About Paducah Main Street
Events & Developments in Downtown Paducah
2023 Accredited Main Street America™
2024 Nationally Accredited Kentucky Main Street Program
2010 Great American Main Street Award Winner
Paducah Main Street unites the community by utilizing the National Main Street Four Point Approach — organization, promotion, design and economic vitality — and focuses on community assets and partnerships to preserve and promote historic Paducah.
We are committed to giving a vibrant downtown experience by supporting local businesses, incentivizing prospective development, promoting historic preservation, and recruiting surrounding community members to experience what downtown has to offer.
Transition to Independent Agency Effective July 1, 2025
At its May 27, 2025, meeting, the Paducah Board of Commissioners authorized a contract between the City of Paducah and Paducah Main Street. The Main Street function is transitioning from a division of the Planning Department to an external agency with a contract for services with the City. This contract for services is effective July 1 and will expire in five years.
As outlined in the contract, the City of Paducah will pay Main Street $400,000 for fiscal year 2026. At the same time, Main Street will be conducting fundraising efforts to offset the need for the entire payment from the city. Future payments by the City to Main Street will be based on fundraising results by Main Street. However, the City’s intent is to lower its financial support as Main Street gains traction as an independently operating organization.
In consideration for the City funding, below are a few of the services outlined in the contract that Main Street shall perform for and on behalf of the City:
- Adhere to the Four Principles: Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, and Promotion embodied through the committee structure of the Main Street model.
- Promote economic development, historic preservation, monetary investment and market downtown Historic Paducah through a yearly work plan following the four-point approach. Maintain liaison with the Kentucky Heritage council and Kentucky Main Street program and prepare for the City reports or materials required by and for the Main Street program to maintain accreditation as applicable.
- Work in partnership with planning staff to administer both the existing Main Street incentive programs in addition to all others created in conjunction with this contract.
- Work in conjunction with various festival boards and other non-profits located in the district, as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide the city with a consensus of downtown stakeholders on actions needed to resolve problems and support the common goals of the downtown district.
As part of the contract, Main Street agrees to work with the City to appoint a Board of Directors of five to seven people. The Board also approved an ordinance at the May 27, 2025, meeting repealing Chapter 2 Division 15 of the Paducah Code of Ordinance related to Main Street.
Committees Breakdown
Organization Committee
Promotions Committee
Economic Vitality Committee
Design Committee
Leadership
DAVID WILKINS
President & Board Chair
David Wilkins is the current President and Board Chair of the Paducah Downtown Development Inc. David served on the previous Paducah Main Street board and led the initiative to privatize the organization. David grew up in the Paducah area and returned to Kentucky a few years ago. He enjoyed a successful career as a global management consultant living in numerous cities and serving clients around the world. Upon retirement, he worked in the Rick Scott administration in Florida, most notably as the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Upon his second retirement, he worked and invested in numerous IT and related startups and started a nonprofit for underprivileged students in Florida with his wife. In Kentucky, he now operates BHIK investments with several local businesses. David is married to Tanya Wilkins, and they have three grown children.
BLAINE MCDONALD
Executive Director
Blaine McDonald is the Executive Director of Paducah Main Street; she’s taking the reins in the preservation of the downtown charm, while working to inspire new growth and energy for downtown. Previously, Blaine was the morning television anchor for WPSD Local 6. Blaine earned the trust of the Paducah community as a thoughtful journalist and engaging storyteller. She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication from the University of Tennessee at Martin, bringing a powerful blend of media expertise, strategic insight, and the power of using communication to reach organizational goals for her work. For the last three years, she’s seen first hand the local love for the downtown area– especially since she’s worked under Downtown Paducah legend, Susie Coiner at BBQ & More. Being from a small town herself, Blaine understands the importance of a booming downtown area, as it’s the heartbeat of the city. Blaine serves as the President-elect of the Charity League of Paducah, and she sits on the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club board. If she’s not out-and-about or traveling, she’s curled up with her golden-doodle, Bazzi!
CARLY DICK
Assistant Director
Carly Dick is the Assistant Director of Paducah Main Street. Born and raised in Paducah, she is invested in Downtown Paducah and what it offers community members and visitors. Carly attended Florida State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Literature, Media, and Culture. She returned to Paducah, where she worked as a multi-platform journalist at The Paducah Sun. Carly gained vital knowledge of Paducah and strong community connections at her previous position. Carly is well poised to support historic preservation and foster economic development downtown, bringing communication expertise, organization, and a deep understanding of community programs. Carly is dedicated to supporting local businesses Downtown Paducah and facilitating growth to benefit residents and visitors for years to come. She strongly believes that a thriving downtown is the heart of a community, attracting families, businesses, and young professionals who will contribute to Paducah’s culture and economy. In her free time, Carly enjoys spending time with family and reading a good book alongside her two cats.
