Downtown groups join forces

Downtown Mansfield, Inc., Historic Mansfield Business Association, Inc. and The LOT Downtown, three 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in the historic district of Mansfield, announced Monday the combination of their organizations under the umbrella of DMi.

“From inception, each of our organizations has shared a vision of a revitalized historic downtown district, yet with three different approaches: business cultivation, placemaking and entertainment, and infrastructure improvements”, said Dave Goodwin, president of Downtown Mansfield, Inc., which begin in 2008.

The mission of the HMBA has always been to encourage, foster, and strengthen the Mansfield community by promoting a beneficial business climate and quality of life in Historic Mansfield. Through the membership of downtown businesses, the HMBA has acted as a listener and a voice representing the Historic Mansfield business community. Now as a part of DMi, HMBA plans to strengthen that focus.

“The HMBA was created to organize and support the businesses in downtown as they work toward building a vibrant, stable historic district. Over the years, the HMBA has shared many projects with The LOT and DMi,” said Amy Brothers, president of HMBA. "Combining efforts with these organizations, under the umbrella of DMi, makes good business sense for our organizations and the community.”

Since 2016, The LOT Downtown has been the home of many Mansfield events, including free high production value concerts, movies, markets and festivals for the community as well as providing affordable space for other organizations to host their events in downtown Mansfield.

“We built The LOT Downtown to create a much-needed large gathering space in our historic district, and to provide a top-tier outdoor entertainment venue”, said Justin Gilmore, board president of The LOT Downtown. “Combining our organizational efforts with DMi and HMBA will allow us to share valuable strengths and make The LOT an even more valuable part of the heart of Mansfield.”

Additional information regarding the combining of these organizations is forthcoming and will be communicated in the coming months. Until announced otherwise, the events, meetings, etc. from any of these organizations are planned as scheduled.

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