The Town of Homer, in partnership with Main Street Homer, will host a community workshop titled “Imagine Downtown Homer” on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Homer City Hall Auditorium, 400 East Main Street.
The event is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program (TCP) and aims to engage residents and local stakeholders in shaping the future of Downtown Homer. The workshop will focus on three key areas:
Transportation and connectivity
Economic development and the built environment
Culture, parks, and open spaces
Homer is one of six Louisiana Main Street communities selected to participate in the $1.9 million Thriving Communities grant, which provides technical assistance to help small towns plan and advance infrastructure projects. The program supports efforts to improve non-motorized mobility and accessibility, reduce truck traffic and emissions, and expand affordable transportation options.
“This workshop represents an opportunity for our community to come together to determine a shared vision for downtown Homer’s transportation safety and accessibility,” said Jimmy Hand, Town of Homer Alderman and Main Street Homer Board President. “We want citizens to help shape our community’s priorities and future.”
Attendees will participate in interactive, map-based activities designed by the Center for Planning Excellence, allowing them to share experiences and ideas about how to improve Homer’s downtown core. Input will also be gathered on proposed projects and goals identified by the Thriving Communities Steering Committee, a group of local residents guiding the planning process.
In advance of the workshop, two public chalkboards will be installed in Downtown Homer to gather community feedback on what residents love about their town and what improvements they’d like to see.
A digital version of the chalkboard is also available at tinyurl.com/ImagineHomerMainStreet.
Following this event, Main Street Homer will host a second public engagement session in early 2026, followed by a public comment period and a final community presentation later in the year to showcase the project’s progress.
The Thriving Communities initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Louisiana Division of Administration Office of Planning and Budget, with support from Louisiana Main Street, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Louisiana Department of Health, the LSU AgCenter, and Louisiana Economic Development. The consulting team includes the Center for Planning Excellence, Grey Engineering, and Place + Main.
Main Street Homer’s mission is to “revitalize Homer through economic development, historic and cultural preservation, and the advancement of the arts.” As a Main Street America Accredited Program, Homer joins more than 1,200 communities nationwide committed to preservation-based revitalization and economic growth.
For more information about the “Imagine Downtown Homer” workshop, contact Jimmy Hand, Director of Main Street Homer, at jhand@mainstreethomer.com.