About Downtown Statesville Development Cooperation

It Comes Together Downtown
Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization charged with administering the Main Street program for Statesville and whose mission is to champion, promote and lead Downtown Statesville as the economic, social and cultural engine in the region. This is achieved in collaboration with public-private partners working together to enhance the appearance, desirability, and vitality of downtown. 

DSDC has administered the Statesville Main Street Program at the local level since 1982. The organization is governed by a 19-member Board of Directors and has numerous volunteer committees including the Promotions Committee, Design Committee, Economic Vitality Committee, and Organization Committee that work to implement our programs, goals, and objectives.

Our goal is to create an environment that fosters the redevelopment of Downtown Statesville’s Central Business District and serves as a catalyst for private development and public partnerships.

Our Mission

Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) champions, promotes and leads Downtown Statesville as the economic, social and cultural engine in the region. This is achieved in collaboration with public-private partners working together to enhance the appearance, desirability and vitality of downtown.

Our Vision
Downtown is the center of community life for Statesville and Iredell County, and exemplifies the characteristics of a livable and walkable neighborhood. Fostering a collection of independently owned destination businesses for goods and services, downtown is the hub of diverse cultural amenities, entertainment, governmental and educational experiences.
Our Team
Our team consists of 2 full-time members of staff. Our office is located at 104 Court Street, Suite B. Normal operating Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Brittany Marlow, Executive Director
  • Liz Petree, Community Engagement Manager
Annual Budget 
The 2023/2024 operating budget for DSDC is approximately $305,800. Funding comes from the following sources:
  • Municipal Service District Tax. (Approximately 41%)
  • City Appropriation. (Approximately 25%)
  • Miscellaneous, i.e. fundraising and events. (Approximately 34%)

Our Statistics


Statistical AccomplishmentsFiscal Year 2022/2023 
Fiscal Year 2021/2022Fiscal Year 2019/20201982-Present
Facades Improvements6
31166
Building Renovation222197
Net Job Gain (not including part-time)4611221049
Net Business Gain2044241
New Public Investment$161,000$207,832$2,148,757

$59,401,318

New Private Investment$9,346,272$2,663,000$2,261,417$57,523,976
Total Investment$9,507,2722,870,832$4,410,174$83,025,487

Board and Committee Information


The DSDC Board of Directors is comprised of 18 volunteers that share a common vision for Downtown Statesville and direct and administer activities implemented by a full-time staff. Board members serve voluntary three-year terms and represent a diverse population of interests, including downtown merchants, property owners, businesses, educational institutions and other community organizations. The Board meets once a month, on the 3rd Wednesday at noon.

Board of Directors

Doug Hendrix - Chairman
blueharbor bank

Josh Speer, Treasurer
Norris, Stewart & Ralston 

Jennifer Grant, Secretary
Stanter Consulting

Billy Buck Blevins
WAME Radio Station 

Dean Wooten
Wooten Insurance

Emilio Lopez
State Farm Insurance

Kevin Holifield
Jenkins Cleaners

Joe Bondi
Red Buffalo Brewing Co.  

Jim Duffey
American Renaissance School


Donald Hicks, Jr.
Statesville Housing Authority

Wes Davidson 
First Flight Bicycles

Stamey Holland
Holland Realty

Kelli Simko Walker
220 Cafe

John Childress
Banner Drug

Edwin LLerena
Edwin's Hair Studio

Larry Schaeffer
Design Associates, Inc.

Trey Robertson

Marin Tomlin
Allen Tate Realtors

Ex Officios

Asst. Chief John Ivarsson

Statesville Police Department

Cindy Sutton, Executive Director
Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Ben Hardy, Downtown Impact Officer
Statesville Police Department

Shannon Viera, President
Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce

Todd Black
Iredell County Economic Development Corp.

Ron Smith, City Manager
City of Statesville

Costi Kutteh, Mayor 
City of Statesville

John Koppelmeyer
Iredell Arts Council

Design Committee

Meets the first Wednesday each month at 1:00 pm at DSDC

Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape and creating a safe, inviting environment for shoppers, workers and visitors. It takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in a commercial district by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising, window displays and promotional materials. An appealing atmosphere, created through attention to all of these visual elements, conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the district's physical appearance through the rehabilitation of historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, educating business and property owners about design quality and long-term planning. There are five basic areas of focus for Design: Buildings, Displays Streetscapes, Signage, Public Spaces and right of ways and parking. Some of the projects or areas we work on include streetscape improvements, wayfinding signage, parking issues and solutions, handle the Christmas decorations and American Flag installations, graffiti removal program, façade grant program, etc.


