Editorial: Supporting Main Streets

First Thursday, the monthly arts event in central JP’s business district, is one of those things that is so successful and smooth that it seems to happen by itself. But it is actually the product of immense work by JP Centre/South Main Streets, a nonprofit that is essentially one staff person and a small board of directors.

Egleston Square Main Streets similarly has a positive impact out of all proportion to its size.

JP’s small business community is already vibrant, with each individual company’s work helping everyone else. Restaurants drive business to nearby shops and vice versa. Appealing storefronts and a busy feel encourage customers to explore entire districts. This newspaper and its community-based reporting would not exist without those other local businesses.

But groups like Main Streets go beyond that with programs that tie it all together, boosting business and building community. They draw even more resources into our neighborhood.

When work is done well, it often seems effortless or even invisible. The Main Streets groups won’t let you see them sweat, but in the end, they need all the support they can get. To learn more, see jpcentresouthmainstreets.org and eglestonsquare.org.

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