Monday, 07 January 2008 00:36
Jackson Main Street Workshop Scheduled for Tuesday Evening
What to do about
revitalizing Jackson’s
historic commercial district will be the topic of a special Jackson City Council meeting scheduled
for Tuesday evening. Historic Jackson Business Association spokesperson
Toni Fancher said HJBA merchants asked the city for the workshop to start
working on a vision for historic Jackson
that would be shared by city government and merchants alike. Jackson
business owners and all other citizens are invited to attend and share their
ideas for economic development within the City of Jackson.
The roundtable discussion will include economic
development issues including tourism, infrastructure improvements and
beautification, business attraction and retention, and a retail market needs
analysis as well as how to implement any plan that may result from this and
possible future meetings. Fancher said that the City has collected $29,000 of Transient Occupancy
Tax funds that could be used in a variety of ways to help boost downtown Jackson’s economic
viability, which has suffered several blows lately with businesses and
the courthouse leaving the downtown areas. How best to use these TOT funds is
likely to be part of Tuesday night’s workshop. Though the merchants and the
city have had this type of “where to go from here” discussion more than a few
times in the past, Fancher says she’s optimistic that this time could result in
a more coordinated effort by City government and the business community to
reach the goal of a vibrant Main
Street Jackson both groups say they want. The workshop starts at 6 pm Tuesday
night at Jackson City Hall.