The Main Street Approach, developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980, is a comprehensive framework for revitalizing and strengthening downtowns and commercial districts. At its core are Transformation Strategies, which serve as focused and deliberate paths to guide revitalization efforts and economic development. These strategies are designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities of a community, aligning efforts with local needs, priorities, and aspirations.
Each strategy emphasizes leveraging existing assets, preserving the district's character, and fostering a vibrant, sustainable, and competitive environment. Whether the goal is attracting new businesses, enhancing public spaces, fostering entrepreneurship, or preserving historic buildings, the Transformation Strategy ensures that all initiatives work cohesively toward measurable outcomes.
This holistic approach integrates economic development, design improvements, community engagement, and promotion efforts, creating a dynamic framework for achieving long-term success and transforming downtowns into thriving, resilient hubs of activity.
The Organization Committee plays a vital role in creating a shared vision that transforms the Main Street program’s mission into clear and achievable goals. Our task is to define how we’ll contribute to revitalizing the downtown or commercial corridor by developing an approach tailored to the neighborhood’s unique character and needs. We also establish a strong organizational structure for the board and staff to ensure effective leadership and strategic direction.
Our efforts focus on building a solid foundation for sustainable revitalization by cultivating strong partnerships, fostering active community involvement, and identifying resources to support long-term success. By working together, we ensure a thriving downtown or commercial corridor that benefits local businesses, residents, and the entire community.
The Promotion Committee play a key role in positioning our downtown or neighborhood commercial district as the heart of the community and a hub of economic activity. Our focus is on creating a positive image that highlights the unique characteristics, culture, history, and defining features of our community.
Through strategic promotion activities, we work to enhance or reshape the perception of our downtown, celebrating its heritage while reinforcing its reputation as the go-to place for residents to shop, work, live, enjoy entertainment, and invest. These efforts not only attract visitors and businesses but also strengthen community pride and engagement.
The Design Committee support our community’s transformation by improving the physical and visual elements of the downtown area while leveraging the unique assets that make our commercial district stand out. Our approach creates a welcoming and vibrant environment that attracts businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
We focus on guiding principles, tools, incentives, and both daily and long-term strategies that drive the Main Street movement forward. These elements work together to enhance our downtown's appearance, functionality, and sustainability, ensuring its success for years to come.
The Economic Vitality Committee focuses on capital, incentives, and a wide range of economic and financial tools to support both new and existing businesses. Our goal is to create a thriving local economy by providing the resources, guidance, and opportunities that businesses need to succeed. By catalyzing property development and enhancing the infrastructure of our commercial district, we help lay the groundwork for sustainable growth.
We also strive to foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, making our downtown a hub for creative thinkers and ambitious business owners. Through partnerships with local stakeholders, government agencies, and financial institutions, we identify funding opportunities and incentives that make it easier for businesses to establish themselves, expand, and thrive.
Our efforts extend beyond supporting individual businesses; we work to strengthen the entire business community by attracting investment, increasing foot traffic, and creating a vibrant and dynamic marketplace. By doing so, we ensure long-term economic sustainability for our area while promoting a strong sense of community pride and involvement. Together, we build a resilient and prosperous future for our commercial district.