The Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) is searching for a new executive director after longtime leader Amanda Elliott accepted a position with the related National Main Street Center, RMSI announced today.
Elliott will serve as senior program officer and director of California programs with the national organization, where she will provide technical support and guidance to communities throughout the state facing similar challenges as Richmond’s downtown.
In 12 years as executive director of RMSI, Elliott is credited with aiding the organization’s downtown Rivhmond revitalization efforts, including inplementing the farmers’ market, the Spirit & Soul Festival, Music on the Main concerts, Healthy Village Festivals, and weekly fitness classes. She collaborated with the city to start the Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program, Art in the Windows, and the Neighborhood Ambassador Program.
In 2012, Elliott led the formation of the Downtown Richmond Property Business Improvement District (DRPBID), which was renewed in 2017 and has leveraged $200 million in public and private investments that have provided sustained funding for the organization through 2022, according to RMSI Board Chair Xavier Abrams.
Elliott was also lauded for helping to bring partners together to create the Richmond Business Hub in the long-vacant space in the groundfloor level of the BART parking garage on Macdonald Avenue. The space now features the new Richmond Food Hall and the soon-to-launch CoBiz Richmond, a two-story co-working, business incubator and community center launching with support from a $1 million grant from Chevron’s eQuip Richmond economic revitalization initiative.
“Richmond Main Street has made significant positive changes downtown under her leadership” Abrams said.
In her new role at the National Main Street Center, Elliott says she will continue to support RMSI as well as other commercial districts throughout the state and nation.
She said her time at RMSI has prepared her to work with diverse stakeholders “who sometimes find themselves at odds, but ultimately want the same things a clean, safe, vibrant commercial district that serves the entire community.”
RMSI is accepting applications for the role of executive director through Oct. 14. For a copy of the full job description visit www.richmondmainstreet.org.
