Press Release

Wilson, North Carolina Names Downtown Strategies as Downtown Development Partner

published: February 4, 2021
9:09 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Caroline Hannum
Retail Strategies
carolin e @retailstrategies.com

BIRMINGHAM, AL (February 4 , 2021) – Wilson, North Carolina has selected Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies, as its partner for downtown revitalization and strategic visioning for Wilson. The partnership will focus on Historic Downtown Wilson, conducting a market and real estate analysis on downtown to formulate a strategic plan. This partnership will include a Strategic Visioning Workshop with downtown stakeholders.

“Wilson has been pleased with the progress our city has made in our retail recruitment partnership with Retail Strategies. Knowing that the Retail Strategies team is consistently looking for ways to innovate in their partner communities, we made the decision to focus efforts on maximizing our downtown’s potential with Downtown Strategies.”
Kimberly Van Dyk, Planning and Community Revitalization Director

“The city leadership in Wilson has been diligent in securing new ways to develop their city,” said Jenn Gregory, president of Downtown Strategies. “Our team at Downtown Strategies will be doing in-market research to prepare for a Strategic Visioning Workshop. The workshop will deliver tangible ways to revitalize and develop Historic Downtown Wilson, adding greater economic value. Downtown Strategies is excited to bring our services into the state of North Carolina.”

The Retail Strategies team will host an in-market workshop with business owners, merchants, business owners, community leaders, and elected officials to gain feedback and allow dialogue to provide immediate assistance to those needing it most. The team will then execute a market and real estate analysis taking a deeper dive into Historic Downtown Wilson. Retail Strategies will ultimately customize a Downtown Strategic Plan -with specific strategies focused on policy, design, tourism, and economic catalyst opportunities for the downtown area.

“Wilson has been a great client partner for Retail Strategies,” said John Ruzic, portfolio director at Retail Strategies. “Our team recognized the opportunities in Historic Downtown Wilson and saw the advantages of introducing them to Jenn and the Downtown Strategies team. We are excited to continue working within the community to enhance and revitalize the downtown area.”

About Wilson, North Carolina

Wilson, North Carolina is located at the intersection of two major highways just 45 minutes east of Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital and two hours from the coast. Wilson is known for being a crossroads of charm and innovation, offering small town community living along with forward-thinking innovation including the renowned Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Greenlight gigabit-speed internet service, the Gig East Exchange innovation hub, and an established arts community. The area also offers a variety of sporting activities including the Buckhorn Reservoir and Lake Wilson for boating, hiking, fishing and disc golf; and J.Burt Gillette Athletic Complex and Fleming Stadium for soccer, baseball, and the All Children’s Playground.

For more information, visit https://www.discoverwilson.com/.

About Downtown Strategies

Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies, specializes in downtown revitalization, placemaking, strategic visioning and planning, community engagement, and development for the purpose of enhanced economic vitality and social wellbeing for communities and their citizens.

About Retail Strategies

Retail Strategies is the national expert in recruiting businesses and strategically developing communities. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving towns as alluring locations for national businesses and destinations for tourism and quality of life amenities. With confidence, we pursue this mission by delivering unparalleled customer service as a unified team with unmatched real estate and community development expertise. Our activities pay a return in sales taxes, added jobs, and businesses that enhance and add to the unique qualities of your community.

What do you need?

John Feary

City Manager

Claremore, OK

Service: Small Business Support

We are excited to have a turnkey program that supports all sectors — retail services, restaurants, traditional retail, and landlords. This platform will empower our small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Andrea de la Rosa

Assistant Director of Small Business Development

City of Bloomington

Service: Retail Strategies

I really enjoyed the meeting with Laura Marinos and Jennifer Gregory of Retail Strategies! They were very informative and supportive. They gave me so much information and tips for taking my business to the next level in the marketing area where I lack tremendously. I finally decided on a new name so I will be putting their tools into action soon!

Stacy Grant

Business Owner

Youngstown OH

Service: Retail Strategies

Retail Strategies has been an incredible asset to both my clients and me in deal-making. Their folks do a great job of listening to retailers’ requirements and providing value. They’ve proven to be a strong conduit between municipalities and retailers supporting growth through connections.

Casey Smallwood

SVP, Managing Principal & Market Leader, SRS Real Estate Partners

Service: Retail Strategies

I would highly recommend Retail Strategies. They have been a great partner to the Hendry County Economic Development Council in our recruitment efforts to bring more retail opportunities to the county. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships throughout the retail community combined with their friendly approach has made them a valued partner in our community’s growth efforts.

Keitha Daniels

Executive Director of the Hendry County Economic Development Council

Hendry County, Florida

Service: Downtown Strategies

The thing that we really liked about Retail Strategies is that they work together with you and the community. We had to put together an executive committee that consists of some town employees, officials, some citizens and plus myself from the chamber. Retail Strategies has a very diverse background. They have people that are from economic development, they have people that were realtors, they have people that are downtown development directors, people that are in tourism, people that are in retail, so they really have all avenues.