Around Amherst: Katie Streater joins BID as new marketing and communications manager

AMHERST — A new marketing and communications manager has started at the Amherst Business Improvement District, with the role focused on social media strategy, promoting downtown businesses and supporting community events.

Katie Streater recently joined the organization, bringing a background in marketing, partnerships and community engagement across both national and local organizations, with previous work at Brand USA, Destination DC and FRESHFARM.

“I look forward to working alongside local businesses and partners to celebrate Amherst’s unique character and to create welcoming, engaging experiences for residents and visitors alike,” Streater said in a statement.

Streater, who holds a master of tourism administration from George Washington University, succeeds Robert Allingham. He left the position in January to work at Bigelow Tea in Fairfield, Connecticut.

John Page, executive director of the Amherst BID, said Streater will lead downtown marketing campaigns and support community events that bring people together throughout the year.

“Her background in tourism and destination marketing will be a game-changer as Amherst continues to promote its arts and culture, global dining scene, retail shops, salons and more,” Page said.

Upcoming events include the Downtown Dessert Crawl on March 28 at 3 p.m.; the Global Village Festival, in partnership with the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department and the Amherst Literary Tour with the Mass Center for the Book, both on April 11; and Arts Night Plus on April 23.

CDBG funding

In addition to recommending $568,750 for the third phase of a multi-use trail along North Pleasant Street, north of the University of Massachusetts campus, the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee is selecting the five organizations that will share $175,000 in social service funding.

The Amherst Survival Center, Family Outreach of Amherst, the Amherst Mobile Market, Center for New Americans and Big Brothers Big Sisters were chosen, reflecting the organizations that the committee members believe are serving the most people and need in the community.

Committee member Nat Larson said the decision strived to have a balance between food, keeping people housed and long-term needs, such as acquiring language skills.

“It seems we are covering a spectrum here,” said Zoy Soulis, who chairs the committee. “I think the top five we have right now are covering a wide spectrum.”

“I like that we have a balance of different types of projects,” said committee member Mayen Thorsen.

None of the nonprofits will get all of what they asked for, and to get their requests down from a combined $208,966 to $175,000, the committee decided to give a larger percentage of the request to those with higher rankings. This meant the Amherst Survival Center will get 95% of its ask, or $68,214.

While Amherst Mobile Market is only getting 80% of its request, or $23,846, Larson said this helps to validate the work it is doing.

On the Same Page

“Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America,” by Leila Philip, is this year’s On the Same Page community read for the Jones Library, with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment acting as a community partner.

The author event will be held at the Munson Memorial Library Hall on March 25 at 7 p.m., but before then will be other activities.

On Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the North Amherst Library, will be “Beaver Tales: Native Traditions and Colonial Relations,” a talk by Margaret M. Bruchac that considers shifts in Indigenous approaches to hunting beaver in the Connecticut River valley.

Two days later, at 10 a.m. at Wentworth Farm Conservation Area at the Old Farm Road entrance, will be a Family Beaver StoryWalk and Program led by Katie Koerten of the Hitchcock Center. Later that day, at 3 p.m at the 101 University Drive’s program room, will be a book discussion led by Jones Library staff member Linda Wentworth, joined by Conservation Agent Erin Jacque.

Flooding and culverts

A meeting focused on problem areas for flooding and how to develop a resilient plan for the future takes place at Town Hall Monday at 6 p.m.

The public is invited to the community discussion, which is part of a larger initiative to improve the region’s Foirt River watershed.

Leverett caucus

Leverett Democrats will hold a caucus Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at Leverett Town Hall to select three delegates and an alternate to the Democratic State Convention.

All registered Democrats in Leverett are eligible to participate.

For more information on the caucus or on the Leverett Town Democratic Committee, contact Barbara Tiner at BJTiner@icloud.com or 413-441-3708.

Meetings

SATURDAY: Four Towns Meeting, 9 a.m., middle school library.

MONDAY: Design Review Board, 4:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Amherst School Committee, 6:30 p.m., budget hearing, Town Room, Town Hall.

WEDNESDAY: Personnel Board, 10 a.m., and Joint Capital Planning Committee, 6 p.m.

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