Annual Report

The ultimate storyteller.

Our Foundation.

  • As a Main Street program, our mission is to revitalize and strengthen our community’s downtown area, creating a vibrant and thriving hub that celebrates our unique history, supports local businesses, and fosters a strong sense of community pride.

    We are dedicated to preserving the character and charm of our downtown, while also promoting economic growth and development.

    Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and innovative initiatives, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that attracts residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

  • Through our unwavering commitment to these pillars, Main Street is dedicated to revitalizing our downtown, creating a place that residents are proud to call home, and visitors are eager to explore.

    1. Historic Preservation: We believe in honoring our community’s rich heritage and architectural treasures. By preserving and restoring historic buildings, we aim to retain the unique character and charm that sets our downtown apart. Through educational programs and advocacy, we seek to instill a sense of pride in our history and heritage.

    2. Economic Vitality: We recognize a thriving downtown is essential for a healthy and prosperous community. By supporting local businesses, attracting new investments, and fostering entrepreneurship, we create a vibrant economic ecosystem that benefits both residents and merchants.

    3. Community Engagement: We believe that a strong sense of community is the foundation of a successful downtown. Through inclusive and accessible programming, events, and initiatives, we foster a sense of belonging and encourage residents of all ages to actively participate in shaping the future of our downtown.

    4. Marketing and Promotion: We understand the importance of effectively showcasing our downtown’s unique offerings and attractions. Through targeted marketing campaigns, branding initiatives, and digital presence, we aim to attract visitors, tourists, and new residents to experience the vibrancy and charm of our downtown.

  • We envision a Main Street that is bustling with activity, filled with locally-owned businesses, vibrant public spaces, and a diverse array of events and attractions.

    It is a place that celebrates our unique heritage, showcasing historic buildings that have been thoughtfully restored and repurposed to meet the needs of a modern community. It is a place where the past and the present seamlessly blend, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and charm.

    We see a Main Street that not only supports existing businesses but also nurtures and empowers entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.

    We imagine a Main Street that is accessible and sustainable, with well-designed and walkable streetscapes that prioritize pedestrian safety and convenience. It is a place where green spaces, public art, and outdoor seating invite people to linger, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

    Ultimately, our vision for Main Street is one that inspires community pride, fosters economic growth, and preserves the unique character of our town. We aim to create a downtown that is not only a destination but also a reflection of the values, aspirations, and spirit of our community.

    With the support and collaboration of residents, business owners, and community stakeholders, we are committed to turning this vision into a reality, ensuring that our Main Street remains a vibrant and cherished place for generations to come.

    1. Integrity: We commit to conducting ourselves with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and transparency in all our actions and decisions. We will act in the best interest of the Main Street community and avoid conflicts of interest or unethical behavior.

    2. Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and are accountable to the Main Street community, our stakeholders, and the public. We will strive to make informed and ethical decisions, and promptly address any concerns or issues that arise.

    3. Respect: We value and respect the dignity, diversity, and rights of all individuals. We will treat everyone with fairness, courtesy, and respect, and ensure that our actions and decisions are free from discrimination, harassment, or bias.

    4. Confidentiality: We will handle confidential information with utmost care and respect, ensuring its protection and only sharing it when necessary and authorized. We recognize the importance of maintaining the privacy and trust of individuals and organizations we work with.

    5. Professionalism: We will maintain a high level of professionalism in all our interactions, communications, and relationships. We will strive to continuously enhance our skills, knowledge, and expertise to better serve the Main Street community.

    6. Environmental Responsibility: We are committed to promoting and practicing environmentally responsible actions and initiatives. We will prioritize sustainability, conservation, and environmentally friendly practices in our operations and encourage others to do the same.

    7. Fairness and Equity: We will work towards creating a fair and equitable Main Street, ensuring that opportunities, resources, and benefits are distributed fairly and without discrimination. We will actively seek to address and eliminate any systemic barriers or inequalities that exist.

    8. Compliance with Laws and Regulations: We will comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal requirements. We will stay informed about evolving regulations and strive to maintain the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct.

    9. Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the Main Street community, seeking their input, feedback, and involvement in decision-making processes. We will be transparent about our activities, provide regular updates, and actively communicate with stakeholders.

    10. Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement and learning. We will regularly review and evaluate our practices, policies, and procedures to ensure they align with the highest ethical standards and reflect the evolving needs and expectations of the Main Street community.

Our Standards.

“As a Main Street America Accredited program, Heart of Scottsville is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

All Main Street America Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.”

Built on Values.

  • We will strive to understand the needs of our community better than any other organization.

  • We will eliminate all of the unimportant opportunities in order to do a good job of those things we decide to do.

  • We will present ourselves and our work in a creative, professional manner in order to impute desire qualities.

    People really do judge a book by its cover.

  • We will strengthen and secure Scottsville’s historic business district.

  • We will develop and improve the unique culture of our community.

  • We will diligently steward our resources and influence for the good of the community.

Our Impact.

  • Allen County Farmers Market

    We established food access programs like our Market Money Gift Card Program and the Wholesale Buyout Program.

    We purchased $7,915 worth of food from local farmers to give to our community.

    These programs combined with participation in SNAP/EBT, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC meant fresh, local produce and meats were available to more of our community than ever before.

    We moved the needle on food insecurity in Allen County - all while supporting local farmers and artisans!

  • First Fridays on the Square

    We hosted more than (200) unique entrepreneurs, artisans, and producers from across the region during our 2023 First Friday events.

