N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Main Street Center and the Office of Urban Development

Elizabeth H. Parham, CMSM Director

Downtown Associate Community Program Workshop - 2015

I. Welcome and Introductions

II. Overview of North Carolina Main Street Center’s Program, History and Success and the Four-Point Approach®

III. Downtown Associate Community program Benefits

IV. Downtown Associate Community program Requirements and Responsibilities

V. Review of the 2015 Downtown Associate Community Application, Process, and Selection Criteria

VI. Questions & Answers

VII. Adjourn

II. Overview: History, Success, Four-Point Approach®

•Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a national non-profit

•1980, the National Main Street Center was created; 6 states and 30 communities selected; NC was one of the original states

•Today, 46 states and over 1100 communities with programs

Main Street…

“In economics it is the differentiated product that commands a monetary premium.”

Main Street is economic development within the context of

historic preservation.

• “If we want to attract capital, to attract investment to our communities, we must differentiate it from anywhere else. It is our built environment in general, and our historic buildings in particular, that express our diversity, our identity, our individuality and our differentiation.”

Don Rypkema,

The Economics of Historic Preservation

Main Street is economic development within the context of

historic preservation.

N.C. Department of Commerce N.C. Main Street Center

Main Street Solutions Fund Program

Office of Urban Development

Resource to all N.C. downtowns

N.C. Main Street

Program

N.C. Small Town Main

Street Program

Administer the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point

Approach ™

Dt. Associate

Community program

Mission of the NC Main Street Center

The mission of the North Carolina Main Street Center to lead the state in downtown revitalization using the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, in selected communities and to be the focal point for downtown revitalization.

We do this by offering technical assistance in downtown revitalization to communities throughout North Carolina.

DESIGNImproving the physical aspects of downtown.

PROMOTIONSelling a positive image

of downtown based on the authentic, creative assets of the community.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

Strengthening the existing economic assets; expanding

and diversifying the economic base.

ORGANIZATIONBuilding Human and

Financial Resources, through

public/private Partnerships, to

achieve a common vision.

Main Street Four Point Approach

DESIGNImproving the physical aspects of downtown.

PROMOTIONSelling a positive image of

downtown based on the authentic, creative assets of the community.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURINGStrengthening the

existing economic assets;expanding and

diversifying the economic base.

ORGANIZATIONBuilding Human and Financial

Resources, through public/private Partnerships, to achieve a common vision.

Main Street Four Point Approach

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Comprehensive

• Incremental

• Self-help

• Partnerships

• Builds on assets

• Quality focus

• Change

• Implementation

Eight Principles of Main Street

99

2014 Program Services Delivered 147 Communities Served

• Conducted 9 Main Street Trainings

• Assisted 65 Communities with Organization Needs

• Facilitated 9 Economic Visioning Forums and Mission Development Workshops

• Facilitated 14 Strategic Plans & Board Retreats

• Delivered 35 Downtown Revitalization Presentations

• Completed 15 Downtown Revitalization Data Surveys & Reports

• Completed 13 Market Studies & Study Updates, Business Consultations & Business Plans

• Completed 51 Design Proposals & Packets

• Conducted 2 Resource Team Site Visits and Reports

• Facilitated 1 34-year Economic Impact study

• Administered 18 Main Street Solutions Fund Grants

• Facilitated 68 STMS Monthly Meetings

Impact of the Main Street Program on N.C. Downtowns

FY 2013-14

• $108.8 Million in public/private investment

• 351 Buildings Renovated

• 327 Façade Improvements

• 248 Businesses Net Gain

• 1011 Jobs Net Gain

Community Statistics

Since the program began in 1980:• A gain of $2.2 billion in new public and private

investment, • A net gain of over 19,200 jobs, • Renovation of 5,223 buildings, and• A net gain of 4,960 businesses

Nationally, Main Street® communities have had more than $ 61.7 billion of new public and private investment in their downtowns.

Economic Impact of NCMS & STMS Programs

“Every $5,000 appropriated to the NC Main Street Center has meant:

• 10 Net new jobs in Main Street districts

• 3 Net new businesses in Main Street districts

• $691,000 in private-sector investment”

“For every $1 the state has invested, private citizens contributed $95 in their own investments to Main Street districts. For every $1 the state invested, other public investments added $91.”

