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About the Main Street Sylva Association

Nestled between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sylva, NC is the hub of cultural and recreational resources for our community and the center of independent businesses and services, unique restaurants and quality events for families and visitors.


The Main Street Sylva Association is a non-profit entity formed with the mission to spur economic development in the town of Sylva using the National Main Street Center’s Four Point Approach: Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.  The initiatives will not only benefit downtown Sylva, but all of the Sylva Main Street Corridor and arteries from the Dillsboro city limits through the end of the Sylva City limits on Highway 107.
 

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The organization has taken on some of Sylva’s longstanding events such as Greening Up the Mountains, Treat Street and the Christmas Parade.  Board members represent key areas of Sylva related to the Main Street program, such as independent businesses, the arts, garden & streetscape, historic preservation, county and town planning and residential.
 

Mission statement:
The mission of the Main Street Sylva Association is to promote downtown revitalization through community and economic development within the context of historic preservation.

 

The Town of Sylva is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Main Street Sylva Association is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.  

 

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Main Street Sylva Association is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.

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Meet The MSSA Board of Directors
 

Mike Poston, Past President
Laurie Bryson, President

Jackson County Planning Director

Economic Vitality Chair

Owner, Balsam Falls Brewing

Promotions Committee Chair

Natalie Newman

Sylva Town Board Representative

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Jenifer Presley

Wellness Coordinator,
Jackson County Parks

& Recreation

Manager, Fusions Spa

Berkshire Hathaway

Great Smokies Realtor

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Matthew Morelli
Corey Bryson
Patricia Bryson-Wink

Manager

Black Balsam Outdoors

Owner, Balsam Falls Brewing

State Farm Insurance

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How to Get Involved

Committee members volunteer to help meet the goals of the Yearly Economic Development Plan.  Committees typically have monthly meetings and volunteer for special projects and events.   A year of committee service qualifies members to apply for a seat on the Board of Directors.  The 3 Committees are: Promotions, Economic Vitality and Design.  If you would like more info. about getting involved, please email mainstreet@townofsylva.org or call Town Hall at 828-586-2719.

Robin Bailey
Jay Spiro
Marne Harris

Director, Small Business Center

Southwestern Community College

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