Vision Statement
A crossroads of southern charm and modern innovation, Historic Downtown Wilson is the heartbeat of a diverse community where arts, culture and unique business draw people day and night.
Mission Statement
Wilson Downtown Development Corporation’s mission is to lead community investment and drive the social, cultural & economic engine of an authentic Wilson by creating and promoting a vibrant, innovative & sustainable downtown.
Board of Directors
Wilson Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC), a non-profit organization , was created for the purpose of promoting historic preservation and combating community deterioration. WDDC is managed by a 23-member Board of Directors comprised of downtown business owners, property owners, non-profit leaders, and city and county representatives, all of whom have a passion for revitalizing the heart of the city. They provide leadership in downtown development by delivering vision, human capital and managing financial resources.
A Municipal Service District (MSD) was established downtown in 1981 in accordance with state law. Owners of property located within the MSD pay an additional $.18 per $100 value on property taxes. Approximate annual MSD revenue is currently $65,000. Revenue generated from the MSD tax is used within the MSD boundaries by WDDC for special events, marketing, redevelopment incentives and programs to realize the vision of a vibrant downtown.
- President – Marty Garris | Community Member, Former Co-Owner of Tig’s Courtyard
- Vice President/Secretary – Preston Von Arx | ComForCare
- Past President/Treasurer – Reggie Harrison | Artisan Leaf, Downtown Property Owner
- Economic Vitality Chair – Abder Allan | Downtown Property Owner
- Design Chair – John Misback | Tate Design Group, Downtown Property Owner
- Promotions Chair – Cathy Hardison | Wilson Arts
- County – Lori Winstead | Wilson County, Deputy County Manager
- City – Rodger Lentz | City of Wilson, Assistant City Manager
- Mayor Carlton Stevens |Wilson City Council
- Councilwoman Gillettia M. Morgan | Wilson City Council
- Commissioner Sherry Lucas | Wilson County Commission
- Commissioner Chris Hill | Wilson County Commission
- Sgt. Eric Kearney | City of Wilson, Police Department
- Allyson Moye | Womble Real Estate Company, Downtown Property Owner
- Ryan Simons | Wilson Chamber of Commerce, President
- Wendy Moore | Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum, Downtown Property Owner
- Mahalia Witter-Merithew | Casita Brewing Company
- Bill O’Boyle | North State Consulting, Downtown Property Owner
- Shawna Moses | Samora Naturals, Downtown Property Owner
- Bankston Lewis | Midsouth Roofing & Construction, Downtown Property Owner
- Josh Hawn | Ambata Properties, Downtown Property Owner
- Kahmahl “Mel Lo” Simmons | DiFrent Level Barber Studio, Downtown Property Owner
- Ijeoma Uwakwe | WilsonValue Drug, Downtown Property Owner
- Molly Youssef | Ruckus & Redemption and The Hub Pizzeria & Arcade
Staff and Office
The organization is a public/private partnership comprised of Wilson Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) and the City of Wilson Downtown Development Division housed in the Planning and Community Revitalization Department at City Hall, 112 Goldsboro Street E.
- Kimberly Van Dyk – Downtown Development Director | Planning and Community Revitalization Director
- Christina Bynum White – Downtown & Business Development Manager
- Meg Edwards – Downtown Marketing & Events Strategist
- Catesby Denison – Senior Planner
- Roy Palmer – Arts Innovation Coordinator
- Andra “Tig” Garris – Downtown Events Specialist
WDDC is a member of the National Main Street Program and is one of North Carolina’s Main Street Communities under the Department of Commerce. Following the Main Street Four Point Approach®, WDDC operates four core committees: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vibrancy. Volunteers comprise these committees as well as various subcommittees.
Organization
The Organization Committee, also identified as the Executive Committee, is comprised of board officers, committee chairs, and city and county representatives. Their objective is to increase ongoing strong leadership, involvement and investment in downtown by further advancing a sense of community and making downtown the commercial, social and cultural hub of the community.
Staff Liaison: Kimberly Van Dyk
- Chair – Marty Garris | President
- Preston Von Arx | Vice President, Secretary
- Reggie Harrison | Treasurer
- Denise Stinagle | Representative, Wilson County
- Rodger Lentz | Representative, City of Wilson
- Cathy Brown Hardison | Chair, Promotions Committee
- Mary Sargent | Co-Chair, WDDC Design Committee
- John Misback | Co-Chair, WDDC Design Committee
- Abder Allan | Chair, WDDC Economic Vitality Committee
Promotion
The Promotion Committee helps develop downtown as Wilson’s premier destination for social, cultural and business activity. They develop and execute diverse and innovative ways to use marketing, communications, partnerships, advertising and special events to drive people, investment and sales in Historic Downtown Wilson.
Staff Liaisons: Meg Edwards, Downtown Marketing & Events Strategist | Andra “Tig” Garris, Downtown Events Specialist
- Chair – Cathy Hardison | Wilson Arts
- Missy Harris | ComForCare
- Molly Youssef | Ruckus & Redemption and The Hub Pizzeria & Arcade
- Naija Speight | Barton College
- Shannon McKinnon | ShanSounds Entertainment
- Theresa Jones | Katchi Gifts
- Shawna Moses | Samora Naturals, Downtown Property Owner
- Stefanie Keen | City of Wilson, Communications Specialist
- Wendy Moore | Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum
- Allyson Moye | Womble Real Estate Company
- Bert Garris | Local Rustics Wilson
- Kathy Daughtey | Barton College
- Mahalia Witter-Merithew | Casita Brewing Company
- Lindsey Perry | Wilson Chamber of Commerce
Design
The Design Committee strives to enhance the physical appearance, aesthetics and functionality of Historic Downtown Wilson. They work together to enrich the unique characteristics of downtown, highlight historical characteristics and improve overall cleanliness, maintenance, and beautification.
Staff Liaison: Catesby Denison, Senior Planner, City of Wilson
- Chair – John Misback | Tate Design Group, Downtown Property Owner
- Josh Peede | ISCO Landscaping
- Lori Oxendine | Deetleskeet Design
- Sebastian Correa | Artisan Leaf
- Allyson Moye | Downtown Property Owner
- Kahmahl “Mel Lo” Simmons | DiFrent Level Barber Studio
- Pegi Sharp | Barnes Corner Gallery
- Roy Palmer | Vollis Simpson Whirilgig Park & Museum
Economic Vitality
The Economic Vitality Committee supports existing businesses, recruits new businesses and encourages positive redevelopment and investment, resulting in viable economic growth in Historic Downtown Wilson. They expand on the commercial success of downtown by working to facilitate and grow public and private investment and partnerships.
Staff Liaison: Downtown Business Specialist
- Chair – Abder Allan | Downtown Property Owner
- Bankston Lewis | Midsouth Roofing & Construction, Downtown Property Owner
- Barb White | The Edge Wilson, Downtown Property Owner
- Bill O’Boyle | North State Consulting
- Cameron Cochran | Wilson Forward
- Henry Walston | WDDC Past President
- Josh Hawn | Downtown Property Owner
- Kelly Skinner | Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
- Marty Garris | Community Member, Former Co-Owner of Tig’s Courtyard
- Michael Bell | City Councilman
- Melissa Evans |Wilson Community College Small Business Center
- Preston von Arx | ComForCare
- Rhine Sharp | Downtown Property Owner
- Robert Hiett/Kelly Skinner | UCPCOG
- Ryan Simons | Wilson Chamber of Commerce
Would you like to get involved?
Simply email HistoricDowntownWilson@wilsonnc.org with the subject line: “I want to get involved” and let us know a little bit about yourself and your area of interest.
