2020-2021 lms annual report
TRANSCRIPT
Annual Report2020-2021
Lawrenceburg Main Street (LMS), Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on the growth, appeal, and economic vitality of
Downtown Lawrenceburg. As an organization, LMS has been working to help revitalize and continuously improve the
Downtown Lawrenceburg Levee District since our establishment in the late 1990’s. Lawrenceburg Main Street, Inc. is an
accredited State & National Main Street Program. Our goals and initiatives are structured around the Main Street Four-
Point Approach®, a unique preservation based economic development tool that enables communities like Lawrenceburg to
revitalize downtowns and business districts by leveraging local assets. The four points represent four specific and adaptable
areas of concentration, including: Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Organization.
Mission Statement:
To continuously improve Downtown Lawrenceburg by attracting new and retaining existing business, promoting community
attractions and opportunities, and developing economic tools to help make Lawrenceburg a better place to live, work, play,
and invest.
Lawrenceburg Main Street Inc., along with the City of Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg Partnership Committee, and the
Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission, working with other community entities, are dedicated to the continued growth
and development of both commercial and residential opportunities that will make the city “outstanding” well into the future.
About Us
COVID-19 ResponseGuided by National Main Street, industry leaders and a steadfast commitment to our community, Lawrenceburg Main Street
has worked tirelessly to gather resources, share information, and provide hope for our community. Moving forward,
economic recovery and growth will necessitate creativity, experimentation, and collective thinking to address both
immediate and unforeseen needs in the future.
SMALL BUSINESS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY GRANT - In partnership with the City of Lawrenceburg, 78 Grants were
awarded to small business owners rapidly providing $273,000 of much needed funding.
COMMUNITY HUG CAMPAIGN - Lawrenceburg residents showed their community pride by displaying hand drawn “Hug”
posters in the windows of their homes and businesses.
MARKETING WEBINAR - In partnership with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Main Street hosted a webinar
guiding small business owners on ways to adapt their marketing plans to the rapidly changing COVID-19 economic
landscape.
REOPENING STRATEGIES - #LawrenceburgForward - A reopening media campaign kicking off with a Facebook live stream
event anchored by a concert featuring local favorite, Dreamboat Annie. The second phase of the promotion includes
sponsored radio ads for all downtown businesses and an aggressive marketing campaign to attract shoppers into our
downtown prior to the weekly Music on the River Concerts.
$365,000$304,000
$273,000$131,388
$137,170$7,528
PUBLIC FUNDS MANAGED
LRC GRANT FUNDS MANAGED
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDS MANAGED
PROGRAM AND EVENT EXPENSES
MAIN STREET BY THE NUMBERS
SALARY AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
WINTER WONDERLAND GRANT FUNDS EARNED
$15,500SPONSORSHIP FUNDS EARNED
Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to create an inviting, inclusive downtown while celebrating our unique
historic character and fostering people-centered public spaces.
GROOM & BLOOM - In partnership with the City of Lawrenceburg Main Street implemented our 4th
annual Groom and Bloom beautification initiative along Walnut and High Streets. With the help of 15
volunteers and the support of McCabe’s Floral and Greenhouse and Pat Krider, we filled our downtown
flower beds with gorgeous blooms.
ENHANCEMENT GRANTS - 2020 was the third year that LMS administered commercial & residential
improvement grants & and a new home purchase grant sponsored by the Lawrenceburg Redevelopment
Commission.
8 new Businesses Openings
25 new jobs created
$195,700 of Private Investment
Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to build a diverse economic base by catalyzing smart, new investment
into the Downtown district and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lawrenceburg Main Street works with
the City of Lawrenceburg, the Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission, the Dearborn County Chamber of
Commerce, Lawrenceburg Partnership Committee, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, and
local merchants to promote and initiate effective ways to boost the overall profitability of the Main Street
district. Through events, regular marketing and promotions, grant administration and special programs and
opportunities for downtown merchants, Main Street is constantly exploring new and improved strategies to
support this community’s economic health and stability.
MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - An initiative to assist businesses with
sustaining and growing their customer base. Main Street offers a
Marketing Assistance program to merchants who have a developed
marketing plan that they are ready to execute.
Design
Design By the Numbers$90,775 improved 26 Residential & Commercial Properties
$39,500 built two new homes in downtown Lawrenceburg.
$85,400 in private investment improved the downtown district.
