The city of Greenwood might overtake the operation of the Downtown Greenwood Farmers Market following this afternoon’s City Council meeting, according to Mayor Carolyn McAdams.
Initially, Greenwood’s market, which runs for 20 weeks from June 11 through harvest’s end, was overseen by Main Street Greenwood
McAdams said the market falls outside the mission of Main Street, which is geared more toward retailers and historical preservation.
“In most cities, the farmers markets are run by the cities,” the mayor said Monday afternoon.
Main Street received some grant funding from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi for the farmers market, and that funding will be allowed to go toward hiring a part-time manager.
In addition, the city received $8,000 as part of its own Healthy Hometown Initiative, which can be used to promote the market.
McAdams said hiring a manager will permit more aggressive promotion and allow that person to “create an atmosphere” for the market in the community at large.
The manager would have a small salary, but it is expected that he or she would make a 50 percent commission from each vendor signed up for the season, the mayor said.
McAdams said typically 10 to 12 vendors are at the market on any given weekend. The market might also be expanded to cover craft vendors such as soap and candle makers, she said.
McAdams said the market will likely receive a big boost due a planned $250,000 outdoor pavilion, which is part of the planned $1.4 million linear park, which will be built close by.
McAdams said she has a person she would like to put into the position of manager but declined to comment further pending action by the council.
If approved, the mayor said, a committee of residents from across the city, nominated by the mayor and approved by the City Council, would oversee operations of the market.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
