If you would have told me 6 years ago when I started with Downtown Wytheville Inc. that I would even be considered for the Mary Means Leadership Award from Main Street America, I wouldn’t have believed it. At that time, I didn’t even know what the Main Street Approach was or even how our community was going to receive this new Main Street initiative that we were trying to implement locally.

Making the case for Main Street

In late 2016, I was hired as a brand-new Main Street Director to create positive change within our local community, recruit new businesses, and assist in a full-scale streetscape construction project. This all sounded awesome and something that I would love to do, but that feeling changed some when I faced the challenges of working with others’ egos, agendas, and the politics surrounding all that. I allude to some of that in this blog post I wrote for Main Street America in 2019. I learned quickly that construction projects are not fun, and that recruiting businesses and generating foot traffic in a construction zone is virtually impossible. It felt, at times, almost like this was a job that really had no description and required me to learn as I go while having funding held over our head and trying to figure out what to do in the process. I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I later learned that this is the world we Directors live in a lot of times.

In the beginning, for me, it was almost a no-win situation. I knew what we were doing was impactful and beneficial for our community. However, selling all that to residents, businesses, and property owners was a different story at times. Some people see change or progress as a negative thing, especially in rural communities. Also, some people and organizations who are not a part of the process don’t personally like it because they are not the ones creating the positive change. There is a reason that Main Street Director positions have a lifespan of about 5-6 years. It’s time for localities and other like-minded organizations to understand and accept that Main Street is grassroots economic development at its truest form. We build relationships, negotiate projects, facilitate public and private partnerships, change the landscape and culture of communities, and, most importantly, create a sense of place right here at home. We are changemakers, and those who choose to get on board can be too.

Living and Learning

It’s like anything in life. You live, learn, and keep pushing. You earn a seat at the table through hard work and dedication to the end goal while generating as many positive partnerships along the way as you can. My mindset upon taking this position was to create a vision for our community and make it become a reality while being steadfast and consistent with that approach. Some will like it, and some won’t. That’s ok though if the majority swings in your direction. It is most important to have the right group and partners surrounding you because, without their support, you can’t get any of this done. I didn’t understand the world of local small-town businesses and organizational politics before taking this position. I learned quickly that a lot of what people say and do are two different things. It’s quite amazing what Main Street organizations can get done while being understaffed, underfunded, and mostly volunteer-driven. There is no doubt we make the most impact with the least resources. Just imagine if we have all the resources and capacity we need at our fingertips. However, when things get tough, Main Street Organizations thrive and rise to the occasion. I think it’s just our nature as Directors and why it takes a special person to be one. Not everyone is cut out for this job, and I have often questioned many times if I am.

Early in the process was a struggle, but we got through it, gained momentum, sustained additional funding, celebrated some small wins, and really started to separate ourselves from the crowd and build our brand awareness through the process. Now we serve as a positive role model for other communities, just as they did for us in the beginning.

Create a vision and make it a reality

While the Mary Means Leadership Award is an individual award, none of this happens without the partners, countless volunteers, and support. It means a great deal to be honored in this capacity and really makes me feel rewarded for the long hours and behind-the-scenes work that I put in for our local community and region.

I am no different from any other Directors who put in the work and create positive change for their respective communities. But I believe what sets me apart are my instincts and unique vision in creating a sense of place where locals and visitors alike want to be. That has been and will always be my focus for Wytheville. When we create an avenue for businesses, property owners, and community residents who bond with that same vision, we can collectively become positive community champions and change-makers for generations to come.

#togetherwearebetter

The Main Street network is such a close-knit community. We have so much in common and can help each other through situations because we get it and live it. The mental health of Main Street is a real thing and we need to consciously focus on creating a healthy work life balance, if that is such a thing in this line of work. I think the more we work together and build the network capacity, the stronger we all become. I speak to Directors and other communities all the time about processes, ideas, and overall organizational capacity and sustainability. A lot of times, we, as Directors, just need to be a sounding board. I am no different from anyone. I reach out to people too, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am glad to be a voice for Main Street and to continue to build positive connections in our network.

I was honored to be chosen for the Mary Means Leadership Award for 2022 and will continue to push the Main Street narrative on the local, state, and national levels. Main Street Directors across the nation are some of the strongest and most self-motivated people I have ever been around. It takes a special person to deal with all the dynamics of this position, and I respect every Director across the nation who is creating change within their respective communities, because not much about this line of work comes without a mountain of stress, constant change, and being the boots on the ground.

Applications for the 2023 Mary Means Award are now open! The success of a Main Street program depends upon the vision and determination of local leaders committed to community-led transformation. To celebrate these extraordinary individuals and to recognize the outstanding leadership of Main Street America’s founder, Main Street America recognizes exceptional leaders with the Mary Means Leadership Award. 

The nominee must be currently employed by or volunteering (including Board Members) with a local Main Street program or Coordinating Program that have an active Main Street America membership. The applicant may submit a nomination for someone else or themselves. Nominations are due by January 11. The awardee will be announced at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.