While there are many important projects linked to the Marketing Strategy, this project is literally the top priority. Leadership and team organization is essential to the program's success.

Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) is well suited to take the lead in implementation, with one exception. It has not yet hired full-time professional management. MDC intends to address this key limitation during 2004. With so many projects pending and with so many challenges facing Downtown advocates, the executive director position should be filled as soon as possible.

It is essential that the lead and team (noted in the header above) meet to organize and coordinate their revitalization efforts. Currently, the Downtown Association is not active. Its leaders intend to restore operations once a clear scope of work can be identified to guide their efforts. We recommend that an implementation workshop be scheduled at the nearest opportunity to bring all these entities (MDC, City staff, Downtown Association and Chamber of Commerce staff) together.

Once the team is fully organized, it should meet regularly (as often as deemed useful, perhaps monthly) to discuss projects, trends, results and changing conditions. This interaction will lead to strategic refinements and enhanced teamwork.

One of the key issues that the team needs to address is availability of resources to fund program administration and individual projects. All categories of resources listed in the Support Tab should be reviewed. How these resources should be pursued and by whom should also be addressed.

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