The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a unique economic development tool that acts as the foundation for local initiatives to revitalize their communities by leveraging local assets.  The four points of the Main Street approach work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort.

Organization

Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the commercial district. By getting everyone working toward the same goal, your Main Street program can provide effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the downtown or neighborhood business district. Through volunteer recruitment and collaboration with partners representing a broad cross section of the community, your program can incorporate a wide range of perspectives into its efforts.Agoverning board of directorsand standingcommittees make up the fundamental organizational structure ofvolunteer-driven revitalization programs. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director. This structurenot