Picayune Main Street is a part of National Main Street and use their guidance and access to funding to help create a better Picayune focused in the historic downtown area. Here are some of the projects and initiatives we achieved last year:

**PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY ARPA GRANTS (American Rescue Plan Act)

 DESIGN

**Completed 2 New Murals in Thigpen Alley by Artist Nikki Main Beetles in Space and Grandpa Thigpen & Gumball Machine

• New Picayune Main Street Website was designed by Nancy Bounds of NB Interiors

**2024 Picayune Main Street, Inc Board of Directors was pleased to present a newly designed gatefold brochure, offering an informative guide to the City of Picayune. The brochure includes an historical district map with points of interest, a regional map with a map key denoting restaurant, murals, shopping, playgrounds, off-leash dog parks, museums, and historic information about Picayune from its inception to the present day. And a fun detailed Downtown Walking Map QR Code was designed by Nancy Bounds of NB Interiors.

ORGANIZATION

• March 21st General Membership Meeting Guest Speaker City of Picayune Planning and Zoning Director, Diane Miller and City Manager Harvey Miller.

• October 17th General Membership Meeting Guest Speakers Greater Area Chamber of Commerce Director Laci Lee and Assistant Director, Courtney Martin

• July 10th Retirement Celebration for Byron Hill

• Merchant Breakfast Meeting May 9th Business Members discuss upcoming events

• Share Special events for business members on Facebook and via Email as requested.

• 22nd Annual Christmas Luncheon for City of Picayune Public Works, Elected and Appointed Officials, Fire Dept. Police Dept. Pearl River County Board of Supervisors & Sheriff Dept, Emergency Professionals at the Mary H.. Richardson Community Center

PROMOTION

• Sponsored 59th Spring Street Festival in April attracted many new artisans and 1st time visitors to Picayune, MS

• 60th Semi -Annual Fall Street Festival in November - November Street Festival had a new record collection of Sales Tax from out-of-town vendors

• Sponsored Downtown Music Event & Maker’s Market. Event featured amazing talented local musicians

• Sponsored 3rd Annual Santa’s Workshop and 20th Annual Shop by Candlelight Event the 1st Friday in December

• Board of Directors Selected Mitchell’s Dept Store as the 2024 Historic Collectible Christmas Ornament

ECONOMIC VITALITY

** Glen Neal Façade Project 323 East Canal Street completed in September

**Façade Lighting Project by TNT on 5 Businesses on East Canal and 5 Businesses on West Canal Street. These areas were selected due to electricity was already in place to connect lights.

** Champion Sports Bistreaux 115 West Canal Street replaced awning

** Off the Wall Power Wash/Soft Wash Façade projects on 114, 116, 118 East Canal and 127 & 129 West Canal and sidewalks.

** Purchased Portable Sound Systems to use during Picayune Main Street outdoor events.

**Purchased the following to use during 6 of Picayune Main Street Inc annual outdoor events, 16 folding chairs, 3-10x20 tents logo added, and 13 picnic tables. (Need 8 More folding chairs)

• Purchased metal signage through Community Trust Round Up Grant by Coast Electric to Enhance Downtown with Walking Map QR Codes displayed in designated areas to be determined.

• Donated 12 Picnic Tables & 6 tents to the City of Picayune Police Department for Community events.

**PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY ARPA GRANTS (American Rescue Plan Act)

DESIGN

• Train Staff Efficiently on new Website, Flyer/poster design, Email programs and Facebook Algorithm

ORGANIZATION

• Continue to promote members and share specials on all social platforms when requested

• Increase 2025 Partners and Sponsors

• Plan Membership Meetings that will encourage increased attendance

• 2025 City of Picayune Christmas Appreciation Luncheon suggestion is to have 2 separate seatings at Mary H Richardson Community Center and Seek Sponsors

PROMOTION

• Continue to improve Semi Annual Street Festivals, reach out to artists and be more selective in participants & enforce guidelines for ALL participants.

• Utilizing Street Musicians during downtown events and the Semi-Annual Street Festivals, complemented by new sound systems purchased through ARPA funds will prove valuable in increasing attendance.

