Press Release: Electrifying Partnership Between Holly Theatre and Downtown Medford Association

IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 30, 2023 – 8:15am – Electrifying Partnership Between Holly Theatre and
Downtown Medford Association

Downtown Medford Association receives a $200,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization
Grant to help restore Holly Theatre!

Two local not-for-profit groups partnered this Spring to bring Medford’s first-ever Oregon Main
Street Revitalization Grant to the historic Holly Theatre. The funding, in the amount of $200,000,
supports crucial electrical upgrades and helps to bring the Holly restoration closer to completion.
Downtown Medford Association’s (DMA) mission is to economically revitalize Medford’s
downtown core. Entertainment venues are crucial to a well-rounded healthy mix of businesses,
amenities, and destinations downtown. DMA is an Affiliate of the Oregon Main Street program,
formalizing that relationship in 2022, and becoming eligible for the Oregon Main Street
Revitalization Grant.

The Oregon Main Street program is a statewide initiative designed to help revitalize downtown
communities wherever they are in their process. The program provides funding and technical
assistance to local communities, helping them to preserve historic buildings, promote economic
development and create vibrant public spaces.

The Downtown Medford Association’s success in securing this grant is a testament to the hard
work and dedication of the Holly Theatre Restoration Committee, as well as the broader
community’s commitment to preserving and the revitalization of downtown Medford.
The grant is an important step forward in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the area and ensure
that the Holly Theatre remains a treasured cultural asset for generations to come.
The historic Holly Theatre restoration project and the commitment of Jefferson Live! (JL!), the notfor-
profit championing the project, has long inspired DMA members, partners, and Board
members. When the grant opportunity became available, their respective teams worked closely
on becoming application-ready.

Downtown Medford Association
Contact: Annie Jenkins, Interim Executive Director
executivedirector@downtownmedford.org
541-941-5204 | www.downtownmedford.org

Holly Theatre
Contact: Shelley Austin, Executive Director
shelley@jeffersonlive.org
541-772-3797 ext 510 | www.hollytheatre.org

“DMA is thrilled to have leveraged our Affiliate status within the first year of our Oregon Main
Street formal standing to facilitate this grant opportunity to a beloved historic theater, bringing
our resident and business community one step closer to seeing their first show at the Holly”,
shared DMA board member Marta Tarantsey.

Shelley Austin, JL! Executive Director, states, “These grants and this kind of partnership between
DMA and Jefferson Live! benefit not only the Holly Theatre but the entire community. When it’s
finished, the Holly will be a cherished jewel in the crown of Medford, attracting tourist dollars and
generating activity downtown. This grant enables us to upgrade electrical systems, allowing us to
provide the best experience for our customers, and protecting our assets and careful historic
restoration with reliable electrics.”

In February and March, the two organizations’ teams rolled up their sleeves to research all that
being an OMS grant recipient would entail. They outlined an agreement detailing their respective
roles and responsibilities, discussed plans for promoting the grant and engaging the community,
then succeeded in writing a winning grant.

DMA and the Holly teams encourage you to learn more about each organization, and to sign up
for their newsletters. For the Holly Theatre, see https://www.hollytheatre.org/. For the DMA, see
https://downtownmedford.org/.

On June 3rd, the Holly will open its doors from 11am to 1pm for the public at the Open House,
regularly scheduled each first Saturday of the month. Join us to tour the theater, learn a little
history of the building, and hear what’s next in the construction plans. A DMA representative will
be available to provide more insights on this exciting partnership and grant process. You can
learn about the electric upgrades provided by the grant and ask all the questions you have.
We will be available to meet with press from 2:30-3:30pm on Tuesday, May 30th at the Holly
Theatre (226 W. 6th Street, Medford).

ABOUT
The Downtown Medford Association (DMA) is a 501(C)6 non-profit organization working to build
partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders to promote downtown economic
development through the lens of historic preservation.
Jefferson Live! LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the nonprofit JPR Foundation, Inc. Its mission
is to foster the arts, provide cultural enrichment and enhance economic opportunities in
Southern Oregon and Northern California through the operation and programming of cultural
facilities.