Wabasha Main Street Year in Review 2020
Wabasha Main Street 2020
1) Using Rethos project funds $4000.00 (which we receive annually) to give Support Funding to 6 Wabasha Main Street businesses to help reopen during Covid.
2) Continuing and expanding Adopt a Planter seasonally – we are at 28 planters now with individual businesses investing $225.00 annually to keep downtown looking good. We added 2 new ones this year so those investors spend $750 the first year= total downtown investment is annually is $6300.00 for maintenance. This is a City and Wabasha Main Street Partnership.
3) WMS gave $1400.00 to new drinking fountain at Heritage Park from our operating funds. We feel we should always try to do a partnership with city as we receive e operating support dollars from you. Rest of city support went to state and national dues – $2850.00. We get that back tenfold in resources, trainings and Project support funds, Artist on Main funds, and into 2021 Building support funds. We did Bike Share Partnership year 1 and 2.
4) WMS is in our 2nd year of Artist on Main and have $10,000 for this year’s program. We have awarded $7000.00 to 7 artists whose programs are midway through our season. Our theme is Sounds and Movements of the Mississippi River. Our website highlights each Artist.
5) WMS continues to partner with City, Port, HPC, WK Chamber, RJAC, NEC, Bike advocates and library with our programs and have representation from all of these on our committees or Artist partners. I feel Wabasha Main Street has been the convener of all organizations and we all are partners in making our downtown healthy and thriving.
6) Rethos trainings – webinars, workshops, Zoom meetings. I have attended weekly meetings since Covid and even more during trainings. We are still moving forward as advocates, directors of our communities Main Street Programs and continue to offer up support programs for our downtowns. We attend Preservation Conference Webinars also, free of charge for HPC also.
7) Volunteer hours / Reinvestment statistics – I continue to report reinvestment statistics quarterly and volunteer up over 600 hours annually as the only unpaid staff in MN. Our committees and board of directors add an additional 600 hours plus. Our small nonprofit 501 c 3 organization gives 1200 volunteer hours locally each year.
8). Shop Small Saturday Promotions– this will be our 5th year with WK Chamber on last Saturday of November to promote shopping locally first for the holidays.
9) Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony– First Friday of December – this will be our 3rd year if we are able to meet.
10) Continue to find additional support funding through RETHOS for Buildings Cohort, Transformational Strategy trainings and discussions with SEMCHRA programs for COVID funds for Small Businesses and in our Wabasha Main Street District.
For more information on how you can impact your downtown- www.wabashamainstreet.org
7 local artists were awarded project funding for Artists on Main Street Program
Wabasha Main Street has awarded 7 local artists to receive project funding up to $7,500. Additional funds will be spent on local projects and promotions from July thru November in our Main Street District. The goal of this second year is to create “safe art” and to incorporate our theme Sounds and Movements of the Mississippi River.
Sounds and Movements of the Mississippi River was designed to gather momentum from year one Perspective Initiative of telling your story to inviting artists to get in touch with the influences of nature while creating arts activates and installations using sounds and movements that inspire them. These 7 artists have attended the mandatory virtual creative place making workshop and /or study hall and meet the guidelines of eligibility of living or working within the 20 mile radius of Wabasha. These awarded artists will produce creative works of art that will incorporate sound ( music, words, expressions) and movements )performances ( live or virtually )or live streamed in the next few months. Wabasha’s Artists on Main Initiative felt that art can be created uniquely and safely during COVID 19 and wanted to continue rather than cancel our program. Art is healing; we will capture this moment in time and help us get our messages out or reminders of the beauty of the Mississippi River valley.
Wabasha’s Artist on Main is happy to introduce our 7 Artists and their Projects: Wendy Cockrell will be kicking off the program with Colors of the Mississippi water kits in partnership with the Wabasha Public Library July 5-10th. Cris Medina will be doing Dramatic Expressions on the Riverfront: Drama, Poetry, Storytelling in a series of writing workshops, create performance videos and presentation later this fall. Leta Bez -Wogen and Dave Wogen will create a Cycledelic! bike fence with moving bike wheels. Janet Runions will be creating a River of Life Quilt. Julie Anderson and the Wabasha Woodwinds Quintet will be performing 3 live concerts entitled Music on the Mississippi. Bev hall and Wabasha Public Library will be offering Uke’n Play virtual music lessons on the Ukulele taught by Ashley Carlson, St. Felix Music teacher. Marsha Hall and daughter Laura will be providing a class and Ironworks signage with their project Who’s on Pembroke.
Each of these artists will be highlighted in a publication coming out in July with dates and timelines. All events are free and opened to the public. Please follow us on social media or our Wabasha Main Street website – www.wabashamainstreet.org. or email Mary Flicek at wabashamainstreet@gmail.com.
“This activity is part of the Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Wabasha Main Street, RETHOS, and Springboard for the Arts with support from the Bush Foundation. “
July 4th Fireworks Display – Donations Needed
The fireworks display is set for Saturday at dusk on July 4th from Malone Park.
Social distancing among spectators is encouraged. The committee is currently short in funds due to the effect if the COVID-19 shutdown from long time sponsors.
Any business or individual that would like to make a donation this year can contact Paul Flicek at (651) 565-4505 or (651) 565-2160
Any contribution large or small would be appreciated
Zoom Workshop – Artist on Main 2020 – Call for Artists
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Historic Downtown Wabasha Businesses Eligible for $1000 Support Funds – Apply by 12:00pm on Wednesday, April 15th
Criteria for Rethos Main Streets Support Fund
The Rethos Main Streets Support Fund is a newly formed initiative in partnership with local designated Main Street programs to support small businesses located within Main Street districts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds ranging from $500 to $1,000 are
available for projects that will assist local businesses to operate through or reopen quickly following the COVID- 19 pandemic. Projects may be collaborative with other businesses and organizations in your community.
Eligible Projects: Marketing, customer and community engagement and relations, unique business specific reopening events, operational upgrades (including technology, online stores, etc.), physical space updates (signs, displays, paint/construction supplies), your time to complete the project.
Ineligible Expenses: Rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, inventory costs, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. These funds are not for personal expenses (groceries, healthcare, etc.).
Deadline: Applications are due by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Fund award announcements will be made on Monday, April 20.
Criteria for Applicants:
- Have fewer than 20 employees (combination of part and full time)
- Must be a brick and mortar business (but may be 501c3)
- Business may rent or own space
- Demonstrate sustainability: how will the funds keep the business running during emergency time and include plans for reopening
- Existing partnership with local Main Street Program
- Specified plan for funds with budget information
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