By Emily Fitzgerald
Economic vitality, historic preservation, community outreach and business promotion are the four pillars the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) aims to uphold.
One way CDA supports those pillars is by holding events in downtown Centralia.
“Between all the different entities of downtown, between the Juice Box and of course the Downtown Festivals Association and Kiddin Around, there’s always something happening down here,” said CDA Executive Director MacKenzie McGee. “We just try to help work together and try to highlight those other activities too.”
CDA also participates in downtown beautification efforts, including maintaining Pine Street Plaza, organizing cleanup events and hanging flower baskets.
“I feel like we’re making this cohesive community,” McGee said of CDA and partner organizations’ efforts.
This summer, CDA is hosting Music in the Park every second Saturday through September, a Christmas in July Block Party and a Founders Day celebration the second Saturday in August.
On July 4, the CDA hosted a Summerfest celebration in partnership with the City of Centralia, Centralia College and the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
In addition to grants and donations for specific projects, CDA receives funding through the state’s Main Street tax credit incentive program, which allows those that pay Business & Occupation or Public Utility Tax to receive 75% credit for private contributions given to certain downtown organizations.
“It’s a great way to keep your taxes local, rather than just sending it all to the Capitol,” McGee said.
For more information on CDA and upcoming activities, visit www.facebook.com/CentraliaDowntownAssociation.
