July - September 2023

The Downtown Lowdown

The Tahlequah Main Street Association is happy to present its second quarterly "Downtown Lowdown" for 2023!

This newsletter is intended to update each of you with as much information about our vibrant downtown and its events!

TMSA is Oklahoma Main Street Program of the Year

The Tahlequah Main Street Association has been named Oklahoma Main Street Center’s Program of the Year.

The award is the highest honor given by the Oklahoma Main Street Center, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, to a community that has shown outstanding efforts in revitalizing its downtown area.

The 33rd Annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet was held in Oklahoma City on May 2. TMSA was one of 15 other programs in the running for the honor of Program of the Year: Ardmore, Altus, Duncan, Enid, Greenwood District, Guymon, Kendall Whittier, Newkirk, Ponca City, Pryor, Stockyards City, Tulsa, Woodward, and Yukon.

Out of the 40-plus statewide programs, the efforts of TMSA shined the brightest this year. The TMSA program was also nominated for eight of 24 other award categories and ended up winning for Best Main Street Retail Event — Ladies Night Out — and Outstanding Image Promotion with community rebranding. Other top three finalists include: TMSA’s PocketSights walking tours for Best Main Street Community Education Campaign; OksWagen Festival for Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees; Red Fern Festival for Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees; The Foundry on Shawnee for Best Adaptive Reuse Project Over $25,000 category; The Craft Addict for Outstanding Entrepreneurial Endeavor; and Rafa’s Burrito Company for Best New Business.

TMSA has been actively working to revitalize downtown Tahlequah since 1997. The organization has been successful in implementing several projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the area’s economic vitality, promoting its unique historic character, and creating a vibrant sense of community.

The Oklahoma Main Street Program of the Year award recognizes the organization’s commitment to the Main Street Four-Point Approach, which includes design, economic vitality, promotion, and organization. Tahlequah Main Street Association has demonstrated excellence in all these areas, making it a deserving recipient of the award.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the Oklahoma Main Street Center,” said Tahlequah Main Street Association Executive Director Jamie Hale. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, board members, merchants and community partners who have made our collaborative efforts possible. It inspires us to continue working towards creating a vibrant and thriving downtown Tahlequah.”

For more information about TMSA and its programs, visit their website at www.tahlequahmainstreet.com.

Google Provides Free Digital Skills Training to Small Businesses in Oklahoma

Friday, June 9th Google and Tahlequah Main Street announced a new Grow with Google Digital Coach for small businesses at a free digital skills workshop in Tahlequah. The workshop is a part of a new partnership between Grow with Google’s Digital Coaches program, Main Street America , and Tahlequah Main Street to provide small businesses in small towns with digital skills training.

“Having an online presence certainly helps even the playing field in this global economy and it’s the one area that many of our smaller businesses struggle with the most,” said Buffy Hughes, Oklahoma Main Street Center director. “Equipping them with the resources and knowledge to better leverage themselves will help even the smallest of communities in Oklahoma. We are excited about this opportunity to Grow with Google.”

According to the Connected Commerce Council, nearly 80% of small business leaders say that adopting digital tools during the last two years created new opportunities for their business. To help more small businesses in Oklahoma’s small towns learn digital tools, Jarrod Foster who resides in the area will serve as the newest Grow with Google Digital Coach in the state. Foster has spent several years helping businesses build strategic plans and partnerships to advance their goals . Led by Jarrod Foster, today’ s workshop “Reach More Customers Online with Google ” focused on helping businesses learn new tools to grow online.

“Google is committed to creating economic opportunities for small businesses in Oklahoma,” said Lucy Pinto, Senior Manager of the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program . “We are proud to partner with Tahlequah Main street to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs in Oklahoma grow their online presence, reach new customers, and unlock additional sources of revenue.”

“We are thrilled to work alongside Tahlequah Main Street and the Grow with Google team to bring free digital skills training to small business owners in Oklahoma,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO at Main Street America. “Led by local expert, Jarrod Foster, these trainings will equip business owners with the skills they’ll need to thrive in an increasingly digitally based economy. On both a local and national level, we believe supporting local entrepreneurs is essential to creating more vibrant neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and Main Streets. In Tahlequah and beyond, this partnership is instrumental in helping us continue to work towards this goal.”

Since 2017, the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program has trained more than 160,000 small businesses. Grow with Google Digital Coaches are local marketing experts and entrepreneurs who help diverse small businesses grow. The coaches provide digital skills training, hands-on coaching, and opportunities to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs.

To learn more and sign-up for an upcoming local workshop, please visit: g.co/grow/digitalcoach-jarrod-ok.

Read more here!

Fun Fact!

You do not have to be a board member to be on a committee! Volunteer anytime!

Visit this link for more information!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABOUT TMSA

SHOP TMSA

WHO WE ARE

Tahlequah Main Street Association, Inc. (TMSA) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization that is a member of the National Main Street center and part of the Main Street America network. The amazing individuals who make up TMSA are passionate advocates, dedicated volunteers, influential stakeholders, and community organizers who work every day to turn the tide in their communities—catalyzing reinvestment, creating jobs, and fostering pride of place.

MISSION STATEMENT

Enhancing the Downtown Tahlequah experience and culture for residents and visitors alike by actively promoting, engaging, and fostering relationships with our community and partners.

PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

The purpose of Tahlequah Main Street Association, Incorporated is to foster, promote, maintain, and encourage the civic, social, commercial, tourist, and economic welfare of our city. Main Street contributes to the entire community by preserving the quality of life and aesthetic values that make Tahlequah unique.

Dear Community Partner,

On behalf of The Tahlequah Main Street Association, I would like to invite you to join us in the pursuit of Revitalization.

First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our organization. Tahlequah Main Street Association, Inc. (TMSA) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization that is a member of the National Main Street Center and part of the Main Street America network. The amazing individuals who make up TMSA are passionate advocates, dedicated volunteers, influential stakeholders, and community organizers who work every day to turn the tide in their community—catalyzing reinvestment, creating jobs, and fostering pride of place.

Main Street contributes to the entire community by preserving the quality of life and aesthetic values that make Tahlequah unique.

As a partner of TMSA, you have the opportunity to be involved in the aid and revitalization of your community. Revitalization creates lasting improvements that ensure long-term success for the heart of our community. This resurgence is only possible with the participation of our dedicated volunteers, members , and partners who cooperatively work toward an improved, cohesive downtown of which all citizens will be proud of.

I thank you for your consideration in becoming a Tahlequah Main Street Partner and joining us in the pursuit of Revitalization.

WE NEED YOU AS A PARTNER

JOIN HERE!

Tahlequah Main Street Association is thankful for our new 2023 Partners. To learn more about how you can become a partner, please visit http://www.tahlequahma instreet.com/become-a-partner.html

2023 Premier Partners

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Tahlequah Main Street Association| 918-931-1699

manager@tahlequahmainstreet.com

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