North Carolina DECADES OF SUCCESS - The Economic Impact of Main Street in North Carolina - March 2014

ORGANIZATIONBuilding Human and Financial Resources, through public/private partnerships, to achieve a common vision.

Main Street Four Point Approach

Organization

3 Basic Areas of Focus:

- Plan for Downtown’s

Success

- Manage the Main

Street Program

- Promote the

Program

Organization

Plan for Downtown’s Success

• Economic Drivers

• Vision

• Mission

• Plan of Work

• Identifying Stakeholders

• Budget

Downtown Sylva Association - Plan of Work – 2010-2011

Vision: Downtown Sylva is the hub of cultural and recreational activity for our community and the center of diverse businesses and services, quality

restaurants and unique events for local residents of Southwestern North Carolina and tourists which travel the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge

Parkway, to enjoy our natural and historical treasures.

Mission: The mission of the Downtown Sylva Association is to spur economic development of Downtown Sylva within the context of historic

preservation. This is accomplished through the implementation of the National Main Street Center’s Four Point Approach: Design, Organization, Promotion

and Economic Restructuring.

ORGANIZATION

PROMOTION

DESIGN

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

I. Goal - To build the human and

financial resources for downtown.

I.Goal - To market the assets and

brand Downtown Sylva as a venue.

III. Goal - To facilitate physical

improvements and small-scale

development that reflects and

respects the unique character of

downtown Sylva.

IV. Goal- To encourage and

facilitate business retention,

recruitment and expansion.

Objective – To accomplish the vision

for downtown Sylva and to build

partnerships.

Objective – To build business

retention and provide and promote

a community gathering space.

Objective – To increase functionality

(for residents, tourists, property

owners & merchants), to preserve

local heritage, historic character, &

to improve safety for downtown

visitors.

Objective – To create a viable

downtown and to retain and create

jobs. To supply the goods and

services that the community needs.

Strategies –

1. Build a volunteer database/

partnership pool and define a list of

needs and responsibilities that include

time commitment.

2. Recruit, train, and retain active board

members

3. Expand the financial resources of DSA

including the creation of a Grant

Committee to pursue opportunities for all

of Downtown Sylva.

4. Continue development of website,

facebook, and monthly e-newsletter.

5. Continue monthly brainstorming

meetings for downtown merchants and

community stakeholders.

6. Host Annual Celebration for to

recognize accomplishments and

celebrate our partnerships.

7. Utilize Block Captains to improve

communication w/ downtown merchants,

businesses & property owners.

Strategies –

1. Coordinate special events and

festivals (Father Daughter Dance,

Greening up the Mountains, Taste of

Downtown Sylva, Sylva After Dark,

Chilly Fest, Treat Street, Pictures with

Santa, and Annual Christmas Parade).

2. Participate in the towns branding

efforts to develop an overarching brand

for Sylva.

3. Create, fund, and maintain the

promotional materials including the map,

press release, rack card, newsletter,

website, and facebook that promote the

businesses and activities of downtown

Sylva.

4. Continue promotion of the 3/50

project to encourage the local

community to support independently

owned businesses.

Strategies –

1.Facilitate façade grant program

2.Jury a competition of local craftsman

to design recycling bins, and bike racks

for downtown Sylva.

3.Designate a centralized location for

newsstands and public notices.

4.Pursue a study of rain garden

placement.

5.Facilitate improvements and upkeep

for downtown buildings.

Strategies –

1. Purchase, develop, maintain and

utilize a database program to develop

an inventory to capture information on

downtown businesses and buildings.

2. Research, evaluate, and pursue

designation as a National Historic

Registered District.

3. Promote the façade grant program to

all downtown businesses.

Organization

Manage the Main Street Program

• Organizational Structure

& Partnerships

• Staff &Volunteer

Management and

Development

• Financial Management

and Development

Organization

Promote the Program

• Tell The Story

– Visually

– Numerically

– Aurally

• Use a Mix of Tools

• Press Releases

• Annual Meetings

• Speakers Bureau

Organization Snapshot

ORGANIZATION

PLAN FOR

DOWNTOWN’S

SUCCESS

MANAGE THE

MAIN STREET

PROGRAM

PROMOTE

THE PROGRAM

Budget

Economic

Drivers

Stakeholders

Plan of Work

Vision /

Mission

Financials

Structure

Volunteers

Staff

Partnerships

Tell The Story

Communication

Tools

PROMOTIONSelling a positive image of downtown based on the authentic, creative assets of the community.

