Latest / Be Locally Loved / 025 - Raising the Bar: Building a Downtown That Keeps Evolving with Kim

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025 - Raising the Bar: Building a Downtown That Keeps Evolving with Kim · Be Locally Loved

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to a Be Locally Loved mini episode where we bring you practical advice and big ideas from our full-length conversations in just a few minutes.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Let's do this.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_01: It's really a big round table type of forum where you have a lot of city staff members as well as community partners and the chamber, the downtown Georgetown Association, and everybody has that opportunity to share what's going on so that everyone can leave there feeling really informed and know how to get better connected.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: Is that monthly or bi-monthly?
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: It's quarterly.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: Quarterly.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: That's definitely something the business owners should have on their radar.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: I would love for you to speak to the award that you guys just won from the Texas Downtown Association.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: So this is one that I'm really proud of.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_01: And I can see your Texas Downtown Award background.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_01: So that's really cool.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_01: We were the inaugural recipient of Best Downtown in Texas.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_01: And that was so special to get that.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_01: It really is just kind of one of those things where I mentioned we had this Main Street, Great American Main Street Award back in 1997, but we didn't stop there.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_01: We didn't say, We got that award.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_01: We're done now.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_01: We kept going.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_01: And I think that getting this recognition now just shows that communities have to keep evolving, keep doing.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_01: You can't just say you're done.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_01: Like this type of work is never done.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_01: And so having that recognition from the state, from peers across the network, across other communities was just really validating that the work that we're doing here in Georgetown is, you know, a bit above the bar that most uh communities have set.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_01: And we're just continuing to try and keep raising the bar for ourselves and doing more and more.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_01: So it was really, really great to receive that recognition.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_01: Our entire team was there because we've all spent a lot of time in investment in this downtown effort.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_01: And then we, of course, had council and city managers there with us as well.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_01: And then we brought the award back to Georgetown to be able to showcase at a city council meeting so that the public could also enjoy in that celebration.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_01: So it was really exciting.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_01: And then our friends at the Brass Peacock also won an award that night.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_01: So kudos to them as well.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_01: And then I know that you've won an award with that organization.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_01: We've had many businesses be recognized here in Georgetown.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_01: So I think it just speaks to the quality of our community, the quality of our businesses that we keep getting this recognition on a statewide level.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Help people understand what a big deal that is.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: What is the Texas Downtown Association?
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: What is their mission?
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: And what does it mean when someone wins an award from them?
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_01: Sure.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_01: So the Texas Downtown Association is kind of the sister organization to Main Street.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_01: And we were both founded by Annis Reed, who was just this downtown dynamo of a woman.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_01: And when she created the program here in Texas for Main Street, she knew that at some point they were going to need some help to reach downtowns that weren't necessarily able to be accepted into the Main Street program or that maybe needed even more assistance.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_01: So that's where Texas Downtown was created to kind of help fill that gap and also be an advocacy arm for preservation, for downtown revitalization, for economic vitality for downtowns.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_01: So Texas Downtown was created in 1985, and they have just celebrated their 40th year in being a nonprofit.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_01: And it's an organization that I've been part of since I came into the Main Street world.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_01: It is separate from Main Street, but it works so collaboratively with that.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_01: And having the opportunity to be around other downtown professionals across the state and learn tips and tricks from one another is really great.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_01: And so having this award program, this president's award program, it's really the only one that we have in the state to recognize the type of work that we're doing locally with our businesses, with improvement projects, all of the different categories.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_01: And so when we put forth that effort to apply for the grants and go through this competitive process, when you win, it feels so good because you you put in a lot of work.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: It's not a layup, is it?
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: No.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: No.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_00: It is hard earned.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's hard-earned and quite prestigious, I understand.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: So let's name who we know that's one.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_00: We know Musquete Creek Outfitters has won, City Post has won, Breast Peacock just won.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: I think local Georgetown won, the City of Georgetown won.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Who else has won that award?
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so um KPA Engineers and Cubby Landscape and Pillar and Associates have all won the same category that you were in, the best downtown partner.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_01: And then we've also had awards for the Golden Rule 600 Degrees Pizza, All Things Kids, and I'm sure there's others.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, the Swirl has won an award back when it first started.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_01: It's been a while, but that's another space.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_01: And then we're planning to submit the Light and Waterworks District for an award for this year.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_01: So just a little preview of what we're working on.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Right.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Very, very exciting.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_00: Well, Kim, this has been a delightful conversation.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: Let them let them know how they can connect with you.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: You said the City of Georgetown website, City of Georgetown social media.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Anything else that they need to know about?
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_01: I would just connect with you.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_01: Sure.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_01: I would just encourage them to visit our websites, whether it's the City of Georgetown or even Visit Georgetown.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_01: You can find my contact information on either part of the website.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_01: And we also have all of our social media.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_01: We have Visit Georgetown as well as the city of Georgetown.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_01: So follow us there.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_01: We have newsletters and things that go out very regularly.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_01: So again, getting engaged, getting involved.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_01: If you want to volunteer for Main Street, please reach out.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_01: We would love to be able to work with you.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_01: There's lots of opportunities, especially with our events, to get involved and have some fun.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of this town runs on volunteer.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: And it's a great way to make lifelong friends as well.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_01: I have some really amazing friends that I've gained over the years here in Georgetown, across the state.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_01: And so it's just, it's one of those things that you you keep building that that family.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_01: And it just, you know, it's an ever, it's a circle that's ever expanding.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_01: And I think Georgetown is the epitome of that because there's always somebody that wants to get to know you and get involved and just kind of, you know, get more into the Georgetown family.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: Well, I'm going to reach out to all of those Texas Downtown Award winners and see if they'll come on the show and tell us the magic that they brought to their business to earn that prestigious award.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: So that's exciting.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_01: We're going to actually be hosting the Texas Downtown Association in Georgetown May 7th and 8th as part of a regional roundtable.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_01: And so we're going to be doing a walking tour with that group to show them those award-winning businesses that are in downtown.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_01: So love to chat with you some more offline about that.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_00: I would love to talk about that.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Well, it Kim, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners before we wrap?
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: First of all, thank you for everything that you do for our community.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: You're truly exceptional.
• 8:03
  SPEAKER_00: And thank you for taking the time to share with us today on the podcast.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_01: Well, thank you so much, Laura.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_01: It means a lot that you reached out.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_01: I was happy to be able to talk with you.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you for what you're doing for the community.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_01: I think Be Local is just an amazing way to connect people, give them great information about Georgetown.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_01: So thank you and thank your team for everything that y'all are doing.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_00: It is our pleasure, a labor of love as well.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_00: All right.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Kim.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: All right, everybody, we'll see you next time.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us on Be Locally Loved.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who believes in the power of being locally loved.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, keep showing up, serving others well, and building the kind of trust and connection that makes communities stronger.