Fernandina Beach Main Street helps local businesses

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 11, 2021

Lisa Finkelstein

Fernandina Beach Main Street (FBMS) Executive Director Lisa Finkelstein delivered her organization’s most recent quarterly report to the City at the October 5, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC).

Finkelstein, her Board and the members of the organization’s four Councils — Design, Economic Vitality, Marketing and Organization — have undertaken many projects to benefit local businesses, bring in added revenues, and involve the community more in both enjoying and supporting the FBMS programs and events.

FBMS has embarked on a strategic planning process to survey their stakeholders, develop 3-year goals and receive approval for their 2021-22 Budget.  The organization has created 7 milestones for 2022 to measure their progress.  They have also firmed up objectives and tactics for each of their four councils.

FBMS has 3, 3-year goals that serve to guide their projects and services:

  1. Become independently sustainable.
  2. For the downtown:  Maintain the historical integrity and economic vitality of the central historic business district.
  3. For the 8th Street Corridor:  Support the development of this area into an inviting, shopper-friendly area.

Finkelstein shared the results of a 3-question, post-COVID survey of business stakeholders:

 

The organization received high marks for its August Comedy Crawl and the September Island Hop Craft Beer Fest, which was so successful that it will return next year with even more micro breweries participating. This year’s inaugural event was sold out with 975 attendees who generated almost $30K in ticket sales.  Additionally FBMS collected $32K in sponsorships and over $20K in in-kind contributions.

The 4th quarter of the year also saw the installation of regulatory signage and an update to the pedestrian wayfinding downtown map.

Finkelstein also presented the City with results from the August 2021 audit, which showed FBMS assets at more than $79K and zero total liabilities.