Street Story
  • A presentation was made to approximately 300 participants in the South Carolina Governor's Rural Summit held in March
  • A follow-up presentation was made to approximately 70 volunteers and community leaders in Allendale, S.C. in June
  • Promotion:

  • Sponsored the 5th Port Gibson Main Street Heritage Festival on March 22, 1997. Events included:
  • Sponsored the 4th Annual Children's Halloween Celebration on October 25, 1997 - over 100 children participated.
  • Sponsored the 7th Annual Festival of Carols and Lights on December 4, 1997
  • Sponsored the 8th Annual Main Street Christmas Parade on December 6, 1997
  • In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, co-sponsored the 1997 Shop At Home activities in December
  • Economic Restructuring:
  • Six new businesses located in the Main Street District
  • Design:

  • Completed plans for the tree planting project in the 600 block of Market Street. Trees will be planted in February.
  • Expanded the downtown planter program to 62 pots.
  • Port Gibson Main Street Statistical Summary

    Life of Program (10/90  10/97) 

    1997 

    New Businesses

    36 

    Lost Businesses *

    24 

    Business Expansions **

    Facade Renovations

    Major 

    Minor 

    33 

    New Buildings

    Public Investment

    $ 3,082,776 

    $ 55,051 

    Private Investment

    $ 567,700 

    $ 79,100 

    New Jobs

    109.5 

    11 

    Lost Jobs

    42 

    Facade Grants Paid

    10 

    Low Interest Loans Processed

     
     * 5 of these businesses relocated to areas Outside the Main Street District but within Port Gibson
     ** Not recorded as expansions prior to 1997

    Blue line

    The Renewal of Main Street

    Photographs by Al Hollingsworth


    Planters Hotel - BeforePlanter's Hotel - After
    The former Planter's Hotel, now the office of Dr. David Headley 
    Vacant lotNew Administration Building
    From a vacant lot to the new Matt Ross County Administration Building 
    Our Mart - BeforeOur Mart - After
    Our Mart Grocery, a Civil Rights Landmark
    The Library - BeforeThe New Library - After
    The Harriette Person Memorial Library 
     The Dagel Building - BeforeThe Dagel Building - After
    The Dagel Building 
    M P & L - BeforeM P & L - After
    The Mississippi Power and Light Building 
    The Water Dept. - BeforeThe Water Dept - After
    The Port Gibson Water Department 
    Working on the Planter ProgramOne of the new planters
    The Main Street Planter Program

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