Several projects were announced during the Discover Downtown Middlesboro (DDM) Annual Meeting on Thursday. One of those projects involves the Elks Home in Middlesboro.

DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer announced that as of December, the DDM board of directors are now the owners of the Elks Home. Kremer stated DDM plans to get the building “where it needs to be” but it will take a decent amount of money and time to do so.

Kremer stated the historical society is going to pay half of the cost to bring a structural engineer in to evaluate the building.

The second project Kremer announced was a strategic plan. Kremer called the plan the “people’s plan for economic development, job creation and downtown revitalization in downtown Middlesboro.”

DDM acquired a $10,000 grant to perform the plan. Dean McCann and Lincoln Memorial University will be partnering with DDM to create the plan. Kremer also stated they will be bringing in a national expert to help facilitate the plan.

The third project Kremer spoke about involved connecting the canal walk with the Cumberland Gap National Park. The walk would be 2.5 miles in length.

“The vision is to connect the downtown (Middlesboro) with the national park by using a continuous walkway,” stated Kremer.

During the different committee reports, Larry Grandy, chair for economic restructure, stated his committee is going to focus on getting one business or entity “fired up” this year.

“If we can make one success then hopefully that will breed a second success and a third success,” said Grandy.

Penny Smith, the chair for promotions, announced her committee is currently working on an Easter Egg Hunt and that DDM will continue having their other annual events, such as the Ducky Dash, Nightmare on 20th Street, etc.

DDM Treasurer Phillip Ball stated in the past month, DDM has raised more money in memberships that it has in the past six years.

Antony Cloud can be reached via email at acloud@civitasmedia.com or by phone at 606-248-1010, ext. 208.