Main Street Organizations/Public Funds

I thought readers would find the following information interesting in regard to what other NC Main Street programs receive in appropriations from local government.

Of the 55 Main Street cities recently surveyed by the NC Main Street Center, 49 receive city funds. Twenty of the cities have a population of 10,000 and under. The population of the cities range from 2,000 to 59,200, with an average budget of $166,021 ranging from $13,000 - $686,790.

Fifty percent of the cities are within the City structure as a department. City staff with full city benefits operate the quasi-public/private partnerships 501c3.

Others are 501c3 nonprofits like Swiss Bear, who work in partnership with the city but are separate entities and are responsible for all operating costs and projects. They receive appropriations from the City and in many cases, from the County.

The nonprofits in cities of comparable size to New Bern that receive funding from the city’s general fund or municipal district tax fund (or both) in addition to other sources are: 

   Garner (25,745 population)        

            $75,000 General Fund (GF)

   Kinston (22,360 pop.)                  
            $105,800  GF  -   $55,000  MSD --  Total budget $394,485

   Salisbury (32,000 pop.)            
            $98,000 GF -  $133,000 MSD -- Total budget $291,700

   Shelby (21,366 pop. )             
            $33,500 GF - $120,000 MSD -- Total Budget $211,800

   Goldsboro (40,000 pop.), a Main Street city since 1984 is a quasi
   public/private partnership. City staff operates the nonprofit
   Wayne   County Downtown Development Corp. Their annual
   budget is $686,790.

   Sanford (28,094 pop.) has the same arrangement as Goldsboro, a
   quasi public/private partnership operated by City staff with a 
   budget of $458,768. 

The revitalization and on-going development of a city’s downtown creates jobs, attracts new businesses, increases the tax base, expands and creates numerous events and festivals and up-grades public infrastructure benefiting all of the residents in the City and County.

Cities fund their Main Street Programs because it is a sound investment.

Your comments are welcomed.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director