Revitalization is a slow process. At times it seems that nothing is happening. We all feel that frustration from time to time. However, the work is on-going even when it is not physically obvious. There are many aspects to revitalization, the most common being the obvious physical improvements of our built environment, but there are also the behind-the-scenes activities that play key roles in creating the bigger picture of progress that tend to go unnoticed because it is not the sexy stuff even though these things are also critical tools for successful revitalization.
The FY 2023-24 NC Main Street Statistics Report for the Kinston Municipal Service District indicates that downtown Kinston continues its upward trajectory. Here are some facts that support this.
Facade Improvements Completed: 6
Building Rehabilitations Completed: 8
Public Improvements Completed: 2
New Construction: 0
Jobs Created: Approximately 58
Full-time Jobs Lost: Approximately 11
Net full-time jobs change: Approximately 47
Part-time Jobs Created: Approximately 56
Part-time Jobst Lost: Approximately 8
Net part-time jobs change: Approximately 4
Businesses Opened: 32
Businesses Closed: 6
Net Change: 26
Expanded Businesses: 2
Public Investment: $84,200
Private Investment: $2,009,000+
Total Investment: $2,093,200+
Volunteer Hours: 1,777+
Value of hours: $53,076+
Housing Units: 73
Commercial Spaces: 230
Vacant Spaces: 30
Total Square Feet of Commercial Space: +/-1,480,300
Annual Rental Rate/sf: annualized average $5, (local realtor data)
In 2020, downtown Kinston experienced a positive shift of more businesses opening as opposed to closing. This upward trajectory has increased each year. A shift in building sales has also occurred with over 40 buildings selling in 6.5 years most of them in various stages of redevelopment.
Demand for retail/commercial space continues as well as for downtown residential although a shortage exists for the moment.
In 2017 there were no actual bakeries downtown although there were places that baked. Now there are 3 bakeries satisfying diverse needs.
Destination locations, experiential businesses, well-designed events, good service, unique offerings are key to attracting business beyond local. These things are in place, but we need more. For example, we have beautiful churches, various nice venues, quality caterers for receptions, convenient downtown accommodations for guests, and we have bakeries. Perhaps we need to build on this particular infrastructure by adding a bridal shop and start promoting Kinston as a wedding destination.
Christmas in Kinston has also made our city a destination. Christmas is now the second largest event downtown to the BBQ Festival on the Neuse and includes 2 popular events over a 6-week period; Turn on the Lights and Tinsel Trail (scheduled this year for Saturday November 23rd) and the Christmas Parade that is always on the first Saturday of December (Saturday the 7th this year).
Since 2018, the parade has been live-streamed globally on Neuse News social media, attendance has grown to 8,000 spectators with over 100 registrations for 1,500+ participants. It is now the largest and most popular Christmas parade in Lenoir County if not Eastern North Carolina. The 6-weeks of displays in Pearson Park brings 5,000 people downtown. That means over 14,000 people come downtown during those 6 weeks specifically to enjoy our Christmas.
Christmas in Lenoir County could be another destination opportunity if we coordinate parade dates and make it a weekend-long event of parades throughout the County for lovers of all things Christmas, and this could include other holiday experiences such as Mike’s Farm. Can you imagine the collateral economic impact?
The statistics noted above directly reflect the transformations we have achieved through collective efforts, massive amounts of positive community support and engagement as well as to continuous, effective marketing of our downtown by Downtown Kinston Revitalization, Visit Kinston, and other community stakeholders who active promote our downtown and community.
Marketing our progress, our opportunities, and our assets has made downtown Kinston a destination . . .and to this point, let’s not forget that the traction generated by Vivian Howard’s and Ben Knight’s famous Chef and the Farmer Restaurant and her PBS show A Chef’s Life.
Investing in your community is investing in yourself.