Downtown group hires Main Street program manager

The Downtown Camas Association recently named its first Main Street program manager. Lisa M. Christopher, an award-winning heritage tourism expert, was chosen by the DCA after a recent search. "Lisa has a strong background in heritage tourism and marketing," said Caroline Mercury, DCA board president. "We feel that, as our first paid staff person, she will be able to bring Camas to the next level. We want to keep our historic small-town charm but reinforce the downtown's role as a community gathering place." As the program manager, Christopher will work to build on a strong, grass roots network of merchants and shopkeepers that will focus on a series of activities to attract new interest in the vibrant downtown area. "For more than 100 years, downtown Camas has proven to be the heart of this community," Christopher said. "I'm excited about the chance to help the city and the downtown areas continue on this forward path." A resident of Camas, Christopher has worked locally with several museums, serves on local heritage committees, and, as an independent heritage tourism consultant, has written a book and numerous articles. She also has a background in media, marketing and public relations in Washington State, Oregon and the Northeast. Christopher is contracted to work with the Camas DCA. She is the principal at LMChristopher & Associates, a Camas-based heritage tourism consulting firm. The DCA has existed as an outreach program of the City of Camas to promote and revitalize the downtown area since the 1990s. Earlier this year, the DCA established itself as a separate nonprofit entity with a governing board of directors. The DCA is also a member of the Washington State Main Street Program, a comprehensive, incremental approach to revitalization built around a community's unique heritage and attributes. Using local resources and initiative, the state program helps communities develop their own strategies to stimulate new growth and pride in the heart of the community. DCA's mission is to develop and promote historic Downtown Camas while emphasizing preservation of the city's historic features.

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