A Community Defining its Own Future

 Downtown Burlington is stewarded by the folks at the Burlington Downtown Corporation (BDC), a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to promoting downtown and offering support to existing and potential business and property owners. Burlington is an accredited program of the national Main Street Center and is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street & Rural Planning Center.

The BDC is charged with administering the program at the local level and building a public-private partnership to spur economic development in partnership with the State agency. The mission of the BDC is to create an environment for downtown redevelopment by engaging community stakeholders and partners, and to inspire investment, business development, and job growth.

As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Burlington is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

Burlington is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  The Burlington Downtown Corporation is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation. 


Staff

Paige Shepard
Downtown Manager
pshepard@burlingtonnc.gov

Board of Directors >

The BDC is governed by a 15-member board of directors that is self-managed. Directors are drawn from the downtown community of property and business owners as well as from the community at large. In nominating board members, an effort is made to include every interest that can bring resources and knowledge to the table in service of the organization’s mission. In addition to the 15 voting members, four ex-officio members make up the board, including a representative from the Alamance County Arts Council and the following City of Burlington Departments: Recreation and Parks, Planning and Economic Development, and Public Works. Additionally, the City of Burlington appoints a member of City Council to serve as the BDC's City Council Liaison. The following individuals currently serve as board members:

Board of Directors

  • Brandon Barbour Barbour & Company
  • Wade Boteler National OnDemand
  • Rick Gunn Gunn & Associates Real Estate
  • Jason Husser PhD, Elon University
  • Reed LaPlante First National Bank
  • Casey Lewis Beechwood Metalworks
  • Ben Nye Labcorp
  • Coleman Rich Elon University
  • Tracy Schmidt Burlington Beer Works and Tanner's Wine Bar
  • Tom Steele Pitman & Steele Law
  • Jeff Wilkins Wilkins Design
  • John Wimmer Elon University

Ex-Officio Officers

  • Tammy Cobb Alamance Arts

Executive Committee >

Tracy Schmidt Burlington Beer Works and Tanner's Wine Bar President

Ben Nye Labcorp Vice President

Jason Husser PhD, Elon University

Wade Boteler National OnDemand

Advisory Board >

Brad Harmon Syntech Signs

Kelly May Glen Raven, Inc.

Are you passionate about Downtown Burlington? Consider joining our Board! We are always looking for fun, engaging, passionate members. Board members serve three-year staggered terms, and commit to attending our monthly Board meetings (the first Thursday of each month for 60-90 mins), and service on one of our Committees, an additional 60-minute monthly commitment. Download the Board Member Responsibilities & Duties here.

Board members are actively involved throughout the month attending events, championing and promoting Downtown, assisting with committee tasks, etc. In return, you will gain a plethora of satisfaction in knowing that you are helping to make a difference by reinvigorating the Heart of our community (Downtown), and making Burlington a better place for all.​

If you are interested in board membership, contact the BDC at info@burlingtondowntown.com or by calling (336)-222-5002.