What is the Heart of Brevard?
The Heart of Brevard is a non-profit organization that focuses on maintaining a vibrant downtown Brevard.
Where is the Heart of Brevard?
The Heart of Brevard is a Municipal Services District that was established by the City of Brevard in 1990. The MSD includes the core intersection of the downtown, Main Street and Broad Street (also known as Highway 64 West). It extends on Main Street from Oaklawn to Rice, and on Broad from Probart to Morgan. The Heart of Brevard is only a part of the city’s entire downtown district.
Who belongs to the Heart of Brevard?
All owners whose businesses or properties fall within the Heart of Brevard district automatically belong to the HOB. These owners pay an extra tax (Municipal Services District tax) each year.
How is the Heart of Brevard funded?
The Heart of Brevard relies primarily on the MSD tax that all business and property owners pay annually. Their tax is based on $.20 per $100 value of their property. HOB also receives grant money from the City of Brevard as part of their economic development program, and solicits sponsorship for its street festivals and special events.
What is the relationship of the Heart of Brevard to the City of Brevard?
The Heart of Brevard is a non-profit organization that focuses on economic development for the City of Brevard’s downtown.
How does the City support the Heart of Brevard?
Besides an annual grant, the City’s Department of Public Works, Building & Grounds, Police, & Fire Department provide extra assistance for special events.
How many businesses are located in the Heart of Brevard?
There are about 105 businesses, organizations and agencies located in the Heart of Brevard, employing about 1000 people.
What kinds of businesses are in the Heart of Brevard?
* Many of our community’s important government agencies are located in the Heart of Brevard: County Courthouse and Administration, the County’s Department of Social Services, City Hall and City government offices, and the Federal Post Office.
* Over 50% of our businesses provide professional services: doctors, dentists, health/therapy specialists; lawyers; accountants, bankers, financial and investment consultants, insurance brokers; hair stylists, barbers; architects, interior designers, engineers, builders/contractors; real estate brokers; florist.
* Retail businesses include: art galleries, antiques, home furnishings/accessories, gifts, jewelry, toys, hardware, women’s and children’s clothing, outdoor wear, pet supplies, and shoes.
* Eateries include: restaurants, bars, coffee shops and bakeries, gourmet food and wine, coffee roaster.
* A gas station and one of the few single-screen theaters in the entire nation!
Why does the Heart of Brevard sponsor street festivals?
The Heart of Brevard follows the nationwide Main Street downtown revitalization program. Promotions is one of the 4 tiers of the Main Street program. Besides advertising and marketing, festivals is another important part of promotions. Festivals bring large numbers of people into the downtown so that they can have fun and can enjoy the downtown as a common community gathering place. Downtowns used to be the main social and cultural center for a city.
What street festivals does the Heart of Brevard sponsor?
The Heart of Brevard holds four annual street festivals:
* The White Squirrel Festival: the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, honors our very special city wildlife population.
* The Fourth of July Celebration: takes place on July 4th to celebrate our nation’s independence and brings back the ole hometown spirit.
* Halloweenfest: where else would you celebrate Halloween but in Transylvania County on the last Saturday in October?
* Twilight Tour: on the first Saturday in December showcases the very unique gifts you can find for your special loved ones for the holiday season. Lumanaries, camp fires, and music create holiday cheer for all!
What is the Main Street program?
The Main Street program was created in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. While the original concern was the preservation of important downtown historic buildings, the program developed to create a healthy economic climate that would allow businesses to thrive in these downtown buildings. The 4-tier approach (promotion, design, economic restructuring, and organization) is comprehensive and systematic. North Carolina was one of the original states to charter the Main Street program.
Why is it important to save downtown?
The downtown is the main economic, cultural, political, and social center of our community. Maintaining a safe and attractive downtown allows 100s of small, independent businesses to flourish; important government transactions to take place; art and musical events to occur, a healthy lifestyle to be encouraged.
When did the Heart of Brevard become a Main Street city?
The Heart of Brevard officially became a Main Street city in 1993, but from its conception in 1989, the intent was to follow the Main Street approach.
When did the Heart of Brevard open its office doors?
The Heart of Brevard office opened in January of 1991.
Where is the Heart of Brevard office located?
The office is located at 175 East Main Street, Suite 200. We are in the Visitor Center building along with the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce & the Transylvania Tourism Development Authority.
How can I help the Heart of Brevard?
* Supporting the businesses and services in the Heart of Brevard helps the whole community.
* Coming downtown for a festival or special event, or just walking downtown are all important ways that make the downtown an important gathering place and your hometown.
* Every non-profit always needs volunteers. Festivals are labor-intensive and require a lot of human power hours.
* Take photographs of the downtown and submit for our website. We would like to keep an active Photo Gallery that represents the downtown all year long.
Downtown Brevard:
The crossroads to Exceptional Outdoor Recreation
The hub for cultural arts
The center for a healthy lifestyle
Come Use Brevard’s Downtown….
It’s Your Hometown !
