The Greater Meredith Program
Accredited National Main Street Program ~ Outstanding Main Street Community 2005
2009 Annual Report
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The Greater Meredith Program (GMP) is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to enhancing economic vitality, historical and cultural preservation and town-wide beautification. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, GMP uses The Main Street Four-Point Approach® as a foundation for its local initiatives. The Main Street Approach® is a community-driven way to address the variety of issues and problems that challenge business districts.
GMP operates with four sub-committees, which correspond to each of the four points of The Main Street Approach® - Organization, Economic Development, Design and Promotion. Each committee is comprised of dedicated community volunteers. These committees (or four points) work together to build a sustainable and vibrant community. The committees (with recent highlighted events and projects) are listed below:
Organization Committee: Raises money for GMP, manages staff, volunteers and finances. Promotes GMP internally and externally.
- Canoe Raffle: A handmade wooden strip canoe, built by board member Bill Vecchio, was the grand prize in a raffle this summer that raised over $4,400 to support the Career Partnership Program.
- Take It or Leave It! Game Show “Fun Raiser”to support the many projects & programs of GMP.
- Holiday Greeting Card Sales: Original watercolors painted by board member, Christine Hodecker. All proceeds from the card sales will benefit GMP.
Community Economic Development Committee: Strengthens the community’s existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. Identifies new market opportunities and stimulates property investment in the community.
- Career Partnership Program: A public/private partnership between GMP and the Inter-Lakes School District, giving students an opportunity to make connections with local businesses and exposure to future careers through internships and job shadow programs. In 2009, 20 students were placed in internships and 25 completed job shadows.
- Meredith Business Ambassador Resource Guide: Local businesses received this binder to educate themselves on all our town has to offer. The guidebook was designed to be a resource for visitors and make recommendations on local establishments to encourage “buying local.”
- Tom Shay – Profits & Plus Seminar: GMP hosted two workshops and mixer for the business community in November.
Design Committee: Gets the district into top physical shape to convey a positive visual message. Design activities include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.
- Meredith Community Center Garden: The $70,000 Community Center Garden was completed in the spring of 2009 and was achieved entirely by donations and volunteers at no cost to the town. Individuals, local clubs, charitable organizations, designers, architects, landscapers, contractors and other businesses all collaborated to make this project a success. A dedication ceremony to thank all the volunteers was held on July 17 at the Community Center.
- All America Selections Display Garden at Meredith Public Library: The GMP sponsors, plants and maintains the beautiful display garden in front the library.
- Façade & Site Improvement Grant Program: As a follow-up to the successful Extreme Makeover of the Phu Jee restaurant facade on Main Street , GMP will offer financial assistance to commercial property owners striving to enhance, promote, and preserve the Greater Meredith community. Applicants must adhere to specific criteria, for monetary assistance. The funds may be in the form of material supplies and/or design services.
- Beautification & Conservation Fund Project: Established on January 1, 2009 to repopulate Meredith’s village core area and the Route 3 and 25 corridors with large and medium size streetscape trees. The fund will also assist in pruning, fertilizing and helping to maintain the existing tree-scapes that are currently established and help other organizations as well as the town’s beautification projects with donations. GMP kicked off its Beautification and Conservation Fund in July with two major plantings:
- First, in partnership with the Town of Meredith and Ambrose Brothers, the fund planted eight maple trees on the new section of Boynton Road in Meredith. in Meredith.
- The second planting - a beautiful October Glory Maple - in the center of the Rt. 3 and Rt. 106 roundabout - took place on July 14.
Promotion Committee: Sells a positive image of the district to encourage consumers and visitors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the commercial district through retail promotions, special events and marketing campaigns.
- Flower Barrels in the Village District: GMP volunteers plant and maintain the flower barrels from May through September.
- Thursday Nights Live! GMP joined forces with Main Street and Mill Falls Marketplace merchants to create Thursday Nights Live! on Thursday evenings in July and August, to attract consumers.
- Antique & Corvette Car Shows: on Main Street in July and August as part of the Thursday Nights Live! promotion to help attract consumers to the village district.
- September 11th Commemoration Guide: for American Legion ceremony held annually in Hesky Park
- Halloween in Meredith Events Guide: A Spooktacular Series of Events in October
* Where the Wild Things Are! in partnership with BarnZ’s Meredith Cinema, GMP hosted a community-based free Halloween movie event for children and their families.
* Scarecrow Contest: for participating merchants
* Monster Walk for children (and adults!)
- A December to Remember Holiday Guide: available at various locations throughout Meredith and on our website.
* Wreath Program: 61 wreaths were purchased through our discounted program with Moulton Farm.
* Christmas Tree Contest: for participating merchants
During the past five years, GMP has invested over $100,000 in direct cash investments back into the community through various programs and projects. This figure does not include donations, donated materials, labor and volunteer time by over 100 community professionals and residents. This truly broad-based program continues to engage a wide range of stakeholders in the community to bring about positive results. If you are interested in serving on one of these committees or have any questions, please contact us.
We are also very thankful to the Town of Meredith for their support.
Bonnie Ireland
Executive Director
3 Water Street ● PO Box 1417 ● Meredith, NH 03253 ● 603.279.9015
THINK LOCAL BUY LOCAL BE LOCAL