    We awarded $3,000 in small business grants.

    We awarded a $1,000 college scholarship and funded a $2,200 music scholarship program.

    We provided $1,000 in free school supplies.

    We donated to other nonprofits, churches, and civic groups, including a $500 donation to St. Jude.

    We provided a platform for our schools to raise money and awareness for a variety of programs and projects.

    We purchased $2,000 worth of toys at Christmas.

    First Fridays provided an opportunity to partner with so many incredible organizations! We enjoyed every minute of it.

  • 1881 Building Restoration

    Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this former home of Carpenter Dent Drugs is one of the oldest surviving buildings in our historic district and an important part of our community's architectural assets.

    The restoration of this property spanned 10 years, 3 Executive Directors, several small business startups, and some pretty historic economic challenges.

    More than $300,000 was invested with local contractors and craftsmen during the extensive restoration and renovation project .

    We were proud to complete this project in 2023 with the sale of this historic property.

  • In February, we were recognized on the Senate floor for revitalization efforts - particularly our innovation following the pandemic.

  • In March, we were on the Senate floor again as Scottsville was recognized by the Commonwealth as the Birthplace of Dollar General.

  • In April, we partnered with child protection agencies for the "We Stand for Kids" event. Our pinwheel display made the news for bringing awareness to child abuse and neglect.

  • We honored first responders, social workers, and law enforcement for their extraordinary efforts.

  • Schools and nonprofits were given free vendor space for outreach and to raise funds.

  • We purchased nearly $8,000 in food products from local farmers to donate to our community.

  • We partnered with Kentucky Proud to provide $4,000 in free merchandise to promote and expand the Farmers Market.

  • In May, we celebrated the Birthplace of Dollar General alongside government officials and members of the Turner Family.

  • We partnered with the Core of Scottsville to launch their Project 3>30 Campaign, raising funds to build a new community center.

  • We partnered with Victory Hill Dream Center to bring awareness to their addiction recovery services.

  • And we traveled the state, touring Main Street programs to learn how to expand our revitalization efforts.

  • In June, we were featured in a Team Kentucky update by Governor Beshear.

  • Our community members were awarded more 2023 Main Street Awards than any other community in the state.

  • In July, we delivered $1,000 in free school supplies and awarded two $1000 small business grants.

  • In August, we awarded a $1,000 college scholarship.

  • We were featured on KET for our Main Street revitalization efforts.

  • September's Gospel Night brought record-breaking crowds to downtown as we celebrated an important part of our community's heritage.

  • In October, we kicked things off with free pumpkin painting for all the kids.

  • We hosted our first Bluegrass Jam featuring remarkable talent from across the Commonwealth.

  • We celebrated Women in Business month by honoring female entrepreneurs with grants, flowers, and LOTS of confetti!

  • 2023's Invasion of the Scarecrows saw bigger and more creative displays than ever before!

  • In November, we started the holiday crescendo. We celebrated all things local as we neared the end of the season.

  • In December, we went all out! We wrapped the trees in twinkling lights...

  • We hosted our annual Window Display Contest...

  • We participated in the Kentucky Main Street Peppermint Trail - a statewide initiative in partnership with Kentucky Tourism...

  • We gifted $2,000 in toys to local kids through our Letters to Santa program...

  • And ended the season with our annual Christmas Under the Stars event. Local churches filled the square with music...

  • We had a Live Nativity, free train rides, fire pits and s'mores, and so much more!

  • 2023 was certainly a year to remember!

A Look Ahead

  • On the first Friday of each month (April through December), historic downtown Scottsville is transformed into a special marketplace featuring:

    • Live Entertainment

    • Free Kids Activities

    • Classic Car Show

    • Local Artisans

    • Food Vendors

    • Farmers Market

    • and MORE!

    These community gatherings provide impactful support to local entrepreneurs in a family-friendly environment.

    We are proud to be an inclusive marketplace, featuring artisans and artists from across the region.

    Our goal for the 2024 season is to increase vendor participation by 15% and crowd participation by 25%.

    We will leverage our corporate sponsorships to fund expanded scholarships, grants, and support for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, schools, and civic groups in our community.

  • Did you know Allen County is the top produce producing county in the Commonwealth?

    Our agricultural heritage funds deep!

    Every Thursday afternoon (May through October), our market features the freshest local produce, meats, eggs, and more!

    Farmers, artisans, and producers gather from across the community to showcase what they have grown, gathered, baked, and bottled.

    With the addition of live music and food trucks in 2024, we plan for these afternoon markets to be a celebration of all things local.

  • We will complete a year-long Civic Pride campaign under the leadership of Jeff Seigler (“Revitalize, or Die”) to improve residents’ relationship with their community, increase civic pride, and overcome civic apathy.

    We will kick things off with a launch event in March, so be on the lookout for details to come.

  • We will install a temporary “Dollar General Museum” exhibit in our Main Street office to attract history-focused tourism while raising funds for a permanent location.

    As a community, we have a strong heritage of entrepreneurship and innovation.

    We will celebrate this heritage by honoring one of our legendary entrepreneur stories.

  • We will develop a strategic plan to increase tourism with a focus on local history, outdoor recreation, and agricultural tourism.

    We are proud to partner with the newly formed Scottsville - Allen County Visitors Bureau.

2023 Sponsors

Nothing compares to what’s next.

Our growth in 2023 was exceptional.

We’re raising the standard even higher for 2024 and beyond. We are so grateful for your continued support!