Port Gibson Main Street, Inc.

About The Program

Port Gibson Main Street, Inc., is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation formed in 1990 to assist in the revitalization of Port Gibson's downtown business and residential district. It is primarily a volunteer-based organization with a diverse 21-member board of directors representing a broad cross-section of the community. We utilize a large contingent of volunteers to help plan and execute our projects and events. Since our inception, we have provided encouragement, advice and design assistance to both private and public property owners in an effort to improve the appearance and appeal of the Main Street District and encourage new businesses to locate in this area. We have worked with Claiborne County and the City of Port Gibson in the design phase of the following major projects in the downtown area:

County Projects:

• Renovation of 604 Market Street as the new home of the Harriette Person Memorial Library
• Construction of the William "Matt" Ross Administration Building

City Projects:

• Development of the parking facility at the southeast corner of Farmer and Walnut Streets
• Development of Lightfoot Park
• New sidewalks, gutters and street lighting along Orange Street (between Church Street and the Claiborne County Courthouse) and Market Street (between the Courthouse and Walnut Street)

In addition, Port Gibson Main Street has purchased and installed landscaping, benches and trash receptacles in the downtown area, and provided matching facade grants to business owners who make improvements to the building facade of their businesses.

As part of our revitalization efforts, Port Gibson Main Street also promotes the downtown area by sponsoring a number of successful annual events which include the following:

• Port Gibson Heritage Festival
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Downtown Trick or Treat Party
• Annual Christmas Parade
• Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling Program

Both Claiborne County and the City of Port Gibson played a significant role in supporting the formation of the Port Gibson Main Street Program. Since our inception, the City of Port Gibson has provided significant annual financial support to Main Street by paying the salary, providing office space and secretarial support, and travel reimbursement for the Program Manager who is the only paid staff of Port Gibson Main Street. Additionally, the City provides significant in-kind services/assistance with projects and special events. In 2006, the City and the County assisted us with the development of a greenspace park and a landscaping project in the central business district. Based on an agreement between Main Street and the County Port Commission, Main Street will manage and assist with the marketing of a new multi-dealer antiques market starting.