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Durant Main Street

PO Box 928
110 N. Second
Durant, OK 74702

www.durantmainstreet.org

Mission and Programs

Mission

The Durant Main Street Program is a nonprofit organization which has established working coalitions between public and private sectors dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown. Durant''s efforts feature a comprehensive strategy to stimulate economic activity that includes the following four elements: Organization (marketing our organization), Design (enhancing visual quality), Promotion (marketing downtown), and Economic Restructuring (strengthening existing assets and diversifying our economic base). These Four Points were developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Our program began in June 1997 and is authorized by the Oklahoma Main Street Program which is a part of the National Main Street Center.

Programs

Durant Main Street's activities are centered around stimulating the economic activity of Downtown. To do this, we must (1) fund and market our organization; (2) enhance the visual quality of our Downtown including buildings, streetscape, and interior displays; (3) market Downtown through activities, retail promotions, and image campaigns; and (4) strengthen our businesses and assist new businesses.

We are a volunteer-based organization. Volunteers carry out our workplan with the guidance and assistance of staff. Several fundraisers are carried out to fund our organization. Durant Main Street is marketed through newsletters, Web site, and the media. The visual quality of our Downtown is enhanced by providing information, design assistance, and advice. We work with the City of Durant and community service workers to keep Downtown clean. We market our Downtown by providing fun activities for everyone. A street carnival and trick or treat create good memories of our Downtown. A $1500 Shopping Spree Giveaway encourages people to shop Downtown during the Christmas season. A Bridal Fair and Prom Style Show is a cooperative attempt to market goods and services available Downtown. Businesses are strengthened by providing programs, distributing information, hosting consultants, etc. A new business packet is given to businesses upon opening.

Additional Comments from the Organization

Durant Main Street has had a lot of success stories since June 1997. We frequently hear how much nicer Downtown looks since our program began. We implemented a group health insurance plan for our members in 2003. We are planning to complete Downtown Streetscape projects IV and V (Phase I began in 2004 with Phase III scheduled for completion in Sept. '08).We implemented a Main Street Security Network in January 1998 after a rash of burglaries. In 2003, we were recognized by the Oklahoma Main Street Program for Outstanding Program Administration and in 2002 for our website. Our promotional activities have been very successful.

Who We Are

Durant Main Street is a Downtown revitalization program that follows a comprehensive strategy (The Four Point Approach) to stimulate economic activity.

NTEE Code

Goals and Results


Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008

  1. Established membership base and successful fundraisers that can be accomplished annually in order to provide funds necessary to run Organization. Added Membership benefit of Health Insurance in 2003.
  2. Developed brochures and activities that can be continued in order to promote our Downtown as the center of the Community.
  3. Completed Phases I and II of Downtown Streetscape. Phase III should be completed September 2008. Phase IV is in application stage.

Objectives for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2008

  1. We plan to address our "lack of available buildings Downtown" (caused by high occupancy rate) by working on unrentable properties, addressing zoning and other city ordinances. By getting these properties ready for occupancy, we will be able to accommodate new businesses wishing to locate Downtown.
  2. We plan to create interest in restoring building facades Downtown. This will promote our history and architecture while improving appearance.
  3. We are planning to bring an ice skating rink to Downtown Durant during the Christmas Season. This will bring people from 60 miles and more to visit our shops and rink.

Self Assessment

Durant Main Street is evaluated in several different ways. We track volunteer hours contributed to our organization. We complete a monthly reinvestment report that shows money spent and jobs created Downtown. We keep track of our occupancy rate. We submit an annual workplan to the Oklahoma Main Street Program. They follow our progress to ensure our goals are pursued. A sales tax analysis is updated periodically to show economic trends. We have also seen an increased membership base.

Chief Executive Profile

Donna Dow, Program Manager, has been with the organization since operations began in June 1997. Ms. Dow grew up in Bryan County considering Durant "town." This gives her an additional stake in Downtown Durant.

She received a degree in Business Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1984 and a degree in Accounting from Southeastern in 1989. In 2002, she became a Certified Main Street Manager. This certification is given by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Previous experience includes working for a public accounting firm in areas of auditing, tax, bookkeeping, and community service.

Financial Data

Revenues and Expenses: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008

Revenue
Contributions $0
Government Grants $0
Program Services $0
Investments $0
Special Events $0
Sales $0
Other $0
Total Revenue $111,648
Expenses
Program Services $7,854
Administration $89,509
Other $14,726
Total Expenditures $112,089
Net Gain/Loss $0

Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008

Note: The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot long survive, but the types of assets and liabilities also must be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

  July 1, 2007 June 30, 2008 Change
Assets      
Cash & Equivalent $31,053 $30,508 ($545)
Accounts Receivable $0 $0 $0
Pledges & Grants Receivable $0 $0 $0
Receivables/Other $0 $0 $0
Inventories for Sale or Use $0 $0 $0
Investments/Securities $0 $0 $0
Investments/Other $0 $0 $0
Fixed Assets $12,424 $17,538 $5,114
Other $0 $0 $0
Total Assets $0 $54,555 $54,555
Liabilities      
Accounts Payable $0 $0 $0
Grants Payable $0 $0 $0
Deferred Revenue $0 $0 $0
Loans and Notes $0 $0 $0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities $0 $0 $0
Other $0 $0 $0
Total Liabilities $12,675 $14,658 $1,983
Fund Balance $0 $0 $0

Financial Comments from the Organization

Durant Main Street has developed fundraisers that have increased the capabilities of the organization. Mega Bull has presented the ability to take services provided to the next level. The organization has also been audited for three years in hopes of qualifying for funding through additional resources.

Basic Information