Why DMC, Inc.
Main Street programs work best when they're run by a nonprofit...
because revitalization depends on strong partnerships, private investment, and community trust. A nonprofit can fundraise, accept grants and donations, engage volunteers, and advocate for downtown in ways a city department can’t. It allows the program to stay focused on long-term economic vitality instead of shifting municipal priorities, while still working hand-in-hand with the City. That balance, independent but collaborative, is exactly how the Main Street model was designed to succeed.
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Running Main Street through a nonprofit creates the strongest, most sustainable structure. It gives downtown a dedicated organization whose only mission is revitalization, not competing with municipal demands. As a nonprofit, we can leverage private investment, apply for and manage more grants, engage volunteers, build broad-based partnerships, and serve as a neutral convener between the city, businesses, and property owners. Communities across North Carolina use this model because it grows local ownership, stretches public dollars further, and builds long-term stability for downtown.
In short...
Main Street is most effective when it’s community-driven and nonprofit-led, with the city as a strong partner. That structure brings more resources, more buy-in, and better long-term outcomes for downtown.
WHAT DOES DMC, INC. CURRENTLY DO?
We're the nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown's economic vitality...
We deliver beautification projects, small business support, business promotion, and major events that drive people downtown, while tracking jobs, investment, and business activity so the city can clearly see downtown’s progress and needs.
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Downtown Morehead City, Inc. is the city’s nonprofit partner focused solely on strengthening the downtown economy and experience. We lead beautification and placemaking projects like the Ocean Buoy, Sixth Street Circles, and Genesis Building improvements; drive foot traffic through events like Alive at Five, the Derby, and Chowder & Cheer; and actively promote downtown businesses through coordinated marketing and social media. We support small businesses by identifying grant opportunities, managing programs like Adopt-A-Block and Big Rock Pavers, and providing a neutral space for business owners to collaborate. and operating our Downtown Dollars program, a local gift certificate initiative that keeps spending in downtown Morehead City restaurants, bars, and shops. We also track detailed downtown data. including business openings and closures, jobs gained and lost, and property and inventory improvements, so the city has clear, measurable insight into downtown’s economic health and return on investment. In addition, we are actively marketing Downtown Morehead City at the state level by leveraging TDA grant funding for a Highway 70 billboard in Kinston and placements in Visit NC and Our State Magazine, expanding the city’s visibility, tourism reach, and return on local investment.
In short...
We turn downtown from a place people pass through into a place people invest in, through beautification, business support, events, and measurable economic growth.
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​Because we’re a nonprofit, we’re able to fundraise, pursue grants for small businesses, manage volunteer-driven programs like Adopt-A-Block, partner flexibly with arts and civic groups, and maintain detailed performance tracking, expanding the city’s capacity without expanding city staff.
DMC, INC.'S PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nonprofit economic growth partner
for the City of Morehead City, focused solely on strengthening the downtown economy and overall experience.
Downtown business promotion
through coordinated marketing and social media highlighting local events, shops, restaurants, and specials.
Statewide destination marketing
leveraging TDA grant funding, including:
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Highway 70 billboard in Kinston
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Features and advertising through Visit NC and Our State Magazine
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Expanding Morehead City’s visibility, tourism reach, and economic impact
Beautification & placemaking projects
that enhance downtown’s appeal and investment readiness, including:
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Ocean Buoy Project
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Sixth Street Circles
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Genesis Building improvements
Small business support
including:
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Identifying and sharing grant opportunities
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Managing Adopt-A-Block and Big Rock Pavers programs
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Providing a neutral forum for business owners to collaborate and communicate
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Operating the Downtown Dollars program to keep spending local
Foot-traffic-driving events
that support local businesses and tourism, including:
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Alive at Five
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The Downtown Derby Darty
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Chowder & Cheer
Downtown data tracking and reporting
including:
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Business openings and closures
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Jobs gained and lost
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Building, property, and inventory improvements
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Measurable indicators of economic health and return on investment