2009 Year in Review, 2010 next steps

2009 has been a transitional year for the Town Center group and the Town Center. The TC group has undergone a near complete replacement of leadership during 2009.  Priorities are to find ways to strengthen the business environment by marketing our strengths and working in partnership with the appropriate parties to create new opportunities in the downtown.  At the end of 2009, in the midst of an economic downturn we find ourselves in a weakened state in the Town Center.  The priorities for the Town Center are clear for 2010, business attraction and retention.

2009 Goals
Stabilize leadership and set strategic direction.  Start marketing what we have and create a group that supports the ongoing health and well being of the Town Center area, an organization which people see value in participating.  It is our aim to further improve your awareness of Town Center activities and issues, to seek your input concerning those matters, and to make it easier for you to access information from our Town Center resources through the use of links to other websites and special offers for downtown businesses and activities.

2009 Accomplishments
Marketing
Website redevelopment – In July of this year we launched a new web site for the GCTC. 
The focus of this website was to create a tool to market the strengths of the Town Center to our consumers.  We determined that the current marketable strength of the Town Center is the many activities held in the Town Center.  These activities include events sponsored by the City and the Chamber of Commerce, events sponsored by civic groups such as the Rotary and the Little Theater groups, classes and private enterprise sponsored entertainment   from businesses like Planks, Parkers, Tristanos, Always in Stitches and Red Letter Journals.  A calendar was created that would allow people to find out what is happening on any given day in the TC.

The website also includes the following;
• Business directory for all businesses to include a listing, in addition to enhanced listings capability for Member businesses
• Member sign up capabilities
• Photo gallery with the ability to comment on photos
• Contact and informational pages about the group

A new member designation called friends of the TC was created.  The purpose was to allow people to sign up for the newsletters regarding TC activities without being a voting member.   We have signed up approximately 300 friends of the Town Center since August.

The Town Center group participated in the Columbus Monthly pullout section focusing on Grove City at a cost of $1800.  The focus of the advertisement was the newly established Christmas Mistletoe Market.

Events
Alumni Festival – The TC group participated in partnership with the City of Grove City in the Alumni festival.  Approximately 85% of the businesses participated by placing large signs in their window to market to alumni to participate in a window decorating contest.  The class signs represented the decades of 1930 and 1940, in addition to individual signs for years 1950 thru 2009.  Thirteen classes participated in decorating windows downtown and many others expressed an interest in participating next year.  A good database of contacts has been initiated to utilize for this event in 2010.  Positive feedback was received by the participants and the businesses.

Chamber sponsored Kids Fun Street – GCTC participated by passing out free brownies donated by The Wooden Spoon, while marketing the TC group and the Friends of the TC designation.

Mistletoe Market – The established fundraiser for the TC, the Christmas Tree Festival was taken over by the Community Center.  The TC felt it was important to establish a new fundraiser that is located in the Downtown.  This year the concept of a Christmas Market was created, branded and initiated in conjunction with the City tree lighting event.  The intention is to increase this event each year until it is the signature fundraiser for the TC group.  This year 15 vendors marketing holiday gifts, decorations and food items participated in the event.  The entertainment was provided in the downtown area to support was already being offered by the city which expanded these offerings through Saturday at 4pm.  Over 20 merchants participated by holding holiday hours in conjunction with the event, in addition, some offered free treats and special holiday offerings.  In addition to those events held by the TC group and the city, in partnership with the event the Southwest Library, the Southwest Historical Society and the Little Theater held activities coinciding with the event.  Feedback was good and we are looking forward to expanding on this foundation in 2010.  A grant of $500 was received from the VCB to assist in marketing this event.

Lighting Project
The town center has continued the lighting project initiated in 2008 in conjunction with the city of Grove City.  Matching grant funds were provided to the building owners for updating lighting on the Garden Café and Parkers Tavern.  This grant program provides matching grants, to be used in conjunction with the city of Grove City grant funds specifically for the purpose of improving lighting in the downtown area.

Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the following organizations for their willingness to partner with the TC:

The City of Grove City, especially the Parks and Recreation and Service Department for their partnership and support in all of the Downtown events and the Grove City Council for providing a liaison from City Council to serve on our Board.

The Visitor and Convention Bureau for their ongoing support, advice and assistance with the TC marketing ideas and efforts.

The Southwest Historical Society for establishing a new partnership with the TC group.
 
Special thanks to Christine Houk for her leadership, Rebecca Sommers for her creativity and Andy Furr, Jolene Engelman and Robin Carl for stepping up to create the first Mistletoe Market.

Special thanks to Cynthia Lawrence for spearheading the Alumni Festival and her three years of service to the Town Center Board of Directors.  Cynthia’s participation as the Secretary for the group has been invaluable and we look forward to her ongoing participation as a member in the future.

I personally want to thank Christine Houk for stepping in to the Vice President spot and taking on partnership and leadership with me since I made the decision to run for the School Board.  Christine is an incredible asset this TC organization and has allowed me to focus where I needed to, knowing that she was providing the leadership necessary to keep this organization moving.