Our Accomplishments to Date

Developed a new Newsletter and distributes it to downtown businesses on a bi-monthly basis
Secured a new Web site maintenance contractor and updated the Web site
Wrote and updated By-Laws and had them accepted by the membership
Hosts a Main Street Holiday Party each year
Conducts Havre de Grace Haunted History and Ghost Tours during October and November and already hosted hundreds of guests on the tours
Set up a lending library of Main Street materials in the Manager's office

Attend Main Street Training and Main Street Maryland membership meetings sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Identified appropriate software and established a new database for tracking business and member information and generating reports and emails
Recruited and hired a new part-time Main Street Manager
Successfully wrote Legacy Grant Applications and was awarded funds
Established quarterly membership meetings for Main Street so that members can meet and mingle with one another
Conducted a survey of attendees at the January 2007 membership meeting
Selected a domain name and established a Main Street Web site
Established a Main Street membership program
Created a Board Member Handbook for Directors’ reference
Established and maintain a Board of Directors and Main Street’s committees
Secured an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designation

Encouraged and assisted several businesses in installing window and display lighting for after hours
Submitted recommendations to the City regarding the Barker Property development (on Route 155) and its potential effect on the Main Street district
Conducted a seminar on Visual Merchandising and arranged for individual consultations with merchants on their window displays
Distributed survey forms to businesses to be completed by visitors through Labor Day 2007 to ascertain where our visitors were coming from
Advised two businesses on applying for and securing RAD loans
Secured City Council approval of the inclusion of sidewalk sales during First Fridays
Received a Main Street area building façade assessment, prepared by a Harford Community College student at the request of Main Street
Began developing a property owner database
Performed a strengths and weaknesses analysis

Assisted two downtown businesses in renovating their facades in 2008 through the Facade Improvement Program
Purchased and installed planters and matching trash cans downtown
Arranged for slow-growing boxwoods to be planted in the planters, leaving room to add seasonal flowers
Installed lights on the trees in North Washington Street
Is sponsoring an extension of the Havre de Grace signature sidewalk on Franklin Street
Arranged for the decoration and lighting of the annual Christmas Tree at Rochambeau Plaza

Designed and purchased sets of four-seasonal banners and arranged for their installation with each changing season
Designed and purchased unique Havre de Grace Main Street banners and arranged for their installation
Oversaw design and painting of an underwater mural on a St. John Street wall
Launched our Façade Improvement Program and assisted businesses in applying for façade improvement grants

Identified an annual street festival to begin in 2008, named “The Graw Days,” commemorating Havre de Grace's colorful history of horse racing at The Graw during the Roaring Twenties
Hosted an “Advertising 101” meeting for downtown merchants at which local media companies offered discount advertising programs to Main Street members
Distributed the Main Street Walking Map to visitors through the Havre de Grace Visitor Center, City Hall, restaurants, hotels and other lodging, shops, museums, marinas, and other places
Coordinates annual arrival of and visit with Santa Claus
Successfully sold advertising for and published four updated editions to date of the Havre de Grace Main Street Walking Map
Organized First Friday celebrations with live music and performers in the street, car shows, children’s entertainment, open air market, and specials offered by merchants and restaurants
Secured a title sponsor for the First Fridays season and sponsors for individual First Friday celebrations
Conducted auditions, selected, and trained tour guides for the Haunted History and Ghost Tours
Applied for and received grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Harford County Government through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board
Provided Havre de Grace Main Street promotional materials as handouts at The McDonald's LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola at the Bulle Rock Golf Course

Completed the necessary paperwork and application to the State of Maryland for Havre de Grace to be designated as an Arts & Entertainment District. The application was approved and Havre de Grace became a designated Arts & Entertainment District on July 1, 2008
Completed a property owner inventory of the Main Street District