Board Members
BLAKE CALHOUN
Board Treasurer
Blake Calhoun, co-owner of CIRCO Construction, Over/Under, and Stella’s, is the Paducah Main Street Board Treasurer. Blake previously worked at AEP River Operations in Paducah. He ventured into the Downtown Paducah restaurant scene when his commercial construction company, CIRCO Construction, was hired to renovate a space that would become Grill 211. Alongside his business partner, Blake purchased and renovated the two-story property on 3rd and Broadway Street, creating the sports bar Over/Under, which is now a downtown staple fit for any occasion. After the success of Over/Under, Blake and his business partner got started on their second major restaurant venture, Stella’s. Located at 202 Broadway in the historic Cohen building, Stella’s features inspired cuisine and crafted cocktails in an elevated setting. Blake continues to invest in food and entertainment destinations in Downtown Paducah, making the Historic Downtown Commercial District a lively place for residents and visitors.
KAREN TOSH
Pro Bono General Counsel
Karen Tosh, a western Kentucky native, is Paducah Downtown Development’s Board Clerk and Legal Counsel. She has over forty years of legal experience and has served on numerous boards and commissions. She is a past president of the McCracken County Bar Association, and served as Chair of the Education Committee and on the Admissions Committee of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Because she is a licensed airplane pilot, she was appointed by former Gov. Collins to the Kentucky Airport Zoning Commission for a term of four years. Also, she served as Vice Chair of the Truro, Massachusetts Planning Board for six years, and as Treasurer and President of the Board of Truro Center for the Arts for a total of eight years. She incorporated, manages and operates a horse rescue in Gainesville, Florida.
CAROL GAULT
Board Member
Carol Gault began her career in public service over 25 years ago. She is currently serving as the director of the planning department for the City of Paducah. Prior to serving in this position, Carol was a partner in a residential development company. She has restored historic properties in the Downtown district in addition to stick built structures in the fountain avenue district. Gault is a graduate of Murray State University with undergrad in political science with her graduate studies focused on Public Administration. In the fall of 2008 Carol was elected to her first term as a member of the Paducah City Board of Commissioners and has served over ten years as an elected official. Prior to her tenure as commissioner, Gault worked as the Executive director of Paducah Main Street. She was the catalyst behind incentivized economic development projects in the downtown district attracting anchors such as Hooper, Doe’s Eat Place and BBQ and More.
CARRIE HOPPER-SIGNA
Board Member
Carrie Hopper-Signa was born and raised in Paducah. She spent 22 years at West Kentucky Community and Technical College as Dean of Allied Health and Personal Services. Upon retiring from her position in education, Carrie joined her husband, Paul Signa, in the restaurant world, investing in downtown Paducah. Together, they have added to the downtown culinary landscape, starting with Doe’s Eat Place in 2006. In 2023, they opened what is now a downtown staple, The Cork Room. In April of 2025, they purchased Max’s Brick Oven. Carrie is passionate about bringing people of all ages downtown to enjoy what Paducah has to offer. Growing up visiting Paducah’s historic downtown, Carrie hopes to build a legacy here for her children and for the future generations to make memories. Carrie has three children, Lakin, Garrett, and Sophie. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and rooting on Paducah Tilghman Basketball.
ALEXIS MARRS
Board Member
Alexis Marrs is a Realtor and co-founder of Marrs Property Group with Keller Williams Experience Realty. Alongside her husband, Isaac, she leads a dynamic real estate team known for design-forward marketing, community involvement, and a shared passion for preservation. A lifelong Western Kentuckian and magna cum laude graduate of the University of Kentucky, Alexis is passionate about Paducah’s history and the people who make it home. She serves on both the Paducah Main Street Board and the Historic & Architectural Review Commission (HARC), working to support balanced growth, honor the city’s architectural heritage, and contribute to ongoing revitalization efforts. Alexis lives in Lower Town with Isaac and their two dogs, Kira and Nebby.
DEB DOMKE
Board Secretary
Deb Domke is an accomplished business leader with more than 35 years of experience in business management, operations, banking, and entrepreneurship. A native of Western Kentucky and a graduate of Murray State University, Deb is deeply committed to community engagement and economic development throughout Western Kentucky. She serves on multiple boards and committees supporting workforce advancement, healthcare access, and small‑business success. A longtime advocate for downtown revitalization, Deb previously served as the Main Street Director in Mayfield, Kentucky, where she championed historic preservation and community‑centered redevelopment. Today, Deb and her husband Phil own and operate Payroll Vault, a workforce solutions company located in downtown Paducah. Her blend of business expertise, community leadership, and passion for strengthening Western Kentucky continues to shape her work and service.
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