 In This Issue | Two Michigan Semifinalists Emerge as 2011 Great American Main Street Awards® Announced! The National Trust Main Street Center’s annual GAMSA winners are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing the nation’s historic and traditional Main Street commercial districts by using the proven Main Street Four-Point Approach®. The ten 2011 Great American Main Street Awards semifinalists are: -
Downtown Beloit, Inc., Beloit, Wisconsin -
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Durant Main Street, Durant, Oklahoma -
Farmland Downtown Historic District, Farmland, Indiana -
Downtown Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce, Florida -
Hobart Main Street, Hobart, Oklahoma -
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Main Street Marshfield, Marshfield, Wisconsin -
Downtown Newark Partnership, Newark, Delaware -
Silver City MainStreet Project, Silver City, New Mexico The winners will be selected by a national jury composed of former award winners, community development professionals, representatives from government and foundations, and journalists who are active in community economic development and historic preservation. “Community leaders and local volunteers have dedicated their time over many years to bring profound, positive change to their communities. These semifinalists have demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable, vibrant Main Streets with successful businesses and exciting events that can weather this recession,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “They are models for others to follow.” GAMSA semifinalists and winners demonstrate exemplary achievement in the process of strengthening their downtowns and commercial districts based on the following selection criteria: -
Active involvement by the public and private sectors; -
Broad-based community support for the revitalization effort; -
Quality of achievements over time; -
Innovative solutions to significant problems; -
Commitment to historic preservation; -
Evolving track record of successful commercial district revitalization; -
Comprehensive revitalization effort: activity in all four points of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization; -
Economic impact of the revitalization program; and -
Successful small business development. Michigan Main Street Selects Four Communities to Receive Branding Service The Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA recently selected four communities to participate in a pilot downtown branding service that is offered by Michigan Main Street. The communities are Niles, Grand Haven, Boyne City and Clare. The communities will undergo a branding strategy for their program which will include a logo as well as event specific logos. In addition, the brand strategy will include a new web site designed specifically for the community’s Main Street program. Participants will be trained on web site management and on effective brand management to help them get the most out of the service. “Each of these communities has shown a commitment to excellence through their years with the Michigan Main Street program,” said Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA. “Our goal is to help them take their programs to the next level through strategic branding and marketing.” The branding service was offered through an application process and was open to all Selected and Master Level Michigan Main Street communities. Those chosen have demonstrated proficiency in the Main Street 4-Point Approach. The communities will spend the next few months meeting with stakeholders and with Cindy Williams of W. Design, New Jersey. “Our experience with other Main Street communities throughout the country has given us a unique perspective on what these cities are about. We look forward to working closely to develop a strategy that tells their stories,” said Williams. The communities will begin meeting with representatives of W. Design in late January and will continue with stakeholder meetings while the branding strategies begin to take shape. Williams expects the new brands to be completed in time for the National Main Streets Conference in Des Moines on May 22 – 25, 2011. Historic preservation of our downtowns and traditional commercial districts is one of the primary cornerstones to long-term and sustainable economic development within our communities. In order to help maintain, strengthen, and capitalize on a community’s historic resources, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) offers Michigan Main Street (MMS) communities in the Selected and Master Levels the opportunity to provide design services to individual property and business owners. 
The design services provide important information and recommendations on exterior façade improvements that will maintain the historic integrity of their building while also making it functional for today’s needs. The design services include a site visit with the property/business owner to discuss problem areas of the building, scope of improvements, budget, and timeline for completing work. The design services package provided to the owner includes a schematic façade drawing showing recommended improvements, paint schemes, and awning and signage designs along with additional information to support the design. All recommendations follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as developed by the National Park Service and could help qualify property owners for financial incentives to complete improvements. Some of the latest design services packages provided are: Boathouse Grill, 440 River Street, Manistee Norm Henry Shoes, 117-119 N. Washington St,Owosso PCMI West, 136-140 Kent Street, Portland Click here to see more design services drawings provided by the Michigan Main Street Center. 
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