ORLANDO, FL – At today’s City Council Meeting, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando City Council voted to approve funding for the addition of The Milk District to the Orlando Main Streets Program.
The Milk District is home to a diverse collection of businesses and community spaces including The Market on South, Orlando Festival Park, The Plaza Live and Se7en Bites. As part of the Orlando Main Streets Program, The Milk District will receive financial assistance, technical support and training to foster growth and prosperity among the small businesses within the district.
“The addition of The Milk District to our Orlando Main Streets program will continue to build upon the successes we have seen in each of our neighborhood commercial corridors – creating jobs and opportunities for our residents,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We are excited to support this unique destination and the local character they bring to our City.”
The Milk District was created as the result of local business owners Tommy “Mot” Barger and Shaun Noonan’s vision for redeveloping the vibrant and thriving community. With the support of community members and the district’s nearly 30 local businesses, Barger and Noonan reached out to the City to begin the Orlando Main Streets application process.
“It has been a long journey with many hurdles to get to this point. Without the excitement of our new board members, becoming a Main Street District would have never become a reality,” said Barger who is also serving as The Milk District’s Board President. “Being a Main Street District will give The Milk District a collective voice within the City.”
The Milk District, which has an already-established membership base, has officially incorporated with the State of Florida, and has raised the necessary first-year funding match to participate in the Orlando Main Streets Program.
The Milk District is located in two of the City’s six districts – District 2, overseen by Commissioner Tony Ortiz, and District 4, overseen by Commissioner Patty Sheehan.
“There is already an incredible synergy among businesses and residents within The Milk District,” said Commissioner Ortiz. “The technical and financial assistance through the Orlando Main Streets Program will only accelerate the revitalization efforts of the The Milk District.”
“The Milk District will be the fourth Main Street in District 4, adding to a very eclectic list of District 4 Main Streets including Downtown South, Mills 50 and Thornton Park District. We couldn’t be happier or more proud of our diverse collection of Main Street Districts,” said Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “I am delighted that on October 10th the Milk District will become the tenth Main Street – 10-10-10! All lucky 10’s for the City of Orlando. Welcome Milk District!”
The Milk District will join the City’s nine existing districts – Audubon Park Garden District, Church Street District, College Park Partnership, Downtown South, Gateway Orlando, Ivanhoe Village, Mills 50, Orlando Tech Association and Thornton Park District. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Orlando Main Streets successes include over $1 billion in public and private investments made in improvements to the district with over 730 new businesses and the creation of nearly 4,500 full and part-time jobs. For more information, visit orlandomainstreets.com.
