Special to IFN

The Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) held its annual meeting on Wednesday at the Statesville Civic Center.

New Officers & Board members

The following officers were approved for 2024-2025: Doug Hendrix as chairman, Jennifer Grant of Stantec Consulting as secretary, Joshua Speer of Norris, Stewart & Ralston as treasurer, and Trey Robertson of Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing LLC as the chairman-elect.

Three new Board members were elected to three-year terms. They included Amy Sullivan of Amy Sullivan Fine Art, Hannah Scott of Mitchell Community College, and Tanisha Schoolfield of Creations by TYS. The Board also approved a second term for existing members Donald Hicks Jr. of Statesville Housing Authority and Jennifer Grant of Stantec Consulting.

Hendrix presided over the meeting, which highlighted and recognized achievements of the previous year.

Guest Speaker

Liz Parham, director of the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center for the N.C. Department of Commerce, addressed the membership, discussing the ways that the Main Street program can help members like the DSDC.

Statesville joined the Main Street program in 1982, and is one of 72 member cities and towns.

A total of $134.8 million has been invested in Downtown Statesville since 1984, Parham said, calling the streetscape a “phenomenal” asset.

“If you don’t know it, you’ve got one of the best ones in the state — by far,” she said.

Parham encouraged the DSDC to focus its efforts on recruiting small-scale manufacturing to the downtown area and also applauded the group for promoting residential development in the district.

“Whatever you’re doing in residential development, triple it,” she suggested. “That’s where the growth is.”

New Businesses

Seventeen new businesses were recognized for their investment and contribution to the economic vitality of Downtown Statesville. The new businesses from the past year are as follows:

♦ Apex Outdoor Sports, LLC – 236 W. Broad Street (Tammy Wyatt)
♦ Bee & Barrel – 212 S. Center Street, Suite 102 (Trey Robertson and Chris Overcash)
♦ Cabañas Restaurant – 216 W. Broad Street
♦ Calm Manor – 113 S. Center Street, Suite 103 (Traci Whitley)
♦ Caudle Coin & Currency – 125 E. Front Street (Douglas Caudle)
♦ Krazy Ice – 239 E. Front Street (Sharon Skinner)
♦ Lakeside Wellness Solutions – 113 S. Center Street, Suite 103 (Cassandra Santus)
♦ Native Ceuticals Apothecary – 118A W. Broad Street (Daniella & Steve Brown)
♦ Sabores Latin Cuisine – 226 W. Broad Street
♦ Simply Caring – 117 N. Center Street
♦ The Gondolier – 212 S. Center St., Suite 101 (Gene Konczal)
♦ The Mercantile on Broad – 108 W. Broad Street (Tori Sexton)
♦ The Quarter – 125 Landmark Alley, Suite 101 (Jason Cole & Andrea Chadwick)
♦ The Wallace on Broad – 230 W. Broad Street (Jordan Young)
♦ Tru Nutrition – 223 N. Center Street (Sarah Guerrero)
♦ Vault Provisions – 210 S. Center Street (Travis & Kathleen Scott)
♦ Ziggy’s Closeout – 215 W. Front Street

About Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC)

Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization charged with administering the Main Street program for Statesville and whose mission is to champion, promote and lead Downtown Statesville as the economic, social and cultural engine in the region. This is achieved in collaboration with public-private partners working together to enhance the appearance, desirability and vitality of downtown. Visit www.downtownstatesville.com for details.