As she sat on a Main Street bench the other day, Amy Cahillane smiled when asked if she’s optimistic about downtown Northampton.
“Of course. Look at it. I think downtown is thriving and beautiful and there are a lot of new businesses coming in, new things coming up. I think it’s an amazing time to be downtown.” (To hear more of that interview, see the video on GazetteNET.com.)
As the Downtown Northampton Association’s first and only hire, being a mercantile cheerleader-in-chief goes with the territory. But she is right that this city center — even with its commercial challenges — has a proven appeal, earning its reputation as a New England destination.
Still, as she makes her rounds downtown, Cahillane knows full well she will hear from shop owners that they need help. Margins are tight and rents high. Foot traffic is unpredictable and needs shoring up. While spring brings an influx of visitors, some retailers say sales can be sluggish in winter.
Cahillane’s one-woman campaign can only do so much, as the DNA sets out to provide shared downtown services, event planning and marketing formerly handled by the Business Improvement District with a much bigger budget. In this first year, the DNA will have to prove its worth, because all contributions are voluntary. Cahillane must stretch her organization’s modest budget for the greatest possible impact. In an interview with the Gazette last week, she brimmed with ideas and confidence.
Four decades ago, the can-do attitudes of pioneering entrepreneurs awoke the potential of a sleepy former mill town. That spirit remains intact and Cahillane is determined to build upon it. It’s a cause worth investing in. For information on how to donate and get involved, visit northamptondna.com.