• Evaluate Santa Workshop with possibilities to increase participation to continue growing event

ECONOMIC VITALITY

** Complete Mural on the former Crosby Mercantile Building began 10/2024- Ashley Mason

**Begin 3-D Crosswalk by Artist Andy Green Approved Dec. 2024

** Complete MS Power Ornate Lighting Project. Approved September 2024

**Partnership with MS Power- install 4 Ornate lights on West Canal and 4 Ornate lights on East Canal. City of Picayune Elected Officials agreed to cover monthly cost of electricity and Picayune Main Street paid upfront cost to bore and concrete removal. Installation to begin January 2025

** MAGCOR 6 Benches & 6 Trash Receptacles order placed 09/2024 approved Delivery Jan 2025

** Two Sisters Creole Restaurant 119 A Hwy l1 South Approved Bid and confirmed contract Project began in November

**DIY Cabinets, Granite and Lighting 301 West Canal Approved Bid and confirmed contract Project began in November.

**Cottage on Curran AirBnB Approved Bid and confirmed contract Project will begin in January

Approved Dec.2024

** 201 East Canal Soap de Jolie

** 205 East Canal Guidry Furniture & Co.

** 105 Hwy 11 South Antiques and Collectibles

** 127 West Canal Street Cottage Style

Approved Dec. 2024

**East Canal Entrance to 101 Hwy 11 South

**East Canal Entrance to 103 Hwy 11 South

A strategy for revitalizing a downtown area is incremental growth, which focuses on small, manageable

development projects that makes a visual impact and gradually improves the area through a series of smaller, more achievable steps to create a more sustainable and vibrant downtown.

**Projects made possible by ARPA funds provided by the

Mississippi Main Street Association. Through the Mississippi Legislature. Pearl River County MS State Legislatures

Senator Angela Hill 40th District, Senator Mike Seymour 47th District, Stacey Wilkes House 108, Jansen Owen House 106, Timmy Ladner House 93

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA'S APROACHES AND PROJECTS:

https://mainstreet.org/about/how-we-work/the-main-street-approach

Your membership dues help us acheive these goals and your talents and assistance are welcome here!

This easy to use app highlights businesses and services in Main Street districts across America. Help support the Main Street mission and the businesses that invest in places like your home town!

• Awarded Funds to complete an  amazing Façade Project at Noble House 141 Kirkwood Street 
• With new windows, fencing and painting MS Power Community Partnership Project 
• Facade Grant for new restaurant opening soon New Windows Upstairs and Downstairs
• Purchased Bistro Set for Thigpen      Alley and Umbrellas and Stands for the 7 Bistro Sets in Alleys
• New Façade and added Handicap Accessibility for public entrance to office at 110 East Canal Street 

• Picayune Main Street, Inc. Program Assessment was Friday, July 7th Led by Jennifer Lay, MS Main Street Community Development with 8 Picayune Main Street members in attendance
• Lisa Thompson, Senior Program Officer for Revitalization Services was virtual 
• MS Main Street Association Awarded Mr Bill Edwards the Paul Coggin Trailblazer Award
• Mr. Bill Edwards was elected as Emeritus on the Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors
• Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Awarded Vital Volunteer
• Christy Goss 2023 Volunteer of the Year
• Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Awards

•  Sponsored 57th Spring Street Festival in April and 58th Semi -Annual Fall Street Festival in November 
• November had a record      collection of Sales Tax from out of town vendors 
• Sponsored Downtown Music Event & Maker’s Market
• Sponsored the Santa’s WorkShop and Shop by Candlelight Event
• Selected Highland Community  Hospital as the 2023 Historic Collectible Christmas Ornament  

• Received $25,000.00      in Grants for Downtown Revitalization Purpose
• Received $ 4,600.00 Grants from      Visit MS Tourism to promote Picayune MS
• Received $ 2,000.00 Grant      Downtown Beautification Grant from Wal-Mart
• Received $ 100,000.00 ARPA      Grant for Downtown Façade Project
• Received $ 1400.00 MS Arts Commission and National Endowment      of the Arts Grant to preserve Murals in the Downtown area- Project      Complete
• Received $ 4000.00 Grant Coast Electric To Enhance the Downtown with QR Codes with Historic Info
• Received a $1000.00 Wal Mart Grant for Downtown Improvements
• 2023 Grants Received & Awarded $138,000.00
• Over the past 18 years: Grants received  2005-2023 $2,905,549.20