In June of 2024, Swiss Bear gained a new Executive Director, Karen Sullivan. Karen grew up in Mt. Olive, NC and graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Communications. She started her career in corporate marketing and advertising with an expertise in Brand Management. With a personal commitment to volunteer work, Karen felt the pull to shift her career to nonprofit work and has worked as the marketing director for two international nonprofits and Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County. Karen also spent 6 years as a small business owner in Goldsboro, NC, but missed nonprofit work and decided to refocus. In her spare time, Karen enjoys painting, metal detecting and catering to her furry best friend Ruby.
Swiss Bear facilitates the development of the greater downtown area through leadership and planning that empowers community stakeholders to promote and enhance New Bern’s unique cultural and natural resources. Building off four decades of success, this model harnesses the social, economic, physical, and cultural assets that set a place apart, and ultimately leads to tangible outcomes that benefit the entire community.
Swiss Bear, Inc. is the Main Street organization for the City of New Bern and is responsible for leading the economic development of Greater Downtown New Bern. The Main Street approach is a common-sense, strategy driven framework that guides community-based revitalization efforts. As New Bern’s Main Street organization, Swiss Bear has four standing committees that plan and develop the programs and initiatives as set forth in its annual work plan. The committees include Economic Vitality, Organization, Promotion, and Design and are represented in our project working committees. These committees are made up of Board Members, funding partners, and Greater Downtown business owners, property owners, workers, and residents.
American Express and Main Street America recently announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. Two of our Middle Street businesses, Living Well Down East and Studio M, were winners this year! The grant provided them with funding to upgrade their buildings and service areas.
Living Well Down East, owned by Judy B. Johnson, will be using this grant to improve customer’s shopping experience by removing the old carpet and replacing it with beautiful new flooring, as well as remodeling the check-out counter to improve the traffic flow.
Studio M, owned by Michaelé Rose, has updated her facade as well as expand Studio M’s gallery space by 200 square feet to help serve the needs in New Bern’s growing art community. She says, “A huge thank you to American Express and Main Street America for creating this grant program to help small businesses like myself to succeed. None of this would be possible without all of the many wonderful locals that have become patrons and friends and the many visitors who come from all over the world to support, explore, and enjoy our lovely Downtown Historic New Bern.”
Another way that Swiss Bear supports downtown businesses is through our Property Enhancement Grant program. In 2024 we have already committed to over $10,000 to our downtown business owners for facade improvements and signage updates.
Swiss Bear is a 501(c)(3) entity that is led by a Board of Directors composed of volunteers representing specific stakeholders in Greater Downtown. Swiss Bear also has representation on the Municipal Service District (MSD) steering committee for downtown, and the New Bern Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Swiss Bear receives operational funding by managing MumFest under the leadership of Events Director, Ann Marie Byrd. MumFest is New Bern’s two-day downtown festival which is held annually during the second weekend of October, generating a direct impact on business sales in New Bern and Craven County of nearly 2 million dollars annually. Swiss Bear also receives operational funding through sponsorships, grants, donations, and investment revenue.
To volunteer for Swiss Bear and their fundraising efforts for downtown development, please email either director@swissbear.org or events@swissbear.org.