Michigan Main Street Program

The Michigan Main Street (MMS) Program supports downtowns and traditional commercial neighborhood districts by promoting and facilitating implementation of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® in communities across the state. Since its inception in 2003, the Michigan Main Street Center has facilitated real results in participating communities by helping build partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and encouraging historic preservation. The program promotes environmentally-sustainable redevelopment, integrates communities' cultural assets and fosters entrepreneurial development and downtown living.

 

 

 MICHIGAN MAIN STREET ACCOMPLISHMENTS*

 

 

2003 – 09

2009 - 10

Total

Net new businesses created

107

62

169

Existing businesses expanded

87

30

117

Net new full-time employee (FTE/jobs)

541.5     

237.5

779

Total number of façade rehabilitations

294        

129

423

Total building rehabilitation investment

$22,522,466

$5,200,303

$27,722,749

Total private investment

$46,975,634

$14,579,026

$61,554,662

Total public investment

$24,914,038

$9.860,618

$34,774,656

Total private and public

$71,889,672

$24,439,644

$96,329,318

                                                         

  

Additionally, in 2009-10 the Michigan Main Street Center accomplished the following:

  • Experienced a net 20% increase in communities participating in the program 
  • Provided training to 245 people from 22 communities in the Associate Level
  • Assisted 13 Selected Level Main Street communities with training and technical advice
  • Graduated two communities from the Selected to Master Level
  • Refocused, revised and improved all training and presentations
  • Provided 11 renderings to property and/or business owners in 7 communities
  • Provided 42 specialized trainings or services to 13 communities
  • Created the "Buy Main Street" video to promote Michigan Main Streets. The video has garnered more than 11,000 views online.
  • Recognized with the 2010 Main Street Leadership Award by the National Trust's Main Street Center
  • MichiganMainStreetCenter.com received nearly 60,000 page views from 52 countries, all 50 states and 457 local units of government in Michigan. 

For a complete list of projects and successes in each of our Michigan Main Street Communities, view our Annual Report here: MMS_Annual_Report_2009-10

 

WHY IS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT IMPORTANT

Downtown is a symbol of:

  • Community economic health
  • Partnership between the private sectore and public sector
  • Local quality of life
  • Community pride
  • Community history

Downtown is important factor for professional recruitment.

Downtown serves a good incubator for new small businesses - the success of tomorrow. Strips and malls are often too expensive for new entrepreneurs.  Lower rents make Downtown a good location.

Downtown helps reduce sprawl by concentrating activity in one area.

Downtown is a major employer.  Often when you count the number of jobs in a community, you will find Downtown is the largest employer.

Downtown revitalizes protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Downtown is the heart of the community and the side for government, arts, churches and financial institutions.

Downtown is an important community space where members of all segments of the community can meet equally.

Downtown can be a tourist attraction and is the location of a community's unique buisnesses and buildings.

Downtown is where the arts and culture thrive.

 

Everyone wants to revitalize their downtown.  What specific criteria are used to determine eligibility to become a Main Street community?

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OR TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT    

  • 20 or more contiguous commercial parcels that have been zoned, planned or used as commercial development for 50 or more years
  • Primarily zero-lot-line developments
  • Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure
  • Substantial, multi-level historic buildings or a historic district
  • Appropriate mix of businesses and services
  • Representation by a specific downtown business organization such as a Downtown Development Authority or other non-profit. 

 Michigan Main Street Program Statement

 The Michigan Main Street program’s mission is to support and improve Michigan’s downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts by promoting and implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach® in rural communities and urban neighborhood commercial districts across the state. The program builds partnerships that offer resources and empowers communities to create successful and sustainable Main Street programs reflecting the value of preservation-based economic development.

Michigan Main Street Program Goals

In the year 2018, the Michigan Main Street (MMS) program, its communities and team of professionals are recognized state-wide and national leaders in downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization utilizing the Main Street Four-Point Approach®.

Communities

MMS Communities stand as role models for local economic vitality and the places people want to live, work, and play. MMS Communities provoke a strong sense of place celebrating their unique culture and heritage. Their preservation ethics and design practices show pride in their historic fabric. Existing businesses are successful and new businesses come to complement the clusters of unique shops and services. 

Local Main Street Programs

The local MMS programs are comprehensive, driven by local leaders and skilled staff that demonstrate continued broad-based public-private sector support that proudly sustain their vibrant districts. 

MMS Program

The MMS program is recognized nationally for providing advanced, holistic, and innovative technical assistance to its ever-growing number of communities. MMS builds awareness about the value of the Main Street Approach® and is an integral part of Michigan’s placed-based economic development strategy. MMS empowers communities to be successful in their revitalization efforts preserving their traditional commercial districts and promoting their unique assets reaching local, statewide and national audiences.

Team

The MMS team is well-trained, energetic and trusted and is viewed as state-wide and national experts in all aspects of the Four-Point Approach®. These MMS professionals deliver proactive and highly-effective levels of service. The team is passionate about revitalization of Michigan communities and committed to the economic and organizational sustainability of MMS programs. Its customer-centric environment encourages collaboration and creativity, while providing a cross-disciplinary approach to revitalization. The MMS team is made up of professionals who believe that their success can only be measured by the success of the communities they serve. 

 

If your community is interested in additional information on the Michigan Main Street program, including how to apply for the program or to have a staff member speak with your community, please call 517-241-1737 or email info@michiganmainstreetcenter.org .

 

 

 *Michigan Main Street Program years run from July to June of the following year. Charts reflect an annual increase in the number of participating communities. These figures are derived from Michigan Main Street community annual reports.