Kevin Hollifield - Chairman
Jenkins Cleaners

Robb Collier

Dean Wooten
Wooten Insurance

Anita Johnson
The Johnson Group, Inc.

Kelli Simko Walker
220 Cafe

Marci Sigmon
City Of Statesville Planning Department

Doug Hendrix
blueharbor

Elaine Watts

Re Johnston


Promotions Committee


Meets the first Wednesday each month at 8:30 am at the DSDC Office

Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer and investor confidence in our commercial district. Advertising, retail promotions, special events and marketing campaigns help sell the image and promise of Main Street to the community and surrounding region. Promotion communicates our commercial district's unique characteristics, business establishments and activities to shoppers, investors, potential business and property owners and visitors. There are three primary areas of work for Promotion: Image Building Campaigns, Retail Promotion and Special Event Development. Some of the projects or areas we work on include building our online presence, advertising for downtown and a variety of special events including arts crawls, Wine Walk, Hops and Harmony, and Ghost Tours.

Promotion Sub-Committees

  • Statesville Pumpkin Fest Committee – Meet Monthly beginning in March
    • Plan and execute this community festival which occurs annually the First Saturday in November.
  • Christmas Committee – Meet Monthly beginning in April
    • Plan and execute Holiday Shop and Stroll, Christmas Carriage Rides, Christmas Tree Lighting, etc.
  • Friday After Five Committee – TBD
    • Plan and execute the Friday After Five Summer Concerts on various Friday evenings throughout the season

Jennifer Grant - Chairman
Stanter Consulting 

Cathy Cash 
Piedmont Folkways

Kelli Simko Walker
220 Cafe

Nick Martin
Roots Outdoor

Dean Wooten
Wooten Insurance

Amye Burks
Statesville Civic Center

Alex Walker
Walker, Robinson, Clark

Tanisha Schoolfield
Creations By TYS

Emilio Lopez
States Farm Insurance

Joanna Gerchak
The Watering Hole

Valerie Chambers
Red Buffalo Brewing Co.

Donald Hicks
Statesville Housing Authority

Haley Jones
Mitchell Community College

Hannah Scott
Mitchell Community College

Nicole Kershner
Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce


April Nesbit
City of Statesville

Wes Davidson
First Flight Bicycles

Melanie Taylor
Wine Maestro

Debbie Williamson
Discover Statesville

Rachel Gaitin
Rachel's Crafty Corner

Economic Vitality Committee

Meets the second Tuesday each month at 11:00 am at the DSDC Office

Overview: Economic restructuring strengthens your community's existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base. This is accomplished by retaining and expanding successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix, sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners and attracting new businesses that the market can support. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district. The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today's consumers. There are five basic areas of work for Economic Restructuring: Understanding Current Economic Conditions, Developing Financial Incentives & Capital for Building Rehabilitations & Business Development, Communicate Market Opportunities. Some of the projects or areas we work on include business and developer recruitment, available property list, working with the city to create incentives.  

Donald Hicks - Chairman
Statesville Housing Authority

Doug Hendrix
blueharbor bank

John Childress
Banner Drug

Todd Black
Iredell County Economic Development Corporation

Anita Johnson
The Johnson Group, Inc.

Joe Bondi
Red Buffalo Brewing Co. 

Emilio Lopez
States Farm Insurance

Larry Schaefer
Design Associates

Carole Hendrix
OPUS Financial Advisors Inc.

Matthew Pierce
City of Statesville

Wes Davidson
First Flight Bicycles

Marin Tomlin
Allen Tate

Tip Nicholson 
Statesville ABC Board

Dean Wooten
Wooten Insurance

Josh Speer
Stewart & Ralston

Organization Committee

Organization is the guiding force behind the individual NC Main Street organizations.  In the case of DSDC, it is our Board of Directors.  Our Board of Directors consists of 15-20 members who meet monthly in order to decide the direction in which the staff and committees should be working.  Each member of the board is expected to participate in one of the Committees so that those who are doing the work of DSDC are those who intimately know what its determined needs and goals are.  According to the National Main Street Center, the definition of Organization as it relates to Main Street is “Building human and financial resources, through public/private partnerships to achieve a common vision.”  The major responsibilities of Organization are managing the staff and volunteers by recruiting people, supervising them and rewarding good work; promoting the program to downtown interests and the public, and managing the finances by developing good accounting procedures.

Doug Hendrix - Chairman
blueharbor bank 

Wes Davidson - Outgoing Chairman
First Flight Bicycles

Josh Speer, Treasurer
Norris, Stewart & Ralston
Jennifer Grant, Secretary
Stanter Consulting

If you are interested in joining one or more of these committees, please complete the application below: