2013 DGDC Annual Dinner & Awards

On Friday, September 20^th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) will host their Annual Dinner on the lawn of the Wayne County Courthouse. This years Annual Dinner will be catered by the downtown restaurant, Central Lunch/Los Fogones, and entertainment will be provided by musician and saxophonist Scott McConnaughey.

The DGDC hosts an Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony each year to reflect on what has occurred downtown in the previous year, comment on accomplishments we hope to achieve in the upcoming year and acknowledge individuals, businesses or organizations that have helped downtown Goldsboro and/or the DGDC make downtown a better place. The awards are as followed:

Special Recognition Categories:

 

1. Best Curb Appeal – A business that appears that someone loves it!  A business owner that pays attention to the small details to improve their ability to capture a customer’s attention and improve downtown’s overall appearance.

2013 Winner – Baddour, Parker and Hine PC

2. Best Promotional or Marketing Effort – A downtown business or organization (non-DGDC) that conducts a marketing or promotional effort that effectively improves their bottom line or benefits all of downtown. 

2013 Winner – Sallie’s Bridal Shop

3. Best New Business – A business that has recently opened and demonstrates great potential by practicing innovative and proven smart small business practices, such as:  quality customer service; effective, creative marketing strategies including social media and web presence; and, thoughtful, attractive interior display and attractive exteriors.

2013 Winner – The Village Rising

1. Indicator Of The Year – A project, investment, or activity that was initiated during the year, may not yet be complete, but serves as an optimistic economic indicator for downtown growth in the future. 

2013 Winner – Vollis Simpson Whirligig – 1^st Major Public Art Installation

5. The Thank You Award  – an award that can be given for any cause to a person, business, organization that the DGDC wishes to recognize.

2013 Winners:

Elite Fashions

And

Goldsboro Police Department, SEU (Selective Enforcement Unit)

 

Award of Merit Categories and Nominations:

1. 1.      Mary Johnstone Award of Merit for Historic Preservation – The property owner that best renovated or restored their building with thought and care to historic preservation. 

2013 Nominations Include:            

–          Amy & Jay Bauer

–          Friends of Town Meeting Hall

1. 2.      DGDC Volunteer of the Year – A person (non-DGDC Board member) that gives of him or herself, their resources or time to help the DGDC succeed in our endeavors.

2013 Nominations Include:            

–          Tom and Dawn Potter

–          Jim Hinnant

–          Kenny Flowers

–          Hallie Hulse

1. 3.       DGDC Design Improvement – The person/business who made a significant design improvement to a building or property creating positive, aesthetic improvement to all of downtown.

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          Thistle Bee Quilt Shoppe

–          Premiere Cuts

–          The Laughing Owl

–          Strickland Law Firm

1. 4.      DGDC Advocate of the Year-  The person who most served downtown/DGDC by acting as a spokesperson throughout the community in support of downtown.

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          Congressman G.K. Butterflield

–          Terry Cottle

–          Richard Stafford

–          Tasha Logan

1. 5.      DGDC Board Member of the Year – The DGDC Board Member that best embraces our efforts and makes outstanding efforts to fulfill them; including Board responsibilities and being a downtown advocate, volunteer and supporter.

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          Michael Headen

–          Betsy Rosemann

–          Tasha Logan

1. 6.      Outstanding Investor- A property owner that has made an outstanding financial investment in downtown and helping posture the area as a more viable economic center for the community. 

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          BB&T

–          NC Dept. of Commerce, Main Street Center

1. 7.      Most Valuable Supporter- The Annual Sponsor that went out of their way to give financial support and other assistance to the DGDC. 

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          Comfort Suites

–          DH Daniels Plumbing Co.

–          Jackson & Sons

–          King Entertainment

1. 8.      Outstanding Business of the Year–The Downtown Business that best embodies the essence of downtown:  friendly, personal, attractive, unique, neighborly, and that support the community and/or DGDC.

2013 Nominations Include: 

–          Kinsey Realty

–          Direct Carpet

–          Thistle Bee Quilt Shoppe

–          University Lights

 

In addition to awards, the DGDC will recognize their outgoing board president, Geoff Hulse who has served as president to the board for five years overseeing projects like Center Street Streetscape, the DGDC’s new building, the 2013 TIGER grant and many more. Current vice-president, Terry Light, will take Hulse’s place as president.

If someone within the community is interested in attending, please contact the DGDC office. Tickets are $30 and include a seated dinner with entertainment. The DGDC staff and board invite you to celebrate all the great accomplishments that have occurred downtown this year by so many people. 

July 11th Jam Canceled

Due to impending bad weather, the July 11th Center Street Jam has been canceled. It is the DGDC’s first priority to keep the band, vendors, volunteers and event-goers safe. We hope you’ll join us on July 25th for Spare Change!

We’d like to thank Comfort Suites for sponsoring the event that was supposed to take place this evening.

Due to impending bad weather, the June 27th Center Street Jam has been canceled. It is the DGDC’s first priority to keep the band, vendors, volunteers and event-goers safe. We hope you’ll join us on July 11th for Idle Threat!

We’d like to thank Goldsboro Metal Recycling for sponsoring the event that was supposed to take place this evening.

June 13th Jam Canceled

Due to strong winds and downtown power outage, the June 13th Center Street Jam has ended early. We want to thank everyone for coming out for a bit, and send a very special thanks to the Mighty Saints of Soul and Goldsboro News-Argus.

We’ll see you again in two weeks!

Mighty Saints of Soul to Play at June 13th Center Street Jam

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) will host the third Center Street Jam of the 2013 season on Thursday, June 13^th  from 6-9 p.m. at the Waynesborough House parking lot located at 104 S. Center St. The community is encouraged to grab their lawn chairs, put their dancing shoes on and spend an evening downtown.

