Main Street Demopolis offers unique program for economic development; looks for local support

Over the years Demopolis embraced several plans to revitalize downtown, drive economic development and otherwise spur growth to the rural community.

Those plans, for the most part, have languished, with little results.

Now a new opportunity is here, and this one, according to organizers, is remarkably different. It is a plan with a proven track record that can be seen in several smaller Alabama cities that have tried it.

Main Street Demopolis is different, said Rhae Randall Darsey who is spearheading the effort. “They’re not giving us anything. They’re teaching us.”

Main Street Alabama is part of a nation-wide, federally sponsored nonprofit organization that follows a 40-year-old model for community revitalization with proven nationwide success. Darsey said the community planners work with existing organizations to stimulate growth in the city.

The program stresses public-private partnerships, community engagement and strategies to create jobs, spark investment and attract visitors.

“It’s been tested, and it works,” she said. “These people are the best trained community planners in the nation.”

Headquartered in Birmingham, Main Street Alabama accepts three or four cities each year with which to work. It is a very competitive program, with an expected 50 cities applying this year, said Darsey. The deadline for the application to be sent it May 9, and Darsey will make her oral presentation to the organization May 25.

Many individuals, businesses and city leaders already have stepped up to support the efforts, but Darsey is looking for more.

“We need everybody’s help; we need everybody’s cooperation,” she said.

She is encouraging everyone to send a letter supporting the application. The letter can be emailed to her at mainstreetdemopolis@gmail.com. She will pick up a letter if called at 601-917-8661. The letter also can be mailed directly to Main Street Alabama, 880 Montclair Road, Suite 245, Birmingham, AL 35213.

She is also looking for photos of the city and its activities, “the good, bad and ugly of Demopolis,” she said.

Demopolis already is on Main Street’s radar, she said. Several years ago, the director of Main Street Alabama, Mary Helmer, visited the city, spoke to an interested group and was impressed with how Demopolis has in place many of the factors needed for success. At that time, however, another program was being tried.

What Demopolis will be required to do is buy into the program with $7,500. That doesn’t begin to cover the benefits the city will receive from the professionals that will visit and work with businesses, industries and leaders in the city to further the interests of the city, Darsey said.

Main Street Demopolis also must have $60,000 in the bank to cover expenses, including the salary of a director. So far, said Darsey, the account has about $30,000 in small donations from very generous people.

Darsey likes to point out the successes of the program in other Alabama cities, particularly Jasper. Since the town took part in Main Street Alabama, 21 businesses have opened or relocated there, adding 103 jobs. Downtown Jasper went from 30 percent to 90 percent occupancy. Even small Marion saw six new businesses and 12 more jobs, she said.

If Demopolis is selected, news crews will descend on the city for the announcement. The Main Street advisors will start with walk-arounds to see what needs to be highlighted. Darsey said they are always available for support and advice and will come to Demopolis on an as-needed basis.

So far as economic development goes, Darsey said it is necessary for all the organizations in the city working to expand business growth to get together. “It’s really hard, but it has to happen.”

She considers one of Demopolis’ weaknesses is that so many organizations are out there, but they don’t communicate with each other or even know that they can help each other.

The Main Street program requires a lot of reporting to monitor the successes and give advice on how to overcome problems. As director, she will need to visit businesses daily to find out their needs and concerns and otherwise “have something firm about what everyone wants to do.”

Darsey, a Demopolis High graduate, earned her law degree and practiced for 10 years in Meridian, Miss. Her husband transferred to Michigan for a job, but then COVID hit. They moved back to Demopolis with their two sons, and he works remotely.

She began looking into becoming a grant writer, especially in restoration of the downtown. It was while she was researching those grant applications that she said being a member of Main Street was often a requirement. Not familiar with the program, she started researching it.

“I immediately saw what a commitment that would be.”

To help prepare for applying to Main Street, she had to show community involvement. That led to her starting the Demopolis Farmers Market last year. “It was a hit,” she said. “It just made me so proud of Demopolis.”

The Farmers Market grew from week to week, drawing not only residents, but those living at the marina and campers at Foscue Park.

Main Street Demopolis has headquarters in an office above the Marengo County History and Archives Museum, but the office needs a lot of work to make it functional. That’s where volunteer physical labor could be used, Darsey said.

She also is looking for people to step up and serve on various committees, including the four points that are the focus of Main Street: organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.

“It’s really hard, but it has to happen,” said Darsey. “We’re a lot closer than it looks.”