Eclectic is on its way to being a Main Street town.
For almost a year a group led by Jessica Hoagland have been meeting. They have been coming up with ideas to help Eclectic and its businesses through revitalization — mainly using Main Street Alabama.
Eclectic hasn’t been designated a Main Street town yet, it is on its way after Main Street Alabama announced its part of the Main Street network. It will be a process to get the larger overall designation.
“Main Street has given us a few tricks and tips along the way,” Hoagland said. “They have explained to us that it typically takes around two to four years to become an actual Main Street program.”
The group will have to show efforts in improving Eclectic and fundraising to the point to sustain a dedicated office and a full-time employee to serve as the executive director.
Hoagland is serving as president of the board for the organization in Eclectic. It can’t use the Main Street name and has settled on Networking Eclectic until it becomes a designated town. At that point, Main Street Eclectic is an option.
The group’s efforts will be visible throughout Eclectic.
“With us being so small, we are going to focus on the entire town,” Hoagland said. “Our Main Street is not very large. We are trying to bring those other businesses into it as well. We want to incorporate everybody.”
Efforts to enter the network program of Main Street Alabama started nearly a year ago. Business and community leaders met several times before starting the application process. They even met with Main Street Alabama representatives. The goal was to get everyone on the same page. Going forward, projects around town might be benches, trash receptacles and murals.
“It’s all for the growth of new businesses, existing businesses and a sense of community and camaraderie in town,” Hoagland said.
