Marianna City Commission Approves One-Year Main Street–Chamber Merger

Nikisha Milsapp

By: Shelia Mader

The Marianna City Commission held a special meeting to consider merging Main Street Marianna with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The item was prompted by the recent departure of Main Street Marianna Executive Director Nikisha Milsapp, who accepted the role of executive director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

City Manager Williams Long explained the proposal as a return to a previous arrangement between the city and the Chamber.

“This is essentially a remarriage, if you will, of our Main Street position with the Chamber of Commerce,” Long said. “Many of you remember that this union existed in the past before it dissolved for various reasons.”

Long said Milsapp had strong work ethics during her time leading Main Street Marianna and expressed interest in remaining involved in a guiding role. Her transition to the Chamber opened the door to discussions about reuniting the two organizations.

Long said he, City Clerk/Finance Director Kim Applewhite, CRA staff, Chamber Board President Kevin Yoder, and Chamber staff member Amanda Parrish met four to five times to work through the details.

The proposal allows the city to contract Main Street functions to the Chamber for one year at a cost of $55,000, which Long said would result in some savings for the city, primarily by eliminating employee benefit costs.

“We want to try this for a year,” Long said. “If it doesn’t work, we’ll reevaluate nine or ten months in and determine whether it should dissolve and come back under the city’s umbrella.”

CRA funds would remain under city control. Expenditures from the CRA account would continue to require City Commission approval, ensuring no commingling of funds or spending outside public oversight.

Commissioners asked whether Milsapp would continue directly in the Main Street role. Long clarified that she would not.

“The Chamber will hire a new Main Street staff member who will handle day-to-day operations, events, and programming,” Long said. “That person will be guided by Nikisha because of her experience, but Main Street will still function as Main Street and report to its own board.”

The position would be a Chamber employee and treated as a grant-funded role. A February 1 transition date was discussed.

Applewhite noted that certain fundraising responsibilities would shift under the new structure. Events such as fireworks, which are not significant revenue generators, would no longer be staffed by Main Street employees.

“Fireworks is not a big money maker,” Applewhite said. “We budget for it knowing we don’t make much, if anything, after expenses like bands, restrooms, and logistics.”

City officials emphasized that larger events such as the Crawfish Festival would continue, though success would depend on effort and volunteer involvement.

After discussion, Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to approve the one-year contract with the Chamber, seconded by Commissioner Williams. The motion passed 4–1, with Commissioner Rick Pettis voting against it.

Long noted that Pettis had previously expressed concerns, which he acknowledged as valid.

“This is a trial,” Long said. “It may prove to be a great idea, or it may not. Either way, we’ll reevaluate.”

Following the meeting, Milsapp reflected on the transition and future plans.

“Over the past two years, our Board of Directors of Main Street Marianna, along with its committees, volunteers, merchants, business owners, and partners, have worked incredibly hard to restore, strengthen, and re-energize the organization,” Milsapp said. “There was a shared commitment to ensure this momentum was not lost during the transition.”

She said continuity was the primary goal, with projects and events already underway.

“After thoughtful discussion and collaboration, the Main Street Marianna Board and the City of Marianna determined that the best path forward was a strategic restructuring that allows Main Street Marianna to operate under the umbrella of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce,” she said.

Milsapp said the Chamber plans to hire dedicated staff to continue Main Street’s mission and thanked city leaders, volunteers, and business owners for their support.

“This partnership positions both organizations to build on recent successes and continue strengthening not only our downtown, but the broader business community of Jackson County,” she said.