Having just returned from Sylva, N.C., and a Main Street Conference, we tried to learn as much as possible to help our downtown business district, and met many new friends with great ideas and all were willing to share them with each other. We will discuss them later, but first, where is Sylva? Sylva is a very small town west of Asheville that is trying to revitalize its downtown like so many of us. It is nestled in the Smokey Mountains, and they are building on their mountain heritage much like we are with the Pamlico River. They have three microbreweries and many nice restaurants situated in very old and stoic buildings where the elements from mountain living have taken its toll. Beautiful little town with the view of the mountains and fresh air every morning — still not our Pamlico!

So, what did you learn? Learned early in the conference was the importance and definition of branding. We all remember our first date? Branding is like a first date to a tourist and the impression they receive is so very important, and it will be a lasting one! It is not about slogans and logos; it is our promise and what they can expect when they visit. Do we live up to our brand, and what is our brand?

There was much discussion about downtown housing and the advantages it offers. Downtown living is the No. 1 opportunity at this time in North Carolina, and growing rapidly and will make downtown a location. It creates the need for retail stores like drug stores, hardware stores, shoe stores and other small retailers shifting and building our economic base. It offers neighborhood safety and increases the use of our historic buildings, thus creating a “neighborhood” in our commercial district that will cause our stores to remain open later while creating many new jobs and business opportunities. It then becomes a location of convenience and choice.

Also, there was much discussion on economic drivers such as microbreweries and farmers’ markets.

These are two of the largest economic drivers in many small towns across N.C. and are growing every day.

Our farmers’ market has had as many as 24 vendors, and each would like more time and extended months to operate. It is now attracting people from other nearby cities and farmers from all over Beaufort County. The microbrewery coupled with the farmers’ market will only add to bringing people downtown, and we are hoping that a microbrewery will be locating soon. In our area alone, Kinston, New Bern, Greenville, Farmville and Tarboro already have at least one established in their downtown areas. Together with our fine restaurants, a brewery could only help our first impression!

While at first, I was not too excited about having to drive seven hours, I found it to be very refreshing, and it provided me with many new ideas for our business district. Until next week, please shop, dine and play in beautiful Washington and always take a walk with the H-Rob!

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.