Mission Statement: to promote and enhance a vibrant commercial and cultural Downtown Nashua through business partnerships, event promotion and effective marketing.
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Who We Are & What We Do…
Established in July 2002, Great American Downtown (GAD) was created to develop and implement programs, projects and events that promote the entire downtown as a destination for shopping, dining, business services, arts & culture and as a residential community. Our boundaries are from the Hunt Library building to the Hunt Retirement Community, and our east/west boundaries go out two blocks from Main Street, including the Millyard.
Our office is led by a board of directors who represent the many constituents of downtown. We are staffed by two full-time employees and we are supported by a corps group of volunteers throughout the year.
Our Board of Directors:
Scott MacKnight, President
Sherrilyn Alden Bellavance, Past President
Tia Phillips, 2nd Vice President
Judy Bennett, Secretary
Issa Ansara, Treasurer
Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, Advisory role (non-voting)
Gary Arnold, Shaw’s
Steve Bolton, Bolton Law Offices
Kerrie Diers, Nashua Regional Planning Commission
Jill Gage, FORTIN GAGE Flower & Gift Shop
Tom Galligani, City of Nashua – Economic Development
Ed Lecius, Nashua Police Department
Fouad Mahfuz, Persian Rug Galleries
Lt. Ray McDannell, Nashua Police Department
Mike O’Brien, Nashua Fire Department
Chris Williams, Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce
Don Warner, Bellavance Beverage Company
Staff
Rebecca Dixon – Executive Director
Ali Manning- Marketing & Communications Manager
How We Are Funded…
Great American Downtown’s budget is funded through a number of resources. Currently we receive 68% of our income from the events and programs we produce, 20% (40K) from the City of Nashua, 9% from downtown membership dues, 2% from corporate funding and 1% from donations.
Signature Events…
Great American Downtown produces four signatures events which bring over 50,000 people downtown over the course of the year and they continue to grow in size and popularity. A common question we hear is, “Where does the money go?” The answer is – it goes right into paying for the production of your next favorite downtown event.
Spring Feast Week (April) – Launched in 2009, this much anticipated event brings over 5,000 people to downtown over the course of 5 days to enjoy fabulous discounted dining.
The Taste of Downtown Nashua (June) – Launched in 1994, the Taste is the first event of its kind in NH and has led to the creation of many similar events by other NH cities. It draws close to 1,000 downtown for a night unlike any other. In an effort to encourage attendees to explore downtown each restaurant serves their samples out of a downtown shop. Beer and wine tastings as well as musicians are scattered throughout the downtown.
Fall Feast Week (October) – Launched in 2009, this much anticipated event brings over 5,000 people to downtown over the course of 5 days to enjoy fabulous discounted dining.
Winter Holiday Stroll (November) – Launched in 1993, The Winter Holiday Stroll has grown from an event of just a few hundred to over 30,000 attendees and largest holiday event in NH – no contest. The event kicks off with a candlelit stroll led by Santa Claus to light the City’s holiday tree. As soon as the tree is lit, that’s when the festivities kick off. Over 40 performers inside and out, food, beer, and lots of holiday shopping.
Marketing & Communications…
Web site: www.downtownnashua.org featuring a downtown business directory, calendar of events and more
Bi-weekly e-newsletter spotlighting downtown business news and community events
Advertising campaigns
Press releases focusing on business news and downtown events
Programs…
Downtown Farmers Markets (June – Oct., Fridays and Sundays)
Downtown Dollars gift certificates
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