2021 Year in Review
Main Street Ravenna is happy to report that we have achieved some major achievements this year, including National Accreditation, acquiring multiple impact grants and the completion of the Downtown District Plan. Despite the impacts of the Covid Pandemic, we are proud of accomplishing steps in our mission “to create a place where businesses thrive, and people create memories together”.
The monetary value that Main Street Ravenna has contributed to Ravenna in the last two years is approximately $200,000 dollars. The impact it has made towards the businesses, community, historic preservation, and economic development is invaluable.
Our 2020-2021 contributions towards revitalization are as follows:
● $109,440 Grant to revitalize Riddle Block 9- a historic cornerstone building.
● Facilitated a $50,000 Downtown District Plan endorsed by Ravenna City Council which provides a conceptual blueprint for downtown improvements.
● $18,909 OSMP Façade Grant for 3 to 5 buildings along Main Street.
● $5,000 Mural Grant for use on downtown buildings.
● Rapid Response Fund $2,000 in PPE assistance for local businesses during the height of the Pandemic.
● Art on Main Event- Estimated 2,500 visitors and 38 booths promoting culture & art
● Grand opening of The Main Street Mile- which promotes Business, History & Health.
● The Fourth Annual Winter Writing Festival- becoming an institution in Ravenna which draws visitors to downtown businesses.
● $25 ‘Nosh’ card for discounts at local businesses and restaurants, supporting business during the
Pandemic.
● $1,500 Reverse Raffle that raised approximately $4,500 in profits.
● Movies On the Square in partnership with the Ravenna Recreation Department: Free family friendly movies on the courthouse lawn.
● Dining Downtown Covid Style
● Ravenna Five Spot Program
● Ravenna Civic Tours in Partnership with Kevin Gray/Ravenna Historical Society
● Plein Aire Event
● Business Assist Survey
● Clean Sweep Spring Clean Day in Downtown Sidewalks and flower beds.
As you see, our passion and efforts to revitalize the community continue, even as we struggle to meet our yearly financial goals for operation. Our amazing group of volunteer board members and community members strive to create new ideas and goals to create a destination city that we can all be proud of.
Effects of the Pandemic:
Each year we map out our budget (currently $80,000 annually), funded through our annual fundraising events and donations, however the pandemic impacted our ability to host many of our community fundraisers and events, which has in turn, negatively impacted our operating funds. Nevertheless, we maintained our efforts to assist businesses and propel the community forward. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of the community to help us revitalize downtown Main Street for the betterment and enjoyment of the community. We had to rely on our past fundraising dollars to continue to provide support and assistance to our downtown businesses. The grants we were able to secure went a long way in helping businesses but could not be used to support our operations budget. Donations to Main Street Ravenna can be made through our webpage or by mailing them to: Main Street Ravenna, P.O. Box 444, Ravenna, Ohio 44266. For electronic transfers, direct your contribution to: Portage Community Bank c/o Maria Hydell/Treasurer, Main Street Ravenna. She can be contacted at 330-296-8090. Your contributions may be tax deductible. We thank you in advance for your support.
The Pandemic also gave us time to reflect on our past efforts and determine our overall strategies for the upcoming year. We have developed our strategic plan and will be taking some time in early 2022 to further develop those strategies. We have elected our new 2022 Executive Board and are in the process of hiring a new Executive Director and recruiting new board members as we say goodbye to board members whose terms have ended. Many thanks go out to Michael Tontimonia, Brian Hare, Bradley Crislip, and Melinda Gould who have served and provided their time, wisdom and financial support to help our organization grow. We want to welcome our newest board member, Gwen Rosenburg, Owner of Popped in downtown Ravenna. We look forward to Gwen’s assistance and expertise in growing Main Street Ravenna. Information about our board may be accessed on our Main Street Ravenna webpage.
Our various committees are comprised of board members and members of the community. Each committee has responsibilities related to the operations of Main Street Ravenna and work both independently and collaboratively to further our mission. All members of the board and committees are volunteers. Information about these committees is available on our webpage. If you would be interested in joining one of our committees or wish to apply to be a board member, you can find the necessary information and applications on the webpage.
Please explore our webpage at www.mainstreetravenna.org or stop in at our office in beautiful historic Downtown Ravenna at 267 W. Main Street, Ravenna, Ohio.
