Music on Main gets $10,000 grant
The Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors awarded $10,000 of community leverage grant funding for Music on Main, a free concert series at Old Oak Square in downtown Marble Falls.
Grant money will pay for musicians, marketing, and seating for concerts scheduled from March through October. The series kicked off on Wednesday, March 1, with a performance by John Arthur Martinez.
Other acts planned for the 36-week series include The Ruben V Band, Pauline Reese, Wake Eastman, and Dave Orr. Shows are 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays.
Organizers aim to attract residents and tourists to the downtown district to boost local businesses.
“The music brings people to town,” EDC board President Steve Reitz said. “Everyone is in agreement on that. We sure want to support it and be a part of it.”
Mitch McManus, owner of Old Oak Square and the grant’s applicant, initially asked the EDC for $31,500. Because the EDC only allots $100,000 total each fiscal year for community leverage grants, directors who serve on that subcommittee argued to limit the contribution to $10,000.
“We don’t mind supporting it and participating in it and giving it a shot in the arm,” Reitz said. “We just don’t want to underwrite the whole thing.”
Community Leverage Subcommittee members are Reitz, Director Judy Miller, and Mayor Richard Westerman.
Each year, the Marble Falls EDC allocates money through community leverage grants to provide matching funds for projects that enhance the quality of life for residents or improve the well-being of the city. Since 2013, the EDC has awarded more than $800,000 in community leverage grants.
Author:
Nathan Bush
