DBBA Weekly Update | 2/25/21

It was a week filled with accomplishments at the DBBA!  As we've mentioned before, since the onset of the global pandemic, we've seen an increase in trash, litter, graffiti and stickers in the downtown core.  Our team is meticulous in making sure that all of these unwanted items are removed/cleaned up before guest come into downtown and our stores open for the day. 

We are also looking at ways to add more flowers downtown this summer.  We've been evaluating the best way to do this, including looking at redistributing our current 50 flower planters in downtown, adding additional planters, or adding additional hooks for baskets.  We are currently in the R&D phase of this project, and should have more information on costs and options soon. 

We do want to celebrate, however, that we have placed our order for the 100 downtown flower baskets that will be installed in Downtown Bend for the summer of 2021.  Due to the fact that we are still suffering a reduced budget due to COVID19, we are not sure at this time how we are going to pay for these assets, if you are interested in donating to our nonprofit that this dedicated to increasing the vitality of Downtown Bend, click here.  If you are interested in volunteering to help us fundraiser, click here.  (Thanks!)  After the summer of 2020 when we were unable to have flower baskets due to COVID19, the board hear the feedback from our community on the importance of these assets and is now working to find new ways to fund this important piece of our downtown beautification. 

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This week, we our new Sales and Marketing director started.  Developing this position will allow us to grow in several ways.  

• Spend more time/efforts promoting Downtown Bend as a destination both locally and nationally
• Spend more time directly promoting our small businesses & their offerings
• Develop more robust sponsorship programs
• Raise more money for the DBBA to be able to continue to do their good work (especially necessary with our current budget that has been reduced by almost 50% due to COVID19

Removing the Sales and Marketing duties from our Executive Director's plate will allow her to focus on other high-priority tasks that currently needed.  This will allow her move the current time spend in marketing to, initially, getting the organization up to speed with internal systems so that if the board decides to expand the district, we are set-up and able to do so.  This includes setting up a CRM, getting staff linked via 365, setting up on online QuickBooks, writing employee manuals and policies and procedures -- all of these things will increase efficiency and set up the DBBA for future growth.  After these things are resolved, she will be able to turn her focus to her efforts on new DEI initiatives, volunteer requirement, grant writing, future visioning and planning for Downtown Bend and community relations.  

This week we also held a merchant meeting regarding parking changes in Downtown Bend, and held several meetings with stakeholders to gather all of the information and support needed to roll out the merchant validation program.

​The scope of the DBBA is vast, and this just touches on a few tiny pieces of the work we did this week, if you like to know more, please contact us.

The DBBA is a small nonprofit dedicated to increasing the vitality of Downtown Bend.