The June 13th Center Street Jam will feature music by the Mighty Saints of Soul and is sponsored by the Goldsboro News-Argus. Local food vendors will dish-up delectable fare, and Balloons and Clowns will offer face painting and games for children. Admission is free. Pets and personal coolers are not permitted at the event, and everyone must present a valid ID to purchase beer.

For further information about this year’s Center Street Jams, please call the DGDC at 919.735.4959.

Military Appreciation Center Street Jam

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) will host  this year’s Military Appreciation Center Street Jams on Thursday, May 30^th  from 6-9 p.m. at the Waynesborough House parking lot located at 104 S. Center St. The community is encouraged to grab their lawn chairs, put their dancing shoes on and spend an evening downtown.

The May 30^th  Center Street Jam will feature music by The Dickens Band and is sponsored 107.9 WNCT. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Headen and DGDC Board President Geoff Hulse will make opening remarks around 5:50 p.m. with local military leaders from Seymour Johnson AFB. The Goldsboro Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guards will be present for the Posting of the Colors and Beth Stovall, Miss Goldsboro 2013, will sing the National Anthem.

Local food vendors will dish-up delectable fare, and Balloons and Clowns will offer face painting and games for children. Admission is free. Pets and personal coolers are not permitted at the event, and everyone must present a valid ID to purchase beer.

For further information about this year’s Center Street Jams, please call the DGDC at 919.735.4959.

1st Annual “Optimist Kids Fun Day” Event

On Saturday, June 8^th from 10am to 2pm, the Optimist Club of Goldsboro plans to help the kids from Wayne County celebrate the end of the 2012-2013 school year by hosting its 1^st Annual “Optimist Kids Fun Day” event.  In recent years, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation hosted a similar event called the “Ice Cream Social,” which was phased out of its budget for 2013.  Realizing the significance the “Ice Cream Social” had on the kids from the Goldsboro and Wayne County area, the Optimist Club of Goldsboro volunteered to take ownership for hosting the event and has transformed it into the “Optimist Kids Fun Day.”

The main purpose of this event is to provide kids with their first fun-filled day in celebration of graduating to the next level of their school career and to help them start their summer vacation on a positive note.  The event will host many activities and special entertainment for the kids.  In addition, there will be a free “Food Court” for everyone in attendance.  Items on the menu include popcorn, doughnuts, pickles, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, Coca-Cola, and bottled water.  Sponsors of the event include the City of Goldsboro Fire Department, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Culligan Bottled Water, Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Co., Mt. Olive Pickle Co., Optimist Club of Goldsboro, PET Dairy, Pizza Inn, and Ram Rent-All.

The “Optimist Kids Fun Day” event will be held at the Cornerstone Commons in Goldsboro on the corner of Center and Chestnut streets.  All children attending the event must be accompanied by at least one parent or other responsible adult.

The rain date for the event will be Saturday, June 15^th.  For more information, contact Bill Edgerton by leaving a message at 919-288-2567 or sending email to information@goldsborooptimist.org.

Clydesdales to Kick Off Center Street Jam Season Downtown

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) is excited to kick off this year’s free summer concert series known as the Center Street Jams on Thursday, May 16^th from 6-9 p.m. at the Waynesborough House parking lot in Downtown Goldsboro. This year’s first Jam will feature the Budweiser Clydesdale team, courtesy of Jam Sponsor RA Jeffreys, that will make its way down Center Street at 5:30 p.m. before parking on the 100 block of S. Center Street until 8 p.m. Community members are encouraged to grab their lawn chairs, put their dancing shoes on and spend an evening downtown!

The May 16^th Jam will feature music by the Band of Oz. Local food vendors will dish-up delectable fare, RA Jeffreys will provide cold beer from the tap, and Balloons and Clowns will offer face painting and games for children. Admission is free. Pets and personal coolers are not permitted at the event, and everyone must present a valid ID to purchase beer.

For further information about this year’s Center Street Jams, please call the DGDC at 919.735.4959.

US Transportation Secretary Visits Goldsboro

United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Goldsboro on April 30th to learn about the City and DGDC’s efforts to restore Goldsboro’s Union Station.

To read more about his visit, click here.

DGDC Showcases New Office Space

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) invites the community to see their newly renovated office space at 219 N. John St. in Downtown Goldsboro on Thursday, April 25^th from 5-8 p.m. As part of the New Building Open House, DGDC staff and Board of Directors will highlight renovations that were made to the building that sat empty for fifty years and thank individuals who were instrumental in bringing new life to the historic structure. Guests will enjoy refreshments and are encouraged to ask questions about the rehab process.

The DGDC Office Building Project began several years ago when City and DGDC staff met with the owners of five properties on the western side of the 200 block of North John St. to discuss building conditions and intentions. After much discussion, Gordon Maxwell and Louis Maxwell and their families generously donated four properties to the DGDC.

Since the City had an interest in either seeing the properties rehabilitated or razed, a partnership was formed between the DGDC and the City of Goldsboro that would allow the DGDC to market the properties for restoration and reuse with the assistance of Preservation North Carolina.

The DGDC approached the City requesting a waiver of anticipated profits from the sale of one building, 219 N. John St., in hopes that the DGDC could explore making that property a future DGDC office building.  The City Council unanimously agreed.

The new space will provide much-needed room for staff and the Board of Directors, and will also demonstrate the DGDC’s commitment and willingness to tackle major downtown projects. The DGDC is looking forward to celebrating the project completion on April 25^th with the community.

For further information about the New Building Open House, please call 919.735.4959 or visit: www.dgdc.org.