Main Street Four Point Approach

Promotion

3 Basic Areas of Focus:

– Image Building Campaigns

–Retail Promotion

– Special Event Development

Image Building Campaigns• Create the Brand

- Colors / Fonts

- Graphics/Slogans/

Taglines

- Wayfinding, etc.

• Communicate the Brand

- Advertising

- Collateral Materials

- Media Kits

- Image Building Events

Develop the Brand

Developing The Brand

Developing The Brand

Plan Image Building Events Develop Public Displays and Special Events

For Example:

• Display design renderings of streetscape and facades in storefront windows and public locations.

• Coordinate a “clean-up” project/event.

• Develop a Progress Awards ceremony.

• Hold a Ribbon Cutting for new

businesses.

Special Events

• Community Heritage Events

– BBQ Festival / RiverFest

• Special Holiday Events

– Christmas / Halloween

• Social Events

– Alive After Five

– Farmer’s Market

Special Events create reasons for people to come downtown

Special Events

Three Keys to Promotion

• Authentic

• Creative

• Market Driven

Sundial Project in Burnsville, N.C.

Promotion Snapshot

PROMOTION

IMAGE

CAMPAIGNS

Joint

Advertising

Downtown

Branding

Activities to

Generate

Cash Register Sales

Community

Events/

Seasonal

Events

RETAIL

PROMOTION

SPECIAL

EVENTS

Sidewalk

Sales/

Retail

Events

Marketing/

Education

Holiday

Activities

Communication WebsiteSocial

Media

Logos/

Taglines/

Slogans

DESIGNImproving the physical aspects of downtown.

Main Street Four Point Approach

Design

• 5 Basic Areas of Focus:

– Buildings

– Displays

– Streetscapes

– Signage

– Public Spaces

Buildings

3 Primary Areas Of Work• Repair• Rehabilitation• Restoration

Enhancing the unique architectural characteristics of each building.

Displays

• Window Displays

• Merchandizing Displays

• Public Space Displays

Streetscape

• Guidance through RFP Process

• Consultants

• Types of Trees

• Lighting

• Streetscape Furnishings

• Ways of Funding

Signage

• Signage

– Wayfinding

– Gateways

– Kiosks

– Banners

– Street signs

– Business Signage

Public Space

• Public Space– Square/Center of

Town

– Pocket Park

– Special Event site

– Public Right of Way

– Parking Facilities

Design Snapshot

DESIGN

BUILDINGS STREETSCAPE SIGNAGEPUBLIC

SPACES

Repair

Rehabilitation

Restoration

Utilities

Right of Way

Lighting

Planting

Materials

Street

Furnishings

& Decorations

Wayfinding

Gateways

Kiosks

Banners

Street/

Business Signs

Square/

Center of Town

Pocket Parks

Special Event

Sites

DISPLAYS

Window

Displays

In-store

Displays

Parking

Facilities

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

Strengthening the existing economic assets; expanding and diversifying the economic base.

Main Street Four Point Approach

Economic Restructuring

• 5 Basic Areas of Focus:

- Understand Current Economic Conditions

- Strengthen Existing Businesses

- Find New Economic Uses

- Develop Financial Incentives & Capital for Building Rehabilitations & Business Development

- Monitor the Economic Performance of Downtown

Economic Restructuring Snapshot

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

NEW USES

FINANCIAL

INCENTIVES

& CAPITAL

ECONOMIC

CONDITIONS

Baseline Data

Surveys

Inventory

Data

Investor

Consultation

Market

Analysis

EXISTING

BUSINESSES

Educate

Design

Promotion

Vision

Mixed Use

Zoning &

Ordinances

MONITOR

PERFORM.

Incentives &

Investment

Baseline Data

Statistics

Main Street Program Benefits for downtown property owners

• Increased property values

• Increased rental rates

• Less vacancy and/or shorter-term vacancies

• More financially stable tenants

• Business recruitment assistance

• Coordination of partnership efforts

• Access to grants and knowledge of property rehabilitation

Main Street Program Benefits for downtown business owners

• Increased foot traffic and both new and repeat customers

• Coordinated promotion for downtown businesses

• Increased number of downtown businesses and increased goods and services offered

