Leading with Momentum and Purpose
February is often associated with love, and in Downtown DeLand and at MainStreet DeLand Association, that love is showing up as momentum. I’ve just returned from the Florida Main Street Winter Quarterly Workshop in Crestview, FL, where I spent time connecting with peers, learning best practices, and advocating for Main Streets in Tallahassee. It’s energizing to bring that knowledge and insight back to our downtown while also sharing DeLand’s successes as the poster town for Community Reinvestment and Main Streets. I’m excited to welcome a contingent from Dade City, FL to tour our downtown gem so they can apply the Four Point Approach in their own historic commercial district.
Special thanks to our community partners, the West Volusia Historical Society, for the very special recognition of MainStreet’s 40 years. This recognition at their annual meeting was especially meaningful coming from one of the organizations which worked so hard to ensure MainStreet had the community support to begin this work. What a full-circle moment!
Our 2026 Board of Directors is officially hitting the ground running. With fresh energy and a clear focus on downtown vitality, we’re already deep into planning, partnership-building, and long-term visioning for DeLand’s historic core. We are also fully immersed in our district expansion and master planning efforts. These initiatives are critical to ensuring that downtown DeLand continues to grow thoughtfully, remains economically resilient, and reflects the needs of our community well into the future.
We are in the final stages of preparation for the DeLand Bike Rally, taking place on February 28th. This signature event brings energy, visitors, and economic impact to downtown, and we’re excited to once again welcome riders and guests from around the world. Plan to join us for the (very loud) family-friendly event.
Looking ahead to March, MainStreet DeLand will be hosting a downtown property owner mixer on March 10th. This gathering is designed to strengthen relationships, share information, and foster collaboration among those invested in downtown’s future. Property owners interested in attending are encouraged to reach out to our office for details.
And yes. There are some very exciting announcements coming later this year ... including our search for our next dynamic Assistant Director. We have received submissions from some fantastic candidates. I had an idea of how this journey would go, but this community continues to amaze me. I’m so eager for this next phase in MainStreet’s life. I can’t wait to share more as this and other plans develop!
In 2025, our Board reviewed our Vision and Mission Statements and adopted never-before-held Core Values...
Core Values:
Community, Responsibility, Commitment
Vision Statement:
DeLand will have a thriving Historic Downtown built by its people; where history is cherished, local opportunity blooms, and everyone belongs.
Mission Statement:
Nurturing the Heartbeat of DeLand, for all.
These new statements and values are not only ringing true for who we’ve been, but also for where we’re going. My hope is that we embody everything our forebears dreamt for this organization and for Downtown DeLand. But we can’t do it without your support. It takes the community to do the community work. So I’m asking you to join us! Come volunteer for an event or a committee. Make a financial donation to our cause or sponsor an event or project. And, of course, become a member. So that we can ensure another 40 years of welcoming everyone to the healthy Heartbeat of DeLand.
I’m so grateful for the love in this community.
See you Downtown DeLand.
Stephanie Garcia Mullins
Executive Director
MainStreet DeLand Association