Main Street Orion is sponsoring an activity called “Main Street Member Madness” beginning Monday, March 14, to help area residents learn about local businesses, General Manager Krystin White told members of the board of directors of the village of Orion on Monday, March 7.
All Main Street Orion Trade Members have been assigned to three mounts, which are printed on sheet available at Charged, The O Kitchen and Tap, Belly Up, Enchanted Florist, and Orion True Value.
Additionally, materials can be printed and entry fees paid at https://www.mainstreetorion.com/2022-events. Entry fees can also be paid to @mainstreetorion via venmo.
The Main Street bracket is much easier to fill than the NCAA men’s basketball bracket. The entry form simply asks participants to guess which companies will win a raffle. The first round of eight coin tosses in each of the three brackets will take place on Wednesday, March 16.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will take place later in the week, with match winners and standings posted on the Main Street Orion Facebook page. The winner will be announced on Sunday March 20.
The winning company will receive half the entry fee, a trophy and bragging rights.
Media must be returned by Monday, March 14 to Charged, The O Kitchen and Tap, Belly Up, Enchanted Florist and Orion True Value. Or people can take a photo of the completed bracket and email it to [email protected]
Village President Jim Cooper welcomed White to the council meeting.
“The last two directors, I’ve been less than happy with some of the things that have been done and some things that have not been done,” Cooper told the board.
White has ideas that move the organization in the right direction, he said.
When Main Street Orion was organized, it replaced the Orion Chamber of Commerce. Main Street was meant to focus on economic development as well as community events.
“I want to act more like a chamber of commerce, plus all the fun stuff,” White said of the new ideas she’s developing with Main Street Orion.
Its guiding principle is, “You come to Orion for one thing, you go for two.
For example, when people come to the Village for Main Street Saturdays with Santa, they’ll find Charged offers a fun drink and Enchanted Florist and Parkside Treasure House hold open houses, White told the board. .
The principle also applies to school and community events, she said. The Bob Mitton Orion Invitational Tournament brings many wrestling fans to town. Main Street would let businesses know this was happening and help them prepare flyers to take to Orion High School during the tournament. The O Kitchen and Tap may have a flyer offering fans a basket of $5 burgers.
She wants to have a member calendar with ads for companies driving people to their websites.
Additionally, White wants to create a community job site, which is a common feature of chamber of commerce websites. Businesses could post job applications on the board.
Main Street Member Madness is the first in a series of monthly business outreach activities to the community, White said.
She wants Main Street to partner with other organizations, including Orion Fall Festival, to support the economic vitality of the community.
A new member of the Orion Fall Festival Committee, White said it was in Main Street Orion’s interest to help the Fall Festival run smoothly.
Main Street can also help Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, who can decorate for the daddy-daughter dance, White said.
In addition to presenting his ideas for Main Street, White was at the meeting to ask the board to include $6,000 for the organization in its 2022-23 budget, with the option to ask for more if warranted.
She said the money will help cover the cost of events, including advertising, insurance and office supplies.
Administrator Bob Mitton said he was one of the biggest naysayers in recent years when it came to Main Street Orion, but he was very impressed with White’s presentation.
“Krystin brings new energy and a new spirit,” Cooper said. She also has a degree in graphic arts which she used to create the logo for the 50th Orion Fall Festival.
Cooper said he was taking her to the next Henry County economic development meeting.
“I’m thrilled with what she brings to the table,” the village president said.
Administrator Mel Drucker asked if she would work with real estate agents to find buyers for the three properties on Fourth Street with For Sale signs in front of them.
White said yes, she would contact real estate agents about Main Street fronting grants and the cooperative interest buyout program.
“Realtors are my first stop,” she said.
The council did not vote Monday on Main Street’s $6,000 demand. It will be considered as the village develops its budget by the end of April, Cooper said.