Economic Vitality
Economic VitalityBy the Numbers
LRC INVESTMENT PROGRAM - In addition to design-oriented grants, Lawrenceburg Main
Street also administers New & Existing Business Action Grants and Sign & Awning Grants
as a part of the LRC Investment Program.
Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to position the downtown district as the center of the community and a
hub of economic activity. We work to improve consumer and investor confidence in the district, and
encourage commercial activity and investment. Additionally, LMS coordinates and executes a wide-selection
of community events throughout the year, along with many programs that support small businesses and
local merchants within the downtown district.
ANNUAL WINE WALKS - Merchant-driven wine walks featuring local wineries, chocolate treats & free horse-
drawn carriage rides. Each wine walk attracts between 250-350 visitors to our downtown. This past year,
we were only able to host 1 wine walk due to COVID-19 restrictions.
MUSIC ON THE RIVER - A 8 week, summer music series taking place every Thursday from July-August, the
2020 series attracted safely distanced crowds and took place in the Civic Park. This widely anticipated
event attracts regionally and nationally touring bands representing a wide variety of genres and a classic car
show. This year, the concerts were live streamed weekly on our Facebook page to offer a safe viewing
option.
MOVIES & EXERCISE IN THE PARK - Throughout June, July, August, and September Mainstreet activates
our new Civic Park with a summer movie series and weekly exercise classes.
ART MONTH - During the month of August, the first annual Art Month was established. Featuring art
displayed in merchant storefronts, an alleyway activation display by the Paper Acorn, and a student-made
sidewalk mural.
VIRTUAL MERCHANT EVENT - Due to COVID-19 restrictions set in place, we hosted a virtual video event
that featured our downtown merchants and their stores. The video also included advertisement for local
restaurants and service businesses.
FARMERS MARKET - Taking place every Saturday in Newtown Park from 9AM to 1PM June-October. The
2020 market included nearly 15 vendors per week with attendance ranging from 50-300 people per week,
including vendors with fresh produce, plants, honey, jams, handmade crafts, soaps and lotions. This year,
Main Street received a grant from the Dearborn County Community Foundation for a free-standing hand
washing station to allow for enhanced programming for the 2019 season, as well as funding for reusable
market bags.
WHISKEY CITY TWILIGHT CHALLENGE (Partner event with the City of Lawrenceburg) - A professional and
amateur bike race along the streets of Downtown Lawrenceburg. Main Street assists the City of
Lawrenceburg in coordinating sponsorships, marketing, special events, activities and vendors for race day,
along with day-of operations.
Promotions
WHISKEY CITY SUMMER FEST (Partner event with the City of Lawrenceburg) - Summerfest is an annual
concert event in downtown Lawrenceburg. The 2nd Annual Summerfest featured country singer David Lee
Murphy along with other local bands. The night was filled with great food, live music and dancing.
HALLOWEEN SIDEWALK SALE AND COSTUME CONTEST - The first annual Halloween costume contest
occurred on Oct 31 this year. The event included a sidewalk sale downtown, with merchants giving candy to
trick or treaters, and a community costume contest at the Civic Park.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY & MERCHANT COOKIE SCAVENGER HUNT - Lawrenceburg Main Street
proudly supports the Shop Small movement on Small Business Saturday each year. In 2020, Main Street
hosted a giveaway event that promoted merchant specials of the day. The Snowman Scavenger Hunt
coincides with Small Business Saturday to increase foot traffic on this special shopping day. In 2020, 17
businesses and nearly 150 people participated in the scavenger hunt and Small Business Saturday event.
HELLO HOLIDAYS - 2020 was our second year of having this merchant promotion designed to promote
shopping local throughout the holiday season, featuring merchant open houses and a holiday pop-up market
at 110 Walnut St. Visitors to the fair were treated to carriage rides, holiday specials, gourmet cotton candy,
and live music.
LAWRENCEBURG ICE RINK - From November through early January, Main Street manages our community
ice rink which attracted nearly 12,850 visitors to our city during the 2020/2021 season.
