March 11, 2015

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Summer Woodard at 828-524-2516, Ext. 305

Franklin Main Street Program to go Inactive: Town Steps In to Run Festivals

(Franklin, NC) The Board of Directors of the Franklin Main Street Program voted Wednesday (March
11) to place the program on inactive status. The Franklin Main Street Program Board of Directors
include Christine Basey, Judy Chapman, Joyce Handley, Ken Murphy and Sissy Pattillo.
At this point, I feel it would be the right time for the Board to step back and assess how it wants to
proceed, said Sissy Pattillo. I have been involved with the Franklin Main Street Program since it
became active again. If you look where we were and where we are now, we have made great strides.
Many projects have been accomplished and the master plan for our town is a great example. Phase one
has been completed and phase two is underway.
While this program has done many good things, it has become apparent that we need to take a breather
and regroup, said Ken Murphy, FMSP Board Member. It is the expectation of the remaining board
members that the Main Street Program be revisited in the future and become active again.
The FMSP Board also expressed great concern over the fate of Franklins downtown festivals and the
impact on the towns merchants and restaurants.
Summer Woodard, Town of Franklin Manager, stated that the town would be willing to accept the
responsibility of hosting the four standing events; July 4th, Pumpkin Fest, Veterans Day and Winter
Wonderland.
In fact, at tonights meeting I was going to share with the Main Street Board plans to expand the July
4th Celebration to help our businesses make up for lost revenue from postponed events this year, said
Woodard.
In September of 2014 the town contracted with Tony Angel to serve as a consultant to the Main Street
Program. From the beginning of our discussions, Mr. Angels advice was to have a backup plan for a
worst case scenario such as this, Woodard continued. I want to personally assure the towns many
merchants and restaurants that the Town of Franklin will see that these events take place and that they
continue to grow.
The FMSP Board voted unanimously to return to the town the remaining festival and event funds.

The Town of Franklin realizes that festivals are a vital part of the economy in downtown, Woodard
said. Please know the town will do everything we can to continue the tradition of quality, familyoriented events.
Summer and Tony have worked tirelessly to make this program successful, said Mayor Bob Scott.
The town realizes the importance of the Main Street Program but also understands and respects the
Main Street Boards decision.
It is the hope of the Town that the Main Street Program will become active again. Until then, the
Town will do everything within its power to assist in bringing more business to Franklin and to ensure
our economy remains vital, Scott said.
Since its beginning in 2005, the Franklin Main Street Program has accomplished many projects, said
Alderman Joyce Handley, Town Liaison to the FMSP Board. With all things there comes a time to take
a time-out and re-group.
The next step in the process will be to forward a letter of the Franklin Main Street Programs intent to
Liz Parham, State Director of the Department of Urban Development which oversees the Main Street
Programs throughout the state.
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