SELMA — If a city builds its downtown, people will come.

That’s the message from Bob Wilson, executive director of Mississippi Main Street Association and guest speaker at a half-day workshop held at the St. James Hotel on Friday.

The worksop was sponsored by Main Street Alabama and the Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area.

Wilson pointed out to about 100 people attending from all over the state that people want to know what’s in it for them when emphasis is placed on the downtown area.

“Your downtown is a reflection of what other people think of you,” he said.

Strong Main Street programs bring in people to the core of downtown by offering shopping and entertainment experiences in a comfortable and safe surrounding, Wilson explained.

As downtown flourishes through the program, more merchants catch on and begin locating downtown.

But that doesn’t alienate malls and retail outlets on the outskirts because people coming and going will stop there as well, he said.

Creating a viable Main Street program takes public and private support which brings in everyday people as well, Wilson added.

He showed some examples of that support. In Greenwood, Miss., Fred Carl of Viking Range worked with Main Street to develop most of downtown into a tourist destination with Viking headquarters, a hotel and spa and a bookstore. Other businesses grew up around the improvements, such as antique stores and dress shops.

Those attending the luncheon and workshops were impressed by Gibson’s presentation, including Candace Johnson, director of tourism for Selma and Dallas County.

“I was very pleased to see this conference being hosted in historic downtown Selma. The speakers were very informative, and I think all who attended benefited from it.”

Johnson pointed to a workshop by Mary Jeanne Packer, called “Enhancing the Visitor Experience in Your Community.”

“One of my favorite points in this workshop was the emphasis she placed on heritage tourism,” Johnson said. “visitors to the Black Belt area want an interactive experience when they visit us. They want to go to the museums to hear the stories of the people there; not to see artifacts with labels of who donated it. They want to purchase local products and dine in locally owned restaurants, not chains. Selma was the perfect setting for this workshop, and I look forward to us playing host to many more.”

Sheryl Smedley, director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said she heard what Gibson said about Maint Street being the revitalization of traditional historic districts.

“It is the heart and soul of the community,” she said. “It is the hottest economic/retail tool in the nation overall.”