WINTER WONDERLAND - A hallmark event, Winter Wonderland festivities take place over the course of two
weekends. Celebrations kick-off with the Mayor’s Reception & Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Promotions(continued)
Promotions VitalityBy the Numbers
85 Volunteers Worked 450 Hours
80 Programs and Events with 34,000 Attendees
Marketing InitiativesSHOP DINE PLAY BROCHURES - includes a map and descriptions of restaurants and shops within the
downtown district along with upcoming events coordinated by Lawrenceburg Main Street
DOWNTOWN DOLLARS - monetary gift certificates distributed to select groups to spend at participating shops
and restaurants within the downtown district
FARMER’S MARKET CARDS & MARKET BUCKS - In 2017, Main Street introduced the use of Farmer’s Market
Cards to encourage market shoppers to return each week. After proof of 5 purchases shown on the Farmer’s
Market Cards, loyal shoppers are awarded $5 in Market Bucks. This effort continued in 2020.
MERCHANT BILLBOARD PROGRAM - LMS reserves 1 billboard on US 50 eastbound to promote Main Street
year around events, and 2 billboards on US 50 east & west bound for our subsidized merchant billboard
program. 8 merchants utilized the billboard program in 2020
SHOP AND DINE BROCHURES- Multi-fold brochure with the intention to welcome people to downtown in a
friendly, professional manner. The brochure includes information about where to Shop, Dine, or Refresh in
Lawrenceburg with a map.
E-BLASTS - Main Street utilizes Mail Chimp for monthly newsletter e-blasts, along with special event e-blasts.
SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION CARDS - A downtown retail support campaign encouraging shoppers to spend
$20 at 3 different retail locations. Once the card was filled out and completed, participants could turn them in
at our office in exchange for $10 in Downtown Dollars.
1,543 E-Blast Subscribers
330,000 Weekly Billboard Impressions
890,000 Annual Radio Impressions
258,000 Annual Print Impressions
452,800 Annual Social Media Impressions
786 Instagram Followers up from 271 in 2019
6,628 Facebook Followers - up from 1,533 from 2019
Marketing By the Numbers
The COVID-19 pandemic will forever define 2020. The ensuing public health crisis, with its far-reaching effects
on individuals, families, small businesses and the economy, has left a permanent mark on all of us. We are
struck by the ways in which the events of 2020 reshaped the work of not just Main Street, but all of
Lawrenceburg’s dedicated community organizations. It was an incredibly difficult year, and yet as a team we
proved ourselves to be more resilient and relevant than ever.
When the pandemic hit the U.S. in full force last March, Main Street alongside a host of community
organizations sprang into action and addressed the dire situation head-on, rallying to support our local
businesses. Despite the struggles, losses, and economic uncertainty we faced, we did not give up in our efforts
to support our community.
We are immensely proud of the individuals, organizations, companies, and small businesses that make up the
Lawrenceburg community. Looking ahead to 2021, we remain optimistic that we have what it takes to join
together to meet the challenges during what we hope will be a year of rebuilding and renewal.
Committees and PartnershipsDESIGN - Mary Helen Crook, Michael Redell, Marty Reynolds, Michelle Cone, Bryan Messmore
ECONOMIC VITALITY - Steve Renihan, Mark Graver, E.G. McLaughlin, Patrice Ligdon, Eric Kranz, Cindy Taylor,
Bryan Messmore
ART COMMITTEE - Adam Gilliam, Marilyn Bower, Maryjo Finnegan, Leann Ambs, Joan Abdon, Chris Campbell,
Megan Schafer, Marianne Withers, Guinevere Emery
ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE - Executive Members: Lori Enright, Matthew McDaniel & Mary Helen Crook
WINTER WONDERLAND COMMITTEE - Barbara Bonney, Ann Stenger, Debbie Smith, Connie Cleary, Sandy
Carley, Cari Kettman, Lisa Weinmann, Shelia Bigelow, Mary Beth Hedrick (Breakfast with Santa)
MUSIC ON THE RIVER - Bill Hinds, Dick Martin, Jim Helms, Chuck Folop, Mike Rauen, Jr., Joe Awad
Organization
Board of DirectorsLori Enright, President, Eagle Country 99.3
Matthew McDaniel, Vice President, Attorney at Law
Jim Kittle, Treasurer, Civista Bank
Linda Goepper, Liberty Tax
Mary Helen Crook, The FRAMERY
Mike Rauen, Jr., The Riverwatch Floating Restaurant
Ex OfficioKelly Mollaun, Mayor, City of Lawrenceburg
Brett Bondurant, Council At Large
StaffExecutive Director, Michelle Cone
Communications Coordinator, Brittany Bleich
Community Program Coordinator, Stevie Gayle Stephens