[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ess than six months after announcing Buda’s inclusion in the Texas Main Street program, Buda has hired a Main Street Program Manager.
According to a city of Buda press release, Maggie Gillespie, who was the San Marcos Main Street coordinator, was hired as Buda’s Main Street Program Manager.
Buda’s Assistant City Manager Chance Sparks said in a statement that the hiring of a Main Street manager “is an important critical step as Buda joins the Texas Main Street program.”
In late 2015, Buda was designated an official Texas Main Street city by the Texas Historical Commission.
“Gillespie will lead the city’s efforts in the presentation and revitalization of historic downtown Buda,” Sparks said.
According to the release, Gillespie holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences from Texas State University and has a background working for the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce (KACC), as well as Hays CISD and Texas State.
“I am most excited about getting to meet all of the downtown businesses and property owners,” Gillespie said in the press release, “Old town Buda has so much charm and I get to tell the world about it.”
 Maggie Gillespie, Buda Main Street program manager
Sparks said Gillespie, who will begin her job Jan. 24, brings “strong experience” from the San Marcos Main Street program as its coordinator, along with her past experience and “collegiate community relations.”
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge expressed his appreciation for Gillespie’s involvement as the new Main Street Manager. Ruge added that a nine member advisory board would soon be joining her. Council appointed members to the board Tuesday.
“We’re lucky to have her come to Buda from a bigger city,” Ruge said,
In the release Sparks said Gillespie, along with the advisory board, will help Buda “build a framework to positively influence and impact the economic health and preservation of historic downtown Buda.”
During the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce’s first industry round table meeting, Buda Tourism Director Lysa Gonzales lauded Gillespie’s hire.
“What’s great about Maggie’s job is that it will be like having another person doing tourism, but specifically focusing on downtown tourism,” Gonzales said.
As Main Street Manager, Gillespie will provide more attention to the Main Street Program and act as a liaison between Main Street businesses.
“Her (Gillespie) passion, interest and enthusiasm for assisting downtowns in revitalization will help focus energy and efforts to continue to make downtown Buda the economic, social and cultural center of the community,” Sparks said in the press release.
