GREENSBORO, N.C. — Downtown Greensboro has boomed in recent years. Leaders don't plan on letting momentum stop any time soon.
Greensboro City Council allotted Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) 4 million dollars to keep it rolling.
On Thursday, we learned that the $4 million will be used over three years.
DGI leaders told WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman the main three things that money will be going toward are retaining downtown businesses, recruiting businesses that want to make Greensboro home, and continuing popular downtown events like Fun Fourth, Holiday Parades, and most recently Beach Music.
DGI's Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rob Overman, said the goal is to keep downtown flourishing.
"I want people when they have out-of-town guests, I want them to feel a lot of pride when they come downtown, I want them to show it off and I want them to be proud of it, cause we're proud of it, you know of all the growth that is taken place in it. So, it's a unique position that we play and that's never lost on us," Overman said.
Greensboro Resident Burke Edwards said he's someone who appreciates Downtown Greensboro and the progress it's made.
He said he's been to Greensboro's Beach Music Festival for 10 years now. This year he brought his father from South Carolina to show the city off.
"It's a good environment to bring people, to bring friends, to bring out-of-towners just to come and have a good time and it's a good location too. You know, when you leave here you can go downtown, get a drink, get some food, and you know, just hang out in the area," Edwards added.
Overman said one of the ways DGI retains businesses downtown, is by offering microgrants of a couple hundred dollars when local businesses have ideas they want to bring to life.
As for recruiting businesses, DGI plans to do so by cleaning up empty or run-down storefronts, so that they are more attractive to businesses who want to move here.
Triad Resident, Sean McWherter thinks that is a good idea.
"An empty building isn't doing anybody any good obviously. So, if you can fill it with you know, something that would attract more people to experience Greensboro in general. It would not only raise property values, but it would also just attract more people, you know, it's beautiful down here. So, pulling in new business and new people in the area is always a good thing." McWherter said.
Overman said part of that money will help pay DGI employees.
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