Main Street
What is the Main Street Program?
In 1977, the National Trust for Historic Preservation undertook a demonstration project in three small Midwestern towns - Galesburg IL; Madison IN; Hot Springs, SD. These communities served as models to test a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization. After three years of on-site analysis and implementation experience, a process was developed entitled "The Four Point Approach to Downtown Revitalization." And the National Main Street Center began operation.
The foundation of the "Four Point" or "Main Street" Approach is preservation. Through the Main Street Program, historic preservation becomes a strong economic development tool which capitalizes on underutilized assets, encourages imagination, sharpens entrepreneurial skills and ensures strong participation by both the public and private sectors. By preserving the elements of quality that have endured over time, communities are better able to rebuild a lasting physical environment and emotional ties for all those encountering the downtown commercial district.
The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by Heritage Ohio, was established in 1987 to empower self-motivated communities in maintaining, strengthening and revitalizing the unique physical, economic, historical, and cultural characteristics of their downtown districts.
Each year Heritage Ohio, selects demonstration communities, on a competitive basis through an application process, to become formal Ohio Main Street Programs. These communities receive training and technical assistance necessary for revitalizing and preserving their historic neighborhoods and central business districts as centers of community pride and commercial activity.
The eight principles of the Main Street Program
Main Street is a comprehensive approach
Main Street relies on quality
Main Street is making meaningful, long-term revitalization possible through public/private partnerships
Main Street involves changing attitudes
Main Street focuses on existing assets
Main Street is a self-help program
Main Street's approach is incremental in nature
Main Street is implementation orientated
The Main Street "Program of Work" is carried out by the volunteers of Main Street Greenville by utilizing the Four Point Approach to economic revitalization, a comprehensive plan established by the National Main Street Center, part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C.
Supporting Main Street Greenville is open to everyone. To become a supporter click here.
