New Director Schanrock ’ s Ideas for Downtown Revival
Story by Thomas Howard
There ’ s no denying downtown Meridian is a bustling place .
With an influx of boutiques , festivals and events , and arts and entertainment opportunities , there is something happening almost every weekend in the Queen City .
Meridian Main Street Director Matt Schanrock hopes to build on the recent successes and put Meridian on a path to even greater opportunities .
“ It couldn ’ t be better timing ,” he said . “ The past few years , it ’ s really been going in the right direction .”
The Meridian native and his wife , Rachel , have enjoyed traveling and visiting larger cities for their cultural arts and entertainment . Now , he ’ s settling in back home and looking to make a difference in his community by revitalizing the Queen City ’ s Main Street program .
Main Street , which is part of a nation-wide historic preservation and revitalization program , helps communities across the country implement economic development pathways and bring new energy to forgotten downtown areas .
Craig Hitt , director of Meridian ’ s Community Development department , said his department is already working with Schanrock and the Main Street program to coordinate their efforts .
“ We ’ re very excited that it ’ s back ,” Hitt said of the Main Street program . “ We have been meeting regularly with Matt and coordinating with events and different activities , and we ’ re looking forward to working with him more .”
Hitt , who has been working in and around economic development in East Mississippi for many years , said he had inquired about Main Street when he came to work in Community Development . The program had been active during his time as a Lauderdale County supervisor and had been a good asset to the community .
Downtown Meridian has attracted a lot of eyes both from potential businesses and potential customers , Hitt said .
“ There ’ s a lot of activity . There ’ s a lot of interest that is
Photo by Thomas Howard
4 • MERIDIAN LIFE