More Minden businesses may now qualify for state and federal grants and other assistance following an expansion of the Minden Main Street District, one of several developments highlighted during the district’s quarterly meeting Wednesday, September 16, at Minden City Hall.
Main Street and Economic Development Director Sarah Overall said the district boundaries had not been updated since the Main Street program began in the 1980s. The expanded district now includes the opposite side of Sheppard Street, Murrell Street, portions of Main Street and Broadway to First Methodist Church, and West Union Street to the creek, encompassing properties including the Fuller-White House and The Villas at Spanish Court.
“So that’s good,” Overall said. “It’s good for the businesses that are in the community, and it shows growth here.”
The expanded boundaries are significant because some state and federal grant programs require businesses or properties to be located within a designated district to qualify.
Overall also reported that Minden Main Street has raised approximately $115,000 since October 2025, an amount she described as unprecedented for the local program. The Minden City Council and mayor have also increased the Main Street development budget.
“Now we actually have a budget that is competitive to other communities our size throughout the state and region,” Overall said.
Overall reviewed several accomplishments from the past three months, including the America 250 and Minden 190 celebrations in June. The weekend was organized through a collaboration among Main Street, the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission, and Greater Minden Chamber.
“That was a huge weekend in downtown Minden,” Overall said. “Thankfully, that was something that the Chamber, Tourism, and myself, we all came together to make happen. And that’s going to be the goal moving forward.”
Overall said increased collaboration will allow the organizations to share resources and expenses while producing larger community events.
Other recent accomplishments included the conclusion of the 2026 Bites & Beats series, hosting several association meetings in Minden, and Overall representing the city at the Louisiana NOW Pavilion in Washington, D.C. Minden Main Street was also selected to participate in the Well-Ahead pilot program and recently received an award from the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation. Brick Street Coffee also recently represented Louisiana small businesses at the U.S. Capitol.
Main Street is working with city officials to streamline the permitting and occupational license process, including moving toward electronic versions.
Volunteer participation has also increased, with approximately 50 volunteers assisting with events during the past three months.
“There’s still a buzz,” Overall said. “People are seeing all the things that are happening, and they want to be a part of it.”
Additional projects are underway to make downtown more pedestrian-friendly and encourage visitors to move between Main and Broadway streets. Plans include an “umbrella alley” between the former ParTEA Room location, now CASA, and Hearth & Main.
Another alley near the Imperial Hotel and Logan McConathy is planned to receive string lights, benches, greenery, and potentially a water fountain.
“That’s going to just help promote foot traffic between the two streets,” Overall said.
The Skele-Tour fundraiser is also gearing up, with proceeds helping offset the cost of the self-watering hanging flower baskets installed downtown.
Main Street is working with the Minden Farmers Market to allow vendors to accept SNAP benefits and benefits available to senior citizens. The market has also hired a consultant as it explores expansion.
Looking toward fall, Overall said Main Street and its partners want to capitalize on the growing popularity of fall travel, particularly as more schools incorporate fall breaks into their calendars.
“Our plan moving forward is to market October as a whole for the parish,” Overall said. “Now all the schools have a fall break, so the travel for a fall trip or destination — to find a pumpkin patch and a pumpkin spice latte — it’s huge now. So we want to lean in on that and really try to capture the tourists coming to our community, because it’s going to help all of the tax numbers, but it’s going to help you all as well for profit.”
The approach of treating events as a season rather than individual weekends will extend into Christmas.
Overall said Christmas in Minden, traditionally centered around a two-day festival, will become a season-long celebration beginning November 20. Main Street, Tourism, and the Chamber will continue working together on the festivities.
“It’s going to turn into a season now versus just a two-day festival, and it starts on November 20th,” Overall said.
Organizers plan to launch Christmas decorations throughout the district in conjunction with the lighting of the city’s Christmas displays.
Among the new attractions this year will be an ice skating rink at the Minden Civic Center. Organizations will be able to use the rink for fundraising activities, with it opening to the public on the night of the tree-lighting ceremony November 20.
Main Street is also leasing additional Christmas light displays, which Overall said can be changed from year to year.
Traditional Christmas in Minden activities will be spread throughout the season, including the Live Nativity, Tour of Homes, Reindeer Run, hayrides, Wine Walk, and Christmas parade. Applications are still being accepted for the Tour of Homes, including newly constructed homes.
Overall also issued a call for residents to help with the expanded holiday schedule.
“There’s lots of moving parts to make this season a success,” Overall said. “And so we need volunteers.”
Overall said the continued growth of the district, increased community involvement, and collaboration among local organizations are intended to build on downtown’s recent momentum while providing more opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors.
Information about upcoming Main Street events is available through the Webster Parish tourism website at visitwebster.net.