• Increased number of downtown workers and residents

• Increased marketing efforts

• Access to knowledge about the market and coordinated business assistance

Main Street Program Benefits for Community at Large

• Increased jobs

• Increased quality of life, activities, attractions and events

• Increased public space, recreational and park venues

• Increased housing opportunities

• Increased opportunities for volunteerism

Main Street Program Benefits for the City and County

• Increased property tax values & revenue

• Increased sales tax revenue

• Increased building permit revenue

• Increased interest in industrial development within the region

• Increased opportunity for grants & coordination of public/private partnerships

• Partnership

• Training

• Technical Assistance

• Network

III. Benefits of the Downtown Associate Community Program

*When communities are selected by the N.C. Department of Commerce to participate in the North Carolina Downtown Associate Community program, the local city or town government, and specifically the chief elected official, is notified of the selection.

The city or town government determines who will administer the Downtown Associate Community program at the local level and communicates

that information to the Main Street Center.

Partnership• Communities selected to participate in the Downtown

Associate Community program become partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, N.C. Main Street Center and the Office of Urban Development in a long-term economic development effort that has proven to have a positive impact on investment and job creation.

• Downtown Associate Communities are limited in number and therefore receive focused and personal attention from North Carolina Main Street staff.

Partnership

• North Carolina cities are selected through a competitive process and only a few communities are selected to participate in the Downtown Associate Community program.

• In the first three years of a local Downtown Associate Communities program, the state of North Carolina invests approximately $50,000 in on-site visits, training and technical assistance.

• After the initial start-up phase, the community may be eligible to move up to the Main Street program for continued assistance.

Training

• Downtown Associate Communities are eligible to attend and participate in the Main Street Conference, Main Street Basic Training, Board and Committee Training, Main Street Managers’ Meetings and Triannual Regional Meetings.

Technical Assistance• The North Carolina Main Street program staff guides selected

communities through an organizational development process which helps communities create a sustainable organizational structure to implement a downtown vision, develop strategies and produce action plans.

• The North Carolina Main Street staff guides participating communities through volunteer development.

• The North Carolina Main Street staff provides guidance and support to communities on ways to find and develop financial resources.

Technical Assistance• North Carolina Main Street staff has extensive experience in

organizational development and nonprofit management, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, building rehabilitation, investment tax credits, incentive programs, tourism development, marketing, image, and special event development, communications, and a range of other pertinent areas.

• The North Carolina Main Street staff is among the nation’s leading authorities on downtown development with collectively more than 98 years of experience helping North Carolina towns with revitalization challenges.

Technical Assistance

• The North Carolina Main Street staff conducts an annual program assessment and review of each community participating in the Downtown Associate Community program

• The North Carolina Main Street staff conducts an annual budget analysis of each community participating in the Downtown Associate Community program.

• The North Carolina Main Street staff conducts an annual statistical data collection and analysis.

Network

Downtown Associate Communities are able to take advantage of and participate in a special network of Main Street cities statewide and nationally, with over 1400 communities across the nation that participate in the Main Street program from which they learn best practices, techniques and strategies for downtown development.

Downtown Associate Community Program 2015

Communities participating in the Downtown Associate Community program will receive intensive strategic planning services from the N.C. Main Street Center that will guide the establishment of local, sustainable downtown organizationsin the selected communities.

Downtown Associate Communities will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the N.C. Main Street Center, N.C. Department of Commerce outlining the following requirements for partnership with the N.C. Main Street Center:

IV. Requirements & Responsibilities

1. Participate in all services provided by the N.C. Main Street Center.

2. Designate a Downtown Associate Community Program Coordinator (Paid or Volunteer) dedicated to downtown for a minimum of 20 hours/week who will coordinate and facilitate the work of the program.

3. Obtain a 501(c) nonprofit designation OR be designated as a department of the local municipal government.

4. Establish broad-based support for the commercial district revitalization process, with strong support from both the public and private sectors.

Requirements5. Establish and maintain an active Board of Directors and

Committees using the Main Street 4-Point Approach® foundation and develop a comprehensive Main Street style Work Plan using the Main Street 4-Point Approach®.

6. Establish an annual work plan/planning process for downtown.

7. Adopt and exhibit a Historic Preservation Ethic and design management program.

8. Demonstrate an established vision for downtown and a mission that defines the role of the organization that will manage the downtown initiative.

9. Downtown Associate Program Coordinator Attendance at Main Street Basic Training.

Requirements10. Fund the local downtown program through both public and

private partnerships at a level allowing for full operation (4-Points of Main Street) of the program, based on the adopted work plan.

