Board of Directors:

The Historic Downtown Program has a full-time director. the director serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors and the four subcommittees, working jointly with members and other parties to further enhance the goals and objectives of each in accordance with the overall mission and vision of the Program. The director serves as primary media contact and contact person to city, state, county and national officials. She administers educational programs in order to improve awareness and appreciation of the downtown historical and social importance.

In January 2003, the City of Rising Sun created a full-time assistant position, to assist with the daily operations of the Downtown Program’s Business Development Center. The Assistant Direcor serves as the liaison between the Rising Sun Chamber of Commerce, Rising Sun Ohio County First Inc. the City of Rising Sun and The Historic Downtown Program.   

Organization Committee:

The Organization committees primary concerns involve program infrastructure, development of by-law and mission/vision statements and selection and recruitment of officers and committee volunteers.

2007 Goals

1. Conduct Downtown Program meetings in an effort to keep enthusiasm among Main Street Member by:

• Offering special guest speakers
• Holding target meetings focusing on a particular issue.

2. Award plaques in May to qualified building applicants

3. Host Preservation event in May to recognize the plaque recipients, Preservation Month, the Historic District, and the value of Preservation for the community

4. Complete working on a walking tour brochure on architecture for kids.

5. Oversee the Easter Basket Contest.

6. Create new Vision Statement.

7. Flyer/month for businesses.

Promotions Committee:

The Promotions Committee serves to entice movement in the downtown district. It provides assistance with festivals, special events and activities held downtown, and develops incentives to increase sales and traffic to the area. The Promotions Committee will meet by the call of the committee’s

2007 Goals

1. Foster closer relationship with Tourism in order to promote Rising Sun in conjunction with Tourism advertising and events.

• Create a series of 4 Rising Sun Post Cards
• Create an Invitation Card that assist visitors in planning their day in Rising Sun

2. Create a list of all local organizations and their contacts that will assist in the further promotion of Rising Sun

3. Create special promotion for the three main events; Shiner Pride Car Show, River Days, and the Navy Bean Festival (Such as: a Poker Hand Scavenger Hunt)

4. Create a Children’s Day in Rising Sun, wrapped around a Second Saturday Look Event

5. Collaborate with the Design Committee and the Public Art Committee on creating additional community public art.

Economic Restructuring:

The goals of the Economic Restructuring team involve business development, downtown business make-up, market analysis, and business retention. The Economic Restructuring committee will meet by the call of the co-chairs.

2007 Goals

Part I. Conduct Surveys and Analysis of existing conditions.

• Creating a computerized Building and Business Inventory
• Conducting a Survey of downtown Businesses (see attached)
• Determining the existing Business Mix in Downtown.
• Analyzing the Trade Area * Analyzing Local Economics
• Analyzing Customer Demographics and Lifestyles
• Assessing Consumer Attitudes

Part II: Identifying Market Opportunities by Sector

• Retail Opportunities * Service Business Opportunities
• Restaurant Opportunities
• Theater Opportunities
• Residential Opportunities
• Office Market Opportunities
• Lodging Opportunities

Part III: Drawing Conclusions and Developing Recommendations

• Business Retention and Expansion
• Niche Recommendations
• Space Utilization
• Marketing Plan
• Business Recruitment Recommendations

Design Committee:

Concerns of the Design Committee include preservation, beautification, parking, safety and image perception. The committee works closely with the Redevelopment Commission on guidelines for the Commission’s current Business Signage and Design Assistance Program. The Design Committee will meet by the call of the co-chairs.

2007 Goals

1. Work with new signage to create an inviting entrance to Main Street

2. Promote Beautification by:

• Participate the American In Bloom Contest
• Contest for the garden plots (sponsored by the Ohio County Garden Club)
• Repaint the existing painted pots into a consistent theme

3. Create a safe and attractive community

• Landscape both the Main St public parking area and the N Poplar St public parking area
• Main Street window washing project

4. Parking-Signage marking public parking lots

5. Assist the city in developing a maintenance plan

• Power washing and repainting of street signs and street lamps
• Regular schedule for street and sidewalk sweeping
• No litter signage

6. Promote Preservation- Preservation Day May 20, 2006

• Extent the historic plaque program
• Educate property owners on the importance of preservation