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Humphrey
ELKINS -- Madalyn Humphrey, executive director of Elkins Main Street, spoke to Elkins City Council recently discussing the organization's 2019 successes and 2020 goals.
"We feel that at Elkins Main Street, we're able to create all of our activities from the community; our activities and our projects are coming and developed from the community, and that's not possible without the support of city hall and all of the staff (and) volunteers that are in this community," Humphrey said.
Humphrey noted that the organization has been redesigned in terms of committees.
Main Street's Promotion and Community Engagement Committee is currently working to promote downtown businesses and to create special events for families, youth and businesses to come together as one.
"It's amazing to think how many people make some of that stuff happen. We can't do it alone, and -- from the Arts Center all the way down to Builders Supply -- having events, having promotions, having conversations is so important to sustain that vibrant atmosphere here in Elkins," she said.
"The Economic Vitality Collaborative bridged the gap between the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and Elkins Main Street and has allowed fruitful conversations about next steps with the ambassador program and the center for businesses-for supporting downtown businesses and the business community."
Of the ambassador program, Humphrey stated that Main Street is working with Elkins Depot Welcome Center Director Anne Beardslee to develop a curriculum to promote the Elkins community and to provide those resources for businesses.
"(We're) looking at how the chamber and Elkins Main Street can work together to fulfill our missions and support our whole community," said Humphrey. "This year has been phenomenal from the support of the city of Elkins."
"The community investment grant through the Elkins Chamber allowed several businesses to get (new signs)."
"Looking forward to 2020, we are excited about […] looking at how we continue the fun downtown. It doesn't stop at five o'clock; it starts at five o'clock," said Humphrey.
"A lot of businesses are ready to open their doors with the spring coming. The birds singing today got everyone excited to see what we can do for downtown," she said, noting that the Promotion and Community Engagement Committee is working on special downtown events, including First Fridays and the Scarecrow Festival.
"The unique atmosphere that Elkins has is worth talking about, and we are worth having the whole nation -- but definitely the state and the region -- to come to us."
Humphrey said there's a lot to look forward to in terms of Elkins Main Street's Asset Conservation and Enhancement Committee.
"There's a lot to look forward to with downtown improvements. We're so grateful for the support of the streetscape improvements," she said.
"We've already started with parking meters, which was a great day to have volunteers help downtown to put the stickers there and transition into a new way of getting around downtown parking and addressing concerns with businesses."
"We always value how beautiful downtown looks -- not only in the spring but also in the summertime with the flowers, and that support for the flowers encourages people to stay downtown longer and enjoy the atmosphere," Humphrey said, noting that seeing the change downtown after collaborating with the Elkins Tree Board is "just incredible."
"We're moving faster and faster, and we're so grateful to be part of Elkins and for the city of Elkins to be supportive of downtown and Elkins Main Street. We have so many collaborative partners as well. We can't do this alone -- not only with your support, but also with the support of our surrounding community."
"It's so exciting to see how many people want Elkins to be the vibrant community that we all know and see and love."
After the presentation, Elkins Mayor Van Broughton said, "I just want to thank you all for everything you do. I'm out and about every day, and the compliments we get on downtown from residents, out-of-town and out-of-state people are about how nice our town looks and how they see it growing each time they come."
Fourth Ward Councilwoman Marilynn Cuonzo said, "It's a pleasure to work with Elkins Main Street. Thank you very much ... It's been fun. Keep it up."