About us
As directed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Kentucky Main Street program, Murray Main Street must follow the National Main Street four-point approach:
Organization (meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm): Focusing on the structure of the program, the Organization committee works toward fundraising and membership ensuring the foundation of the program will remain strong.
Economic Vitality (meets every 3rd Friday of the month at 8:00 am): The most difficult of the four points, E/V involves recruiting new businesses into downtown and historic areas, working on incentives for those businesses and working with the city government on those programs.
Promotion (meets every 2nd Friday of the month at 8:00 am): A healthy, vibrant downtown is created by awareness of activities and events happening and the promotion committee is the hub of successful events.
Design (meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 8:00 am): Many design projects for streetscapes, signage, façade grants and restoration are developed and supported through the design committee.
These four points are the standards required for the voluntary, working board of Murray Main Street.
our mission
Murray Main Street will stimulate economic development and investment in the historic district by promoting its distinctive qualities through preservation and improvement making it a great place to live, work, shop and play.
our vision
Preserving history’s future
Since the inception of Murray Main Street in 1998, over 34 million dollars have been invested into the historic downtown. Over the years, 452 new jobs were created in downtown with over $7 million dollars of private money being invested. Almost 2,000 people work in the Downtown Commercial Historic District.
Located in the Historic Post Office on the court square, Murray Main Street has successfully rehabilitated a historic building downtown, creating two opportunities for economic development. Currently, Murray Main Street has taken on a project of rehabilitating a Victorian house in the historic district, known as the Higgins House.
Deana Wright, certified Main Street Manager, has been with the program over ten years. Serving as the regional manager for Kentucky Main Street, she works with other regional programs assisting in large projects and needs.
The Board of Directors for Murray Main Street consists of community members and pillars of the community from all walks of life. The cooperation of many community organizations such Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Town & Gown add to the success of the program.
Board of Directors
Steven Hunter, Secretary & Past President
Steven is the minister at Glendale Road Church of Christ. He has been on the Murray Main Street board for six years. He is currently the Chair of the Promotions Committee and Secretary of the Board.
Ryan Marchetti
Ryan is DJ is the Director of PD/PR for the Calloway County School System. He is new to the Murray Main Street board and serves on the Economic Vitality Committee.
Karen Welch, Treasurer
Karen is the Manager of New Life Christian Bookstore and co-owner of The Maple Center. She has been on the Murray Main Street board for four years. She is a member of the Design Committee and Treasurer of the Board.
Joe Darnall
Joe is the Project Manager, Research and Acquisitions for Black Pearl Properties in Murray. He has been on the Murray Main Street board for six years. He is currently the Chair of the Economic Vitality Committee.
Whitney Bolin
Whitney and her husband Wesley are the owners of Bolin Books. Whitney is new to the Murray Main Street board and is serving on the Organization Committee.
Seth Darnell
Seth is a Vice President in the loan department at The Murray Bank. He has been on the Murray Main Street board for one year. He is a member of the Organization Committee.
Matt Falwell, President
Matt is an Insurance Advisor with Tigrett & Pennington. He has been on the Murray Main Street board for five years. He is the Chair of the Design Committee and President of the Board.
Dan Otterson
Dan is the owner/trainer of The Garage on Main. He has been on the Murray Main Street board for two years and is serving on the Promotions Committee.
Robbie Bryant
Robbie and his wife Carrie are the owners of Main Street Market. Robbie is new to the Murray Main Street board and is serving on the Economic Vitality Committee.
Ryan Houston
Ryan Houston is the Manager at Murray Supply Company. He has been on the Murray Main Street Board for two years and is serving on the Promotions Committee.
Mandi Sittig
Mandi is a realtor for Keller Williams Experience Realty. She is new to the Murray Main Street board and is serving on the Promotions Committee.
Melony Bray, Vice President
Melony is the Marketing Director for the Murray Calloway County Hospital. She has been on the Murray Main Street board for two years. She is a member of the Promotions Committee and Vice President of the Board.
