Gray Downtown Development Authority members welcomed a newcomer to their board and discussed two new projects anticipated to be completed by the fall at their August meeting.
Chairman Sherri Rollins called the Aug. 11 meeting to order and introduced the new board member, Anndrea Lumpkin.
Main Street Gray Director and board secretary Ashley Roberson gave the first report about the budget and finances. She said all rents are paid up to date, bills are paid and the budget is on track.
There was no Old Business on the agenda, so the chairman moved on to New Business.
Rollins recommended updating the license agreement for Butler Hall due to an unforeseen issue with the cancellation of the rental of the venue. She suggested a termination clause needed to be added. Board member Bert King, who drafted the original contract, said he would study the issue and report back next month.
Roberson gave the marketing report for Butler Hall, stating that two contracts had been signed since the July meeting, and three events were planned this month. The director said six events were scheduled in September, and after that, events pick up through the end of the year.
Roberson asked about the possibility of setting special rates for holidays in 2026. She said weekdays are less expensive, and the Monday holidays have been popular.
Rollins said the venue is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day but is open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day that can fall on any day of the week.
Lumpkin said it is generally understood that holiday rentals cost more.
Robinson said the current rental rates are $800 for Monday through Thursday, $1,500 Friday, $2,750 Saturday and $1,250 Sunday.
Rollins asked if the board would consider increasing the rate to $1,250 for the Monday holidays. Lumpkin made the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Rollins reported the bills had been paid for the renovation of 102 E. Clinton St., and the suites are all leased. She added that the new tenants all seem happy.
Roberson said she is getting quotes for blinds and the option of tinting for the windows in the building.
Rollins announced there is already a tenant for 104 E. Clinton St., and repairs to the building are underway. She said the tenant would be handling the inside updates and equipment that are specifically for the business.
She asked for approval to continue moving forward with the project, and the members agreed.
The chairman also announced a tenant for 106 W. Clinton St., the former Main Street building.
“I’ve been getting compliments about Gray looking so clean and quaint. It’s exciting to think about; we’ve come a long way,” she stated.
Main Street report
Roberson said she met with downtown business owners to discuss the schedule for upcoming events.
“If we are going to have good music, we need to start planning now,” she said.
The director said they decided to move the fall festival to a Friday evening event Oct. 17, which is a bye week for Jones County High School football. She said she is working with the coaches to include the high school and highlight downtown business rather than bringing in out-of-town food trucks.
“We want it to be a fun community event,” she said.
Roberson said the next Young Entrepreneur competition will start with a parent meeting the end of the week, and a branding meeting with the city and county partners was scheduled for the following day.
The next meeting of the Gray DDA is scheduled Sept. 8.
