PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST MAIN STREET CENTER

Heritage Ohio/Downtown Ohio is the designated State Main Street coordinating program of the National Trust Main Street Center in Ohio. As the state partner of the Main Street Center, we provide participating local Main Street organizations with the training, tools, information, and networking they need to be successful. Structured as a nonprofit organization, Heritage Ohio/Downtown Ohio is positioned to give local Main Street programs professional advice and guidance in the use of the proven Main Street Four-Point Approach to start or strengthen their revitalization efforts.

BENEFITS OF THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OHIO MAIN STREET PROGRAM

CURRENT OHIO MAIN STREET PROGRAMS

Main Street is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes historic preservation and economic development of traditional business districts in Ohio. Today there are 33 Main Street programs in Ohio and 1,688 programs nationwide.

HOW THE MAIN STREET APPROACH WORKS

The Four-Point methodology works to create a total image for the community: Providing the retail/professional area with its necessary market niche, creating a cohesive visual identity unique to the community, and nurturing a cultural ambiance associated with the community's location, appearance, and way of life. The Main Street Approach gradually builds on existing resources and fosters improved community leadership and support on behalf of the Central Business District for long term benefit.

ORGANIZATION is the building of consensus and cooperation between the groups that play a role in the downtown. Many individuals and organizations in the community have a stake in the economic viability of the downtown.

DESIGN involves improving the downtown's image by improving its physical appearance-not just the appearance of buildings, but also of street lights, window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, streetscapes, landscaping, promotional materials and all other elements that convey a visual message about what the downtown is and what is has to offer.

PROMOTION involves marketing the downtown's unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists, and others, Effective promotion creates a positive image of the downtown through retail promotional activity and special events utilizing the downtown as a stage area of community activities.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING means strengthening and diversifying the existing economic base of the downtown. Economic Restructuring activities include helping existing downtown businesses expand, recruiting new businesses, providing a balance mix, converting unused space into productive property, and sharpening the competitiveness of downtown merchants.

DOWNTOWN PRINCIPLES