Living starts here...
About the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership, Inc.
Welcome...
Welcome to Downtown North Wilkesboro! North Wilkesboro is a charming North Carolina town at the foothills of the mountains, nestled at the confluence of the Yadkin and Reddies rivers. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and outdoor adventures, North Wilkesboro offers something for everyone. We invite you to visit our historic downtown district, lined with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries, bike or walk our scenic greenways, visit historic sites, learn about our heritage, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and music scene. Whether you are seeking outdoor adventures or a peaceful getaway, North Wilkesboro is the perfect destination. Learn more about the history of our town here.
About the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership, Inc. (DNWP)​
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The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership (DNWP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is committed to being the leading resource for cultivating culture, community, and success in the downtown district.
The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership (formerly known as "Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro") began in the fall of 1997 as a subcommittee of the Town Planning Board that consisted of a small group of people enthusiastic about downtown revitalization. In 2000, the DNWP was officially designated a North Carolina Main Street Organization.
As a Main Street Organization, the DNWP is focused on economic development in the context of historic preservation. We address downtown revitalization while protecting and promoting downtown's historic architecture and culture. Using Main Street America's Four-Point Approach to economic development, we focus on transformation strategies and organize our efforts around design, promotions, organization, and economic vitality.
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The DNWP raises funds through donations, grants, friends of downtown, sponsorships, and fundraising events like Light Up Downtown and Marketplace Meltdown. We often partner with other local community organizations, such as the Downtown North Wilkesboro Merchant Association, Wilkes Youth Life Development, and Wilkes County Library, to host events and activities.​
Plan of Work
The DNWP's Economic Development Implementation Plan, or "Plan of Work," sets the overall direction and purpose of our revitalization efforts. The plan outlines our transformation strategies, goals, objectives, and actions under each of the Four Points, that get further broken down into tasks.
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2024-2025 Plan
Vision/Economic Positioning Statement: Where stock-car racing and moonshine were born, North Wilkesboro resides at the confluence of the Yadkin and Reddies rivers. Downtown North Wilkesboro boasts the largest collection of thriving locally-owned businesses in Wilkes County, where culture and community converge as a hub for artisans, entertainers, and craftsmen.
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Mission: The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership is the leading resource for cultivating culture, community, and success in the downtown district.
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Implementation Strategy: North Wilkesboro is a designated NC Main Street community. The Town of North Wilkesboro has charged the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership with the administration of the Main Street program at the local level. The agency uses the Main Street America ™ model of establishing economic development strategies and applying the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization to implement a plan that achieves measurable results.
Economic Development Strategies, Goals & Objectives
Strategy: Collection of thriving locally-owned businesses.
Goal: Cultivate a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for locally-owned businesses.
Objective: Reduce the number of annual locally-owned business closures by 5% by 2025.
Strategy: Hub for entertainers, craftsmen, and artisans.
Goal: Foster a dedicated arts environment for creative individuals.
Objective: Attract 25% more foot traffic to less-frequented portions of our downtown district by 2025.
Leadership
Staff
Taylor is employed by the Town of North Wilkesboro as the Community Development Director and serves as the Executive Director of the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership.
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Board of Directors
The DNWP is governed by a Board of Directors. Main Street revitalization is a community-led effort, requiring active participation from local stakeholders. The director's role is crucial in coordinating and guiding volunteer efforts, but revitalizing the commercial district cannot depend solely on this individual. Success relies on engaging a dynamic board of directors and committees. Their collective leadership and hands-on involvement are essential in shaping and executing the vision for the district's future.
Support Opportunities
Volunteer
Are you passionate about your community and looking for a way to get involved? Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership is always seeking dedicated volunteers to help us create a vibrant and thriving downtown.
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Why Volunteer?
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Make a positive impact: Contribute to the revitalization of our historic downtown.
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Meet new people: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your love for our community.
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Gain valuable experience: Develop new skills and enhance your resume.
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Be part of something special: Help us build a stronger, more vibrant North Wilkesboro.
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Join one of our committees and help guide our revitalization program’s work. If you'd like to lend a hand or your expertise at Light Up Downtown, Marketplace Meltdown, or maybe at our concessions stand at Concerts on the Deck, we'd love to have you! If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, check out the other volunteer opportunities we offer to see if something sparks your interest.
Volunteer Opportunities:
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Event planning and coordination: Assist in organizing and executing community events and festivals.
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Community outreach and engagement: Engage with residents and visitors to share information about Downtown North Wilkesboro.
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Marketing and communications: Help promote local businesses and attractions through social media, newsletters, and other marketing channels.
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Retail and business development: Support local businesses and encourage economic growth in the downtown area.
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Historic Preservation and Beautification projects: Participate in initiatives to preserve Downtown's historic buildings, clean up and improve the appearance of downtown, and encourage art installations.
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Fundraising and grant writing: Support our efforts to raise funds for community projects and initiatives.
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Donate
Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to our efforts in revitalizing Downtown North Wilkesboro.​
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As a Main Street America™ Affiliate, North Wilkesboro is part of a national network of neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
North Wilkesboro is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.
Main Street Program
We Are a Proud NC Main Street Designated Community
​Our Impact
North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program. Main Street America™ is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As one of the first Main Street America™ Coordinating Programs designated in 1980, NC Main Street inspires placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies. The NC Main Street staff is charged by the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate downtown economic development using the Main Street America Four-Point Approach. The Main Street Approach™ focuses on economic development strategies to transform downtown. These strategies articulate a focused path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown economy. Designated NC Main Street community's work is organized around the Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
Learn more about the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center.
The National Main Street Program | Main Street America™
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts since 1980. Today it is a network of neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, that share both commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Main Street America™ is a movement. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.
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