MSPiB planting more seeds into the future

Yahoo

30-03-2025

Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom is a non-profit powerhouse that makes investments and improvements in the community, with a primary goal of focusing in the downtown area, through beautification, placemaking, and events. The group is used to taking on new projects and experiencing growth years and Executive Director Emily Uldrich says last year was no different.
'2024 was a growth year for us and we are so excited about what we've been able to accomplish,' Uldrich explained. 'We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers. We had over 100 individuals volunteer with our program in 2024 and we could not have made these strides without them.'
One of the areas of massive growth for the nonprofit was the Annual Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom Farmers Market on the Esplanade, which runs May through October.
'We were thrilled with the 2024 farmers market season,' Uldrich said. 'Of course, I have to give all credit to the vendors, because, without the quality of vendor goods, including produce, baked goods, canned goods and crafts, the market would not be what it is. We are proud to display the bounty of culture within our region and all of our amazing entrepreneurs.'
The group offered farmers market awards for the first time last year, had a larger footprint of vendors than ever before, hosted many themed visitor days, and more. Uldrich says they're looking at ways to expand the event even more in 2025, and some ideas are already set in stone.
'We are looking forward to expanding our farmers market voucher program with the help of the Scioto Foundation. We were awarded a Scioto 365 grant, which will double the number of vouchers we will be able to give out. Our Healthy Bucks program expansion will not only provide healthy food to people but it will invest that money back into local business owner pockets that goes back into the economy.'
Another area of growth for the organization included expansions to the non-profits pocket park, 535 on Second.
The park was completed years ago, behind the façade of a collapsed building. The organization received ownership, cleared out trees and weeds, secured the façade, paved the space, added garden beds, steel features, furniture and accomplished a lot in turning it into a space the community has fallen in love with. It has been used for engagements, weddings, parties, and everyday use.
An expansion in the rear of the property had been planned just before Uldrich stepped into her role and she worked with Sue Burke to get it done in 2024. The expansion doubles the size of the park and adds a sensory garden feature. In 2025, the group finalized the fencing around the park and is ready to finalize the expansion.
'The expansion to 535 on Second came after we were sent to a conference in St. Louis and saw a section within an arboretum that was a sensory garden,' Burke said. 'We loved what they accomplished with the space and had been considering what to do with the rest of the property, so we got to work making it happen. It feels great to be moving so fast on the project, now with pavement, flower beds, and a gate. We are looking forward to planting it again this year.'
Burke said the sensory garden appeals to many and it is a unique experience for those in the area.
'The sensory garden is unique and wonderful to all, but we were very happy to have an opening last year with the Scioto County Board of DD, which is a big fraction of the community that can relax and enjoy the garden through different senses in a quiet space,' Burke explained.
Of course, the work for MSPiB is never done, even at 535 on Second and Burke says more is always to come.
'We look forward to continuing to give the space new life, putting in new gardens and flowers, and decorating it for the various seasons,' Burke said. 'It has been such a peaceful place that so many have fallen in love with.'
The group continued many of its events and features throughout the year and closed 2024 by examining applicants for the Building Improvement Grant Program, making awards.
Uldrich said the organization made awards last month and said that, 'Our Building Improvement Grant winners this year are Grace Community Church at Bigelow for $10,000 for the repair of the historic brick chimneys on their roof, $7,500 to the Columbia for façade repairs and restoration, and $7,500 to DW Rentals, which was the Euton Building on Sixth Street.'
The board of directors, executive director and volunteers are ready to carry the organization into another busy year of success.
'Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom is thrilled about the start of 2025,' Uldrich said. 'We had a successful Ellen Vetter Memorial Chocolate Walk with 30 participating downtown businesses and 300 community members walking. We just held our Annual Celebrate Portsmouth Dinner, where we honored our outstanding volunteers of 2024. We had three winners from our Design Committee, better known as the Flower Girls, which included Mimi Clausing, Jackie Lucero and Jani Sturgell. From our Promotions and Events Committee, we honored Sharon Bender. As we work into 2025, we are expanding our collaborations and partnering with the Portsmouth Scioto County Visitor's Bureau, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Shawnee State Park, Scioto Soil and Water Conservation District and the OSU extension office to bring a series of events for the nature of the area that connects downtown. The first was the bald eagle viewing event, which had over 100 people in attendance. We're looking forward to the next event, which is on native pollinating plants in June.'
Stay updated on MSPiB by following them on social media and online at www.mspohio.org.