COMMITTEES The establishment of support committees ensure the continuing commitment by those involved to bring new energy to downtown Marion. These committees work hand in hand to establish support for those who work and visit the downtown district to create exciting new ventures throughout the community. DESIGN - Directs design improvement activities relating to building maintenance and rehabilitation, historical preservation, new construction, public information and privately owned signs, graphic material, public improvements, visual merchandising, traffic and parking. Works with the Promotion Committee to ensure a consistent, high-quality image in signs, advertisements and other graphic material associated with the MDRA. Establishes a sound relationship with the local design and construction professionals, sharing technical information on historical preservation, rehabilitation an maintenance of traditional commercial buildings Promotes awareness of downtown design and historical preservation issues throughout the community. Monitors design changes throughout the downtown. Works with the Economic Restructuring Committee to plan, implement, and administer appropriate incentives to encourage design improvement and property development activity. Allocates funds for design improvement activities in accordance with the MDRA’s annual work plan and budget. Monitors local ordinances and other applicable regulations affecting downtown design issues and works toward developing a supportive regulatory environment for downtown revitalization activity. Establishes a sound working relationship with the state historical preservation office and other state and regional agencies that provide assistance in areas related to downtown design improvement through historical preservation. Conducts and maintains a thorough inventory of downtown properties. PROMOTION - Directs retail promotions, traffic-building activity and image improvements for the downtown, or establishes liaisons and develops joint promotional strategies with existing organizations active in one or more of these areas. Assumes primary responsibility for defining the marketable image of the downtown marketable image in all downtown promotional programs. Monitors community and consumer perceptions of the downtown and seeks to reverse negative attitudes and build on positive ones. Allocates funds for promotional activity in accordance with the MDRA’s annual work plan and budget. Works toward building new sources f funding for a portion of the program’s total annual budget. Builds a strong network of volunteers to help implement promotional programs and establishes good working relationships with community organizations, charities, school clubs, and other groups that might participate in promotional activities. Works with the Economic Restructuring Committee to monitor changes in the downtown’s market and adjusts the promotional plan accordingly, always building on downtown assets, to increase the commercial district’s market share. Works with the Design Committee to ensure a consistent, high-quality image in signs, advertisements, and other graphic materials associated with the MDRA’s program. Establishes a sound working relationship with local and regional media. Monitors the effectiveness of promotional programs on an ongoing basis. ORGANIZATION - Establishing consensus and cooperation by building effective partnerships among all downtown stakeholders. (Meets as Needed) ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING - Works to strengthen existing downtown businesses and to recruit additional businesses through the following types of programs: development of business assistance teams; sponsorship of business seminars; identification of downtown market opportunities; dissemination of relevant information to existing and potential businesses; development of promotional literature describing the downtown business environment; and development of incentive programs to stimulate business growth. Monitors changes in the local market on an ongoing basis; assesses the downtown’s market share within the community and the region; measures the involvement of various market groups in downtown commerce; monitors sales leakage or surplus; and assesses the downtown’s mix of retail, commercial, residential, recreational and civic space. Directs activity related to downtown commercial and real estate development. Works with the Design Committee to plan and implement appropriate incentives to encourage design improvement and property development activity. Works with the Promotion Committee to monitor and adjust the downtown promotional plan to increase the downtown’s market share. Establishes a sound working relationship with local and regional financial institutions, business assistance organizations, and other businesses and agencies that provide assistance in areas related to downtown economic development Conducts and maintains a comprehensive inventory of downtown businesses. Allocates funds for downtown economic development activity in accordance with the MDRA’s annual budge and work plan. Becomes familiar with city, county, and regional economical development strategies and coordinates projects when possible, utilizing economic development programs already in place and investigating the creation of new programs when appropriate. Promotes the downtown as a good place for commercial and real estate development activity. Feel free to view our Business Devleopment Booklet MEMBERSHIP - Plans and conducts annual fund-raising activities for the MDRA program and ensures that adequate funding is in place at all times. Organizes and conducts annual nomination program for board of directors. Organizes and conducts an annual membership drive. Helps the Design, Promotion, and Economic Restructuring Committees recruit new members. Promotes the development of a strong volunteer network within the MDRA program. Encourages leadership development with the MDRA program. Works with the board of directors to acquaint new board and committee members with the MDRA program goals, activities, policies, and procedures. Executive Committee - Members: The Executive Committee shall include the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate past president. The term of office is one year. Duties: Shall include approval of emergency expenditures within the limit set by the Board of Directors Shall have power to address personnel matters, exclusive of hiring or dismissing employees, and determination of compensation levels. Shall carry out other functions as determined or directed by the Board of Directors Shall report at the next Board of Directors meeting any and all actions of the committee which will become part of the minutes. A Guide for Making the Most of Your Investment in Marion’s Historic Downtown District.