11. Downtown Associate Program Coordinator attendance at Main Street Managers’ Meetings held once a year.

12. Downtown Associate Program Coordinator attendance at Two of Three Quarterly Regional Meetings each year.

13. Attendance at Annual N.C. Main Street Conference.

14. Submit Annual Statistical data, Budget & Salary information and Program Assessment reports as requested to the NCMS Center.

Requirements

15. Maintain an annual membership with the National Main Street Center at $250 Standard level. (If the community moves up

to Main Street it is a required $350/per year).

16. Reimbursement of travel expenses at the IRS state rate plus meals at the state per diem rate and lodging.

17. Must meet the requirements of the N.C. Main Street program by the end of year 3 in order to move to full N.C. Main Street designation. Downtown Associate Communities that move more quickly through the strategic planning process may be considered for full Main Street designation quicker than 3 years.

Requirements

18. * Communities participating in the Downtown Associate Community program are prohibited from using the Main Street logo or calling themselves a Main Street community until full Main Street designation.

19. * Communities participating in the Downtown Associate Community program are not eligible to nominate projects for Main Street or Small Town Main Street awards and are not eligible to nominate individuals as Main Street Champions until full Main Street designation.

Requirements

18. Communities participating in the Downtown Associate Community program are not eligible to apply for Main Street Solutions Funds unless they meet the definition for a micropolitan (10,000 – 50,000 in population), per legislative language for the Solutions Fund program.

V. Review of 2015 Downtown Associate Community Application, Process &

Selection Criteria

• I. Application Checklist

• II. North Carolina Downtown Associate Community Program Application Certification

• III. Eligibility Requirements

• IV. Narratives

• V. General Data

Eligibility Requirements

1. If your community has an existing organization that has been either functioning as a Downtown Organization or has had some focus on downtown, but their responsibilities are broader than downtown please answer the following:

2. The North Carolina Main Street® Center requires that each community designate a Downtown Associate Community Program Coordinator (Paid or Volunteer) dedicated to downtown for a minimum of 20 hours/week who will coordinate and facilitate the work of the program. If you have already designated someone please provide the following information about this person:

3. Complete the attached Downtown Associate Community program budget. Describe how operating costs beyond salary and programming costs will be covered; i.e. city budget, county budget, existing non-profit, annual dues, grant, etc.

4. Attach and label a city map outlining the boundaries of the downtown district. Be sure to include the boundaries of any National Register Historic Districts, locally designated historic districts, the location of any individually listed National Register properties. You may also note on the map any other features of significance.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Briefly describe any existing or previous volunteer efforts for downtown revitalization. This could include efforts from a downtown revitalization or business association, a Chamber of Commerce, downtown merchant association, a commission or advisory board of the town/city, downtown volunteers. *If the organization still exists please attach their bylaws, articles of incorporation and mission statement, unless previously submitted in Section III. ) (400 words or less)

If the program no longer exists tell us to the best of your knowledge why the effort or program dissolved: (250 words or less)

Narratives

2. Share with us a program or project that has occurred within the last three years that the community has rallied around, garnering community support. This program or project does not have to be a downtown program or project, but anything in the community demonstrating leadership and volunteerism from the citizens of your community. Indicate if this was a private effort or publically lead effort include number of volunteers, economic impact (if applicable) and whether this was a one-time program/project or if it’s on-going: (300 words or less)

Narratives

3. Is there an innovative (out of the box) project or program that has occurred either downtown or within the community at large within the last three years and if so describe and include the participating partners and community/downtown impact? (250 words or less)

4. Is there an existing vision statement either for your downtown or community? If so please include it below, indicate if it is for downtown or the community at large, and include when and how it was created and for what purpose; or if not put NA in

the box below.

Narratives

5. List and briefly describe what you view as your top three economic drivers today. (e.g., tourism, education, arts & cultural development, viticulture, boating, etc., and tell us how this was determined (200 word limit)

6. What are your current population trends? Are they growing, declining, stagnant? Please share with us the reasons for

these trends: (250 word limit)

Narratives

7. In the table below outline what you think are your current strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats in your community including downtown and tell us why you think these are strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats:

Narratives

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

8. Describe what it means to your community to administer an economic development program within the context of Historic Preservation? (300 word limit)

9. What do you anticipate will be the greatest benefit(s) for your downtown if your community is selected by the N.C. Main Street Center to participate in the Downtown Associate Community program? (200 word limit)

Narratives

10. Using the table below, indicate the community organizations, entities (public/private sectors) who you view as your partners and stakeholders in downtown who will assist you with your downtown development program as you move forward and where applicable describe their existing involvement downtown:

Narratives

Check all Current Stakeholders that exist in your community:

Check all Stakeholders that are Partners with any current downtown initiatives & name/identify as applicable:

Describe ways that Stakeholders are Partnering with Downtown (i.e. monetarily, in-kind, sponsorships, educational, beautification, supplies volunteers, etc.

1. Outside of incentive grants or funding a special event, have funds been dedicated toward downtown programs and or projects? Describe what the funds were dedicated toward and please include the annual dollar amount dedicated. These can include, but not limited to: funding an organization’s efforts toward a downtown program or project such downtown beautification, streetscape projects, facade incentive grant programs, etc. (200 word limit)

Funding Narratives

2. If your town has contributed monetarily to or organized and coordinated special events such as a festival or on-going music series, holiday events please list and describe the event(s) or promotional series and the dollar amount contributed. If your town has only given in-kind donations toward a special event or promotional programming describe what the in-kind contribution has been toward as well as what that in-kind would equate to dollar wise (i.e.: police officers donating their time to police during an event, how many hours at the current hourly rate) (200 word limit)

Funding Narratives

3. List and describe any current fundraising initiatives taking place for specific downtown projects and/or programs on the part of either the town or an organization. Include how much money has been raised or the dollar amount goal: (200 word limit)

4. List any existing incentive programs, including façade grants, currently in place. Briefly describe each and include what organization / agency administers the program, how much is available and the funding source. (200 word limit)

Funding Narratives

1. What N.C. Department of Commerce Economic Development Tier does the community’s county fall under (http://www.nccommerce.com/research-publications/incentive-reports/county-tier-designations)?

2. Population Trends (Use United States Census data)

3. What are the most recent local and county unemployment rates? From Employment Security Commission, (http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4).

General Data

Population in Year For City/Town For County

1990

2000

2010

4. What are the city and county property tax rates?

5. Does your downtown have a municipal service district?

6. If yes to above question: How long has the MSD been in place? What is the tax rate per $100 valuation? What is annual amount generated from the tax?

7. Size, general condition, inventory, downtown district: (Chart to fill in)

8. Briefly describe any major changes in the physical condition of your downtown buildings in the last five years. For example, decline in maintenance, demolition of buildings (which buildings) in particular any historically significant buildings, new construction, major building rehabilitation, etc. Explain the circumstances and if the building was publically owned or privately owned. (350 word max.)

General Data

9. Does the City organizational structure include any of the following: i.e. planner, codes enforcement, etc. (Chart to fill in)

9. Tell us what other assets are located in downtown.

(Chart to fill in)

General Data

11. Final Question: With the understanding that selection for participation in the Downtown Associate Community program will be focused on establishing a sustainable downtown organization based on best practices, and whereas the Main Street® program is a long-term downtown economic development program within the context of historic preservation, tell us why your city/town will possess the ability to move up to Main Street designation within the next three years. Include if applicable where you believe your town and/or organization currently stands in establishing and/or broadening downtown Organizational development and how the city/town will support these efforts above and beyond current efforts. (400 word limit.)

General Data

Selection Criteria

• An understanding and a basic acceptance of the Main Street® philosophy (economic development within the context of historic preservation).

• Willingness to utilize the Main Street 4-Point Approach® (organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring), and a commitment to long-term, incremental revitalization program.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstration that the community has the ability to move up to Main Street® and can meet those requirements within 3 years.

• Interest and commitment from private and public sectors, both organizationally and financially.

• Evidence of interest--past and present--in economic development efforts, specifically downtown.

Selection Criteria

• Indications of private or public reinvestment in downtown within the last three years or intent to do so in the near future.

• Interest and commitment of city/town officials and professional staff in downtown revitalization.

• Recognition of historic preservation as an economic development tool.

Selection Criteria

• Presence of intact historical and architectural resources.

• Presence of cultural resource features or special qualities (public monuments, historical markers or sites, etc.).

• The need for and value of this program to your community

Questions?

• Liz Parham,

Director

NC Main Street Center and the Office of Urban Development

919-715-0527

lparham@nccommerce.com