Nonprofit given extra $10K for maintenance job
ALTUS — Main Street Altus was awarded an extra $10,000 as part of its annual agreement with the city to promote the downtown area and its events.
The funding increase will be used for a part-time maintenance employee whose job is to keep the downtown area clean and tidy, Main Street Altus Director Lynna Wilmes said.
The total grant from the city for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is $60,000, according to the new agreement which takes effect July 1. The pact was approved by the council at its meeting earlier this month.
“I think it’s great to have such an outstanding partnership with the city,” Wilmes said. “It’s standard for the city to be a supporter of your program.”
Main Street Altus has been operating for the past 31 years and is considered by Wilmes to be one of the stronger Main Street programs in Oklahoma. In 2021, six Main Street businesses won awards in the annual Main Street Oklahoma competition.
Altus Mayor Robert Garrison labeled the Main Street program an integral part of the many downtown events that occur in the city each year.
“They plan them and put them on, including Rock-n-Rumble (Car Show and Cruise) and Walkin’ On Chalk,” he said. “They do many things downtown that it’s a good investment for Altus. The director does a great job and we’re lucky to have her (Wilmes).”
The Rock-n-Rumble event brings in more money to the city than the city gives to Main Street Altus each year.
“It (Rock-n-Rumble) brings in so many people and they spend their money here,” the mayor said.
An estimated 10,000 people attend the event each year.
Garrison praised Wilmes and Main Street volunteers for working around downtown construction areas so annual events can continue. The Jackson County Courthouse and the Altus downtown park are undergoing renovations. The downtown park work, which is part of the city’s MAPS projects, should last nine to 18 months.
“They (Main Street) is able to move things around and still hold the events,” the mayor said.
In her funding request letter to city officials, Wilmes wrote, “We take great pride in our efforts to attract people into the area with events such as the very popular and highly anticipated Rock N Rumble, Farm Fest Chili Cook-Off and Walkin’ on Chalk to name a few. Our Board is working diligently to develop a new event to replace the Candy Cane Cash event that the City supported for so many years. We have embarked on a beautification effort to include members of the community to increase the level of pride and ownership.”
Wilmes wrote to the council that the $60,000 payment to Main Street Altus would be used for her full-time position, liability insurance, promotion of events and continued beautification to the historic downtown area.
The funds will be made in equal quarterly payments in July, October, January and April. The agreement also requires Main Street Altus to submit a detailed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and quarterly activity reports to the council.