Main Street Walhalla is an economic development tool designed to help revitalize the downtown business district of Walhalla SC. By implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach, the program aims to create an economic and culturally vibrant downtown that both locals and visitors will enjoy. The mission of Main Street Walhalla is to support and enhance the continuing economic development of downtown Walhalla while protecting and promoting its historic heritage.
Some of the initiatives for this year that we are most excited about include supporting the city of Walhalla in its efforts to build a greenway around the perimeter of downtown; assisting current and new businesses by providing access to training, funding, and staff support; and continuing to make downtown a vibrant and beautiful example of a quaint, historic Main Street community by improving crosswalks, signage, and pet friendly amenities.
Main Street Walhalla also helps create economic opportunity for our downtown businesses by hosting strategic events throughout the year. Our fall Merchant Market and Craft Fair (October 15) is in its third season and is a great opportunity for visitors to not only shop from regional artists and makers, but to visit our downtown merchants and dine in our local restaurants as well. Our Promotion Committee is tasked with planning engaging events for visitors and locals that help make downtown more “sticky”, encouraging people to spend more time here shopping and dining.
Main Street Walhalla partnered with Southeast Gravel this May to host a Downtown Art Walk and Gravel Bike Race that brought approximately 6000 people to town. Events like this help us achieve our strategic goal of making Walhalla a hub for the many outdoor recreational opportunities in our area.
As Oconee County sees unprecedented growth and interest due to its proximity to incomparable natural resources, Walhalla has seen tremendous growth in interest in housing and business opportunities. As a preservation-focused organization, Main Street Walhalla looks forward to working with the city of Walhalla and community partners to plan for this growth, and to ensure the lifestyle and quirky-quaint feel of our beloved little town stays intact, while at the same time providing space and opportunity for new additions in our community.
Main Street Walhalla has benefited greatly by being part of a network of similar organizations under the Main Street South Carolina umbrella. In just two short years we have gone from a drive-through town to truly the “Main Street to the Mountains”. We have very little vacancies, have opened over 26 new businesses, and can boast a $26:1 return on public investment. Most of all, our community has fallen back in love with their hometown, as can be seen in the young families who are returning home to start a business or work in Walhalla. We are grateful for the vision of our mayor and council members who saw the importance of choosing the Main Street formula as the economic development tool for downtown. Through it we are able to effectively and sustainably plan for the growth that is in our future.
For more information or to brainstorm ways to partner with us in our mission, contact Libby Imbody, Executive Director at libby@mainstreetwalhalla.com (864) 977-0222 or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.mainstreetwalhalla.com.