About Conway Downtown Alive

Conway Downtown Alive aims to stimulate economic development, encourage historic preservation, and promote the vitality of Downtown Conway.

 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation developed the Main Street program through its National Main Street Center. In 1985, South Carolina joined the revitalization movement and established a statewide Main Street program. In 1986, Conway was chosen, along with 3 other cities- Aiken, Beaufort and Georgetown, as a founding program for Main Street SC, making Conway Main Street USA one of the oldest Main Street programs in the state.

A group of local citizens concerned about the economic health of Downtown Conway founded Conway Main Street, U.S.A., a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors and a staff Executive Director. The Main Street program was a comprehensive, incremental approach to regenerating the economic vitality of downtown commercial districts, built around a community’s unique heritage and attributes. Using local resources and initiative, the Main Street program helps communities develop strategies to stimulate long-term economic growth and pride in the community center — Downtown. This is done through several platforms – promotions, physical improvements and economic restructuring.

In June 2011, Conway Main Street USA stepped out from the South Carolina Main Street Program to form Conway Downtown Alive. CDA utilizes the Main Street approach to continue promoting and preserving Downtown Conway and remains a partner of the National Main Street Center. Conway Downtown Alive hosts over 25 events days annually and offers classes, grants, networking and promotion opportunities for the businesses in the Historic District.

Grants

Conway Downtown Alive offers granting programs for façade improvements and rent assistance.

CDA Grants

Scholarships

Conway Downtown Alive offers two scholarships, the Carol Hoyt Scholarship and the David Summers Scholarship.  

scholarship info

Our Team

Conway Downtown Alive Offices
428 Main St.
Conway, SC 29526
843-248-6260

Hillary Howard

Executive Director
hillaryhoward@conwayalive.com

Kelli Thomas

Communications Manager
marketing@conwayalive.com

Ann Myers

Program & Facility Manager
staff@conwayalive.com

Brittnee Backes

Events & Promotions Manager
events@conwayalive.com

Rochelle Hamilton

Visitor Center Associate
staff@conwayalive.com

Susan Slavin

Visitor Center Associate
staff@conwayalive.com

John Fleischman

Special Event Associate
staff@conwayalive.com

Board of Directors

  • Daved Kinard, President
  • Travis Overton, Vice President
  • Lisa Thompkins, Secretary
  • Katie Brookshire
  • Catherine Dingle
  • William Goldfinch
  • Ginny Horowitz
  • Renee Powell
  • Tracy Vereen

Board Meetings

Board meetings are generally held the third Tuesday of each month at 428 Main St., Conway, SC 29526, at 8:00 a.m.

The CDA Board Retreat is July 16, 2024 from 9:00am until 12:00pm at Coastal Carolina University.

Committee Meetings

  • Organization Committee Meeting
    4/15/24 · 9:00am
  • Promotions Committee Meeting
    4/17/24 · 5:15pm
  • Economic Vitality Committee
    Chanti's · 104 Laurel St
    4/23/24 · 4:00pm
  • Annual Meeting
    428 Main Street
    6/18/24 · 5:30pm
Conway Downtown Alive Artwork

Downtown state of mind.

Conway Downtown Alive aims to stimulate economic development, encourage historic preservation, and promote the vitality of downtown Conway.

Discover the hidden treasures of Downtown Conway!

Visitor Center