ALABAMA BRIGHT LIGHTS: Helping to warm hearts of visitors and residents in Dothan
Above: Mit Kirkland walks past one of the murals in downtown Dothan. (Karim Shamsi-Basha/Alabama NewsCenter)
Mit Kirkland wants to see Dothan’s downtown thrive from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Mit Kirkland is in the heart-warming business.
Kirkland, a board member with the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DDRA), is in his 50s but with the energy of a 30-year-old. He was proud to show me the new and transformed buildings strung along the quaint downtown area. It looked friendly and inviting, with older two-story buildings renovated with modern accents and gorgeous murals everywhere.
“When I walk down Foster Street and see what it looks like today compared to years ago, it just warms my heart. I hope it warms the hearts of those who call Dothan home and those who are visiting,” Kirkland said.
Kirkland is the co-owner of Scenic Cable Network & Productions. His professional broadcasting career includes programs on Fox News, the Food Network, the History Channel, the Montel Williams Show and the Discovery Channel just to name a few. Now he produces local and national programming in his office in downtown Dothan, an area for which he has a particular passion. He is involved in a plethora of nonprofits, including the Downtown Group, the Wiregrass Area Food Bank, Air Transportation Force and Spirit of Service Committee.
“Dothan has always been home to me. Growing up here, I have seen it go through good and bad times. But one thing about Dothan, it continues to grow,” Kirkland said. “I want to make it the best place it can be. I want it to be a place where young people can come back to after college and start careers, and a place people are proud to call home.”
At his post with the DDRA, he works toward lofty goals like developing a loft district, a children’s museum, corporate and business partners, acquiring properties, a banner project, a boutique hotel, beautification, safety and more things on a long wish list.
“It’s a hard job being a volunteer because you face many obstacles, but when you actually see what gets accomplished, it makes it all worthwhile,” Kirkland said.
The DDRA became active in 2007 when Mayor Pat Thomas sought redevelopment of the downtown. One of the crown jewel results is the Nest, a small retail incubator. It has graduated a jewelry store, a furniture store, a T-shirt shop and others. Startups can rely on help with the infrastructure and location, then they move to one of the redeveloped buildings nearby.
“It is a win-win for everyone. The Nest gives businesses and startups the chance to grow and expand without the overhead that comes with starting a business,” Kirkland said.
Kirkland has created the Dothan Destinations Channel, which features attractions in the local and surrounding area. He donates four-minute spots to promote places like the G.W. Carver Museum, Landmark Park and the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens. He has donated over $75,000 in airtime to ensure visibility for the area’s attractions.
When I asked Kirkland why he does all this when so many people are concerned with benefiting themselves, his reply is bound to motivate others to follow suit:
“It’s like this: You get out of it what you put in it. If you don’t try to make a difference, who is going to do it? It is our responsibility. If you have been given something in life, it is your job to give back,” Kirkland said.
DDRA may stand for Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority, but for Mit Kirkland, the acronym describes him to a T: Deep, Determined, Real and Aspiring.
Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.
