Partners in Smithfield 2020 Historic Smithfield, Inc The Isle of Wight Arts League Isle of Wight County Isle of Wight / Smithfield / Windsor Chamber of Commerce Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism Town of Smithfield |
| Smithfield 2020 Welcome to our Hometown |
Project updates
At Smithfield 2020's urging, the Town Council has sold 113 and 117 N.
Church Street. A micro-winery is planned for 117 (the "old laundry") and of
a mixed use retail and apartments-above concept is a reality at 113 (the "old
firehouse").
Two other Town-owned properties at the top of Hayden's Lane on Main
Street have been sold; one expands the Gourmet Bakery and Cafe and one will
be open in late spring as a women's boutique.
The Town Council authorized the initial funding of a facades improvement
matching grant program to help commercial building owners affect
structural and landscaping enhancements. Smithfield 2020 has awarded
matching grants to the Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor, the Centers at 319 Main
Street and the Chamber of Commerce.
The golf cart initiative progressed to the point of the Town Council passing
an ordinance for a trial in five specific neighborhoods / sub-divisions. The
primary objectives is an evaluation of safety issues.
A public art initiative to place porcine statuary around Town is complete.
Eight painted pigs now grace the Historic District; a map and descriptive info
is available at the Visitor Center, 319 Main Street.
Contact us, or view the meeting notes below for the latest team initiatives.
At Smithfield 2020's urging, the Town Council has sold 113 and 117 N.
Church Street. A micro-winery is planned for 117 (the "old laundry") and of
a mixed use retail and apartments-above concept is a reality at 113 (the "old
firehouse").
Two other Town-owned properties at the top of Hayden's Lane on Main
Street have been sold; one expands the Gourmet Bakery and Cafe and one will
be open in late spring as a women's boutique.
The Town Council authorized the initial funding of a facades improvement
matching grant program to help commercial building owners affect
structural and landscaping enhancements. Smithfield 2020 has awarded
matching grants to the Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor, the Centers at 319 Main
Street and the Chamber of Commerce.
The golf cart initiative progressed to the point of the Town Council passing
an ordinance for a trial in five specific neighborhoods / sub-divisions. The
primary objectives is an evaluation of safety issues.
A public art initiative to place porcine statuary around Town is complete.
Eight painted pigs now grace the Historic District; a map and descriptive info
is available at the Visitor Center, 319 Main Street.
Contact us, or view the meeting notes below for the latest team initiatives.
A brief history of the Smithfield 2020 project
Spring 2009 - Several individuals including the Isle of Wight County Economic Development Director, the Chairman and the President of
the Isle of Wight / Smithfield / Windsor Chamber of Commerce, and the Isle of Wight & Smithfield Convention & Visitors Bureau's
Director of Tourism meet to discuss ways to address the economic vitality of the Smithfield Historic District in light of the recent closing
of multiple storefronts on Main Street. County Economic Development funds a study and a contract is executed with Sanford Holshouser,
a Cary, NC, economic development consulting firm.
Summer 2009 - Mr. Robert DeMauri, Sanford Holshouser partner, interviews County and Town government leadership and staff, and
Historic District merchants. The project includes an online survey of stakeholders (Historic District merchants and residents) and visitors.
Fall 2009 - The Sanford Holshouser report (<-caution: large PDF) is prepared and reviewed by an ad hoc steering committee which
includes representatives from County Economic Development, Tourism, the Town, the Chamber of Commerce, the Smithfield Historic
District Business Association and the Isle of Wight Arts League. The report is presented by Mr. DeMauri at a public meeting at the
Smithfield Center on October 27th and an abbreviated version of the presentation is made to the Smithfield Town Council meeting on
November 3rd. The steering committee proposes organizing the report's recommended initiatives under a multi-organizational project team.
January 2010 - The Smithfield 2020 Project Team is launched, ratifies Operating Guidelines and begins a review of the Project List.
April 2010 - Historic Smithfield, Inc., the non-profit organization that led the revitalization of the Historic District in the 1990's, commits to
sponsoring Smithfield 2020 and to provide it fiduciary support according to the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Spring 2009 - Several individuals including the Isle of Wight County Economic Development Director, the Chairman and the President of
the Isle of Wight / Smithfield / Windsor Chamber of Commerce, and the Isle of Wight & Smithfield Convention & Visitors Bureau's
Director of Tourism meet to discuss ways to address the economic vitality of the Smithfield Historic District in light of the recent closing
of multiple storefronts on Main Street. County Economic Development funds a study and a contract is executed with Sanford Holshouser,
a Cary, NC, economic development consulting firm.
Summer 2009 - Mr. Robert DeMauri, Sanford Holshouser partner, interviews County and Town government leadership and staff, and
Historic District merchants. The project includes an online survey of stakeholders (Historic District merchants and residents) and visitors.
Fall 2009 - The Sanford Holshouser report (<-caution: large PDF) is prepared and reviewed by an ad hoc steering committee which
includes representatives from County Economic Development, Tourism, the Town, the Chamber of Commerce, the Smithfield Historic
District Business Association and the Isle of Wight Arts League. The report is presented by Mr. DeMauri at a public meeting at the
Smithfield Center on October 27th and an abbreviated version of the presentation is made to the Smithfield Town Council meeting on
November 3rd. The steering committee proposes organizing the report's recommended initiatives under a multi-organizational project team.
January 2010 - The Smithfield 2020 Project Team is launched, ratifies Operating Guidelines and begins a review of the Project List.
April 2010 - Historic Smithfield, Inc., the non-profit organization that led the revitalization of the Historic District in the 1990's, commits to
sponsoring Smithfield 2020 and to provide it fiduciary support according to the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding.
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Press Releases
- 2/2/11 - The Town and Smithfield 2020 are
applying to DMV for a "Smithfield" license plate - 10/8/10 - Smithfield 2020 awards first
matching grants for facade improvements. - 7/29/10 - Smithfield 2020 participates in
Entrepreneurial Downtowns training - 7/06/10 - Town Council approves designation
of Arts & Cultural District - 5/28/10 - Town of Smithfield accepted as
DHCD Commercial District Affiliate - 4/23/10 - Historic Smithfield agrees to sponsor
Smithfield 2020 - 1/18/10 - Downtown revitalization effort
formalized.