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Main Street Solution Center
Michigan Main Street is committed to providing ongoing support and technical assistance to communities as they seek to revitalize and manage their traditional downtowns and commercial districts. As the creator of the Main Street Solution Center, our focus has been to create a comprehensive collection of best practices, tools, strategies, and examples tailored to meet the diverse needs of urban and rural districts with the challenges of downtown and commercial district preservation and economic development. We have organized the solution center into eight categories, with both aspiring and experienced downtown and district leaders in mind, to make finding the right solution to your challenge easy.
Questions on any particular document should be directed to Michigan Main Street Staff ([email protected]). If you don't find what you're looking for here, we encourage you to contact MMS Staff to talk further about your needs.
Getting Started
Follow these steps to start using the Main Street Solution Center today!
View our easy to navigate guide to find the Pathway to Your Solution!
WHY
Successful businesses are vital to a thriving district.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Business Retention Strategies | Business Recruitment Strategies | Business Plan Competitions | Incentive Strategies | Rightsized Retail | Expansion Exploration | Retail Market Data | Succession Planning | New Business Start Up Package
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Getting Started
Business Retention
Business Recruitment
Business Startup Support
Business Trends
Resources for Supporting Place-based Businesses
WHY
Investment in property development and building rehabilitation is the key to growing the value of place.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Building Inventory | Available Property Listings | Property Owner Brainstorms | Vacancy Treatments | Building Rehabilitaiton | Property Redevelopment | Upper Floor Renovations
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Getting Started
Real Estate 101
Building Improvement and Rehabilitation
Property Development
Real Estate Support
WHY
A well designed event strategy creates vibrancy, builds brand equity, and proves market viability.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Small, Reoccurring Habit Forming Events | Extended Hours Events | Streamlined Festivals | Micro-celebrations
RESOURCES
Getting Started
Strategy
Funding
Evaluation
WHY
Telling your story and building your brand is essential to district success.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Storytelling | Social Media Spotlights | Faces of Places Spotlight | Image Building | Promotion and Advertising Strategies
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Getting Started
Building an Image
Advocating for Downtown
Destination Marketing
WHY
Our buildings are our character. They make us who we are. We must restore and protect our authenticity and uniqueness.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Facade and Building Improvement Grants | Community Master Plans and Ordinances | Component Grants | Roof and Building Stabilization | Historic Preservation Standards | Property Owner Education | Historic Designation
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Guidelines
Historic Designation
Preservation Support
WHY
Placemaking binds people to place. That connection drives investment.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Parklets | Banners | Wayfinding Systems | Streetscapes | Parking Systems & Awareness | Public Art
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Getting Started
Placemaking
Sustainability
Tourism
Transportation
Grant Programs/Funding
WHY
A strong, sustainable organization is one that understands and communicates its value to the community.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Single-ask sponsorship Campaigns | Investor Relations | Proactive Communication | Diversifying Revenue | Building Volunteer Support | Spotlighting Volunteers
RESOURCES
Getting Oriented
Financial Capacity Building
Volunteer Capacity Building
WHY
Grassroots economic development is people driven.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Mobilizing Leaders and Volunteers | Single-serving Missions | Strategy Driven Focus| Respecting Human Capital | Celebrating Investments of Time | Measuring Impact | Telling Our Story
RESOURCES
Administration and Reporting
Strategy Driven Focus
Board Leadership
Downtown/District Executive Director
Training and Education
Thank you for using the Main Street Solution Center. Not seeing a resource that can help with a challenge or opportunity in your downtown or district? Please provide feedback related to additional resources that are needed by using our feedback form.
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