As Charleston Main Streets gains traction as the central link between the West Side and East End main street programs, the new organization seeks to expand its corporate investments.
Executive Director Ric Cavender said Tuesday at the Charleston Main Streets Board of Directors meeting that he is drafting a financial development plan to build on the organization's corporate partners. That plan will be presented at its financial development committee meeting in coming weeks.
Both the West Side and East End main street programs have "pretty strong corporate investment, but the idea is we can make it organization wide," Cavender said. Charleston Main Streets will directly approach the nearly 70 corporate sponsors, including Suddenlink, Tudor's Biscuit World and Huntington Banks, that already contribute to either of the two groups it represents.
"One thing we learned from existing sponsors is they really want to attach their name to like a program or a project, not just giving us money for administrative purposes," Cavender said. "It's city-wide exposure, versus one neighborhood."
The board has also issued a request for proposals from local marketing firms to create a "branding identity" for Charleston Main Streets on a pro bono basis, as well as rebranding for the West Side business district.
Board member and CEO of the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau Alisa Bailey said that while the West Side's existing brand is interesting, "it was really small, and I think applying that graphic to many applications was a challenge from a marketing standpoint."
The board is accepting proposals until Jan. 11.
More than $100,000 in grants have been approved for Charleston Main Streets since its inception this past spring, including one from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for $47,000, which will go toward funding solar powered recycling receptacles on the East End and West Side.
Despite a slow programming month in November, the organization's income this year to date is more than $15,000, with a total equity of $139,000.
Board President Adam Krason echoed Cavender's emphasis on the organization's need for additional sponsors.
"We've maintained and grown some programs, but now we need to undertake the bigger institutional fund raising for Charleston Main Streets so we can ensure the money raised is being used operationally," he said.
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.