Downtowns at the Center

Photo by Joel Cordle

Downtown is the center of a community’s economy, but it also has an essential role as the community’s social center. Thriving downtowns offer assets that promote social and cultural inspiration for their residents and bring people together for activities that stimulate personal growth and rejuvenation of the spirit.

​Consider the social, intellectual, and economic impact of people participating in special events - large or small - held at downtown venues and spaces. Public spaces and private businesses can invite residents to enjoy live performing arts, films, art exhibitions, book readings, literary arts discussions, holiday celebration events, and gathering places for enjoying food and beverages.  The list goes on.

Cultural and social activities are important to individual growth, but they are also critical to the health of the downtown district. Such options for play and personal inspiration create a vibrant hub and that’s good for business sales, because people who visit downtown nightly and weekly, also spend money in downtown stores.

Are your town’s residents enjoying these cultural and social options on a regular basis?

Hopefully, your assessment of downtown will reveal opportunities to expand and add more of these community-building assets.