Texas Main Street Program managers and coordinators from 50 cities have been in Beeville this week for the 2009 Texas Main Street Summer Workshop.

One of the newcomers to the program this year was Michelle Wright, Beeville’s new Main Street manager.

She is replacing Molly Young, who presented a bid for the workshop, got it located in Beeville and coordinated the event.

Young told the City Council earlier this year that the event was expected to fill most of the city’s available hotel and motel rooms.

Debra Farst, state coordinator for the Texas Main Street Program, was here from her office in Austin and was overseeing much of the program for those in attendance.

Although some Main Street officials have been in the city all week, the workshop itself started on Wednesday afternoon right after lunch. Those attending got right to work hearing discussions on topics like business retention in a down economy, theater restoration, farmers markets and a legislative update from Terry Colley, deputy executive director for the Texas Historical Commission.

The group went on to attend programs on topics such as retail promotions that work, working with the SBA and SBDC, having it all downtown, creation and utilization of successful tax increment financing and diversifying a business in tough economic times.

Beeville and the Coastal Bend provided interesting tours and side trips for the Main Street crowd. They toured the Bee County Courthouse, Rialto Theater, Beeville Art Museum and Joe Barnhart Bee County Library.

Thursday afternoon the group toured many of the sights and attractions in Goliad and enjoyed a barbecue dinner in that city before returning to Beeville.

The group also had an opportunity to be updated on how several businesses in Beeville have enjoyed success and how some have taken advantage of the Main Street Program to upgrade their facades.