Business Owners Give Mixed Reviews Of Downtown Development Efforts

Business owners cite parking, foot traffic, vacancies and communication among their top concerns

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Downtown business owners expressed both support and frustration with the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC), according to the results of a survey presented to the Smithfield Town Council on June 2.

Interim Town Manager Kimberly Pickett presented the findings from a Downtown Business Feedback Survey that was distributed to downtown businesses on March 25. Thirty-four businesses responded, representing approximately 31 percent of downtown business owners. Participants had the option of responding anonymously or identifying themselves.

Pickett described the results as a “mixed bag,” noting that some concerns raised by respondents involved issues beyond the control of the DSDC.

“Heidi is a hard worker. She has dealt with a lot in the last year. No one loves the town more than she does,” Pickett said of DSDC Executive Director Heidi Gilmond, who was hired in 2024.

According to the survey, business owners were generally familiar with the organization. More than half of respondents said they were “very familiar” with DSDC, while another 32 percent reported being “somewhat familiar.” About 64 percent said they interact with or hear from the organization either frequently or occasionally.

However, responses showed mixed opinions regarding the organization’s effectiveness.

When asked to rate DSDC’s overall impact on downtown Smithfield, 53 percent rated it as either excellent or good, while nearly 24 percent rated it poor. Another 15 percent said they were unsure.

Communication also drew mixed reviews. Half of respondents rated DSDC’s communication as excellent or good, while roughly 29 percent rated it poor. Just over 44 percent said they feel they have opportunities to provide input to the organization, while 21 percent said they do not.

The survey identified several recurring concerns among downtown business owners.

Parking and accessibility emerged as the most frequently cited issue, with respondents mentioning parking availability, enforcement and turnover. Many comments focused on courthouse-related parking demand and concerns that prime downtown parking spaces remain occupied throughout the day.

Business owners also expressed concerns about foot traffic and economic activity. According to the staff report, many respondents indicated that while downtown events may bring visitors into the area, those visitors often do not return later as paying customers. Staff noted that much of downtown activity remains tied to courthouse-related traffic.

Vacant storefronts and the mix of businesses downtown were also frequently mentioned. Respondents expressed a desire for additional restaurants, retail stores and destination businesses that would attract visitors beyond courthouse activity. Concerns were also raised about underutilized properties and vacant buildings.

Communication and inclusion were another common theme. Staff reported that some respondents perceived inconsistencies in outreach efforts and felt not all downtown businesses were equally included in DSDC activities and communications.

The survey also revealed concerns about organizational trust and leadership, with staff noting a wide range of opinions expressed in open-ended responses and identifying what was described as a “trust gap” that could affect collaboration and participation among downtown stakeholders.

Other concerns centered on cleanliness, maintenance and perceptions of safety downtown. Pickett noted that several of the issues highlighted by respondents, including parking, homelessness and some maintenance concerns, are matters that fall outside the direct control of the DSDC.

When asked what should be the organization’s top priorities moving forward, marketing downtown ranked first at 71 percent. Increasing foot traffic and hosting events and festivals each received support from 47 percent of respondents, followed by beautification improvements at 44 percent and business recruitment at 41 percent.

Pickett presented a series of proposed benchmarks for future DSDC performance, including increasing business participation, improving communication, boosting positive perceptions of the organization and recruiting additional destination businesses to downtown. The recommendations also call for monthly outreach to business owners, quarterly engagement sessions and efforts to establish measurable foot traffic data.

No action was taken by the Town Council following the presentation.

The DSDC receives funding through the downtown municipal service district tax and is tasked with downtown revitalization efforts, business recruitment, beautification projects, marketing and event promotion.