GALION — Destination Galion brought in a couple of neighbors Thursday night to discuss business development in the community.
Jennifer Kime and Jamie Thompson shared their Downtown Mansfield experiences with Galion citizens, business owners and mayor Tom O’Leary during a meeting at the Gill House. Downtown Mansfield is the heart of the community and the centerpiece of a long-term development strategy, Kime noted.
“The first phase was getting to know the folks and asking them how DMI can help,” Kime said. “Asking the questions and listening, a lot of listening. Some of the conversations with the business owners were uncomfortable and you have to be OK with that.”
Thompson said they called some business owners and asked them to either fix their deteriorating property or sell it.
In 2008-2009, DMI took over some events slated for downtown that appeared vulnerable — no matter how big or small. The group also took a step back to look at paid advertising and marketing.
One of the business success stories is the First Friday’s and Last Friday’s, events geared toward highlighting downtown businesses in a festival atmosphere. It started with smaller concerts and continued to grow. Today it has evolved into a stage downtown.
Marty Cecil, president of the Galion Depot Inc., stated there will be a significant stage built on the grounds of the depot, funded by the Ohio Cultural Facilities Grant.
Kime noted that DMI has also completed a retail market analysis.
“You have to identify your five biggest problems and work off of that,” Kime said.
