Boosters of Downtown Dade City Main Street portrayed the group’s demise last week as a case of mission accomplished. Certainly, this agency has much of which to be proud, but the end can be more accurately described as resource competition.
Main Street and other non-profit groups find themselves competing for financial support in a still tepid economy that has witnessed a shrinking pool of community philanthropy. Likewise, government subsidies are no longer guaranteed and could even be reversed under an idea floated by Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez. She suggested last year that Main Street, the chamber of commerce and others pay a festival fee to the city to offset the municipal costs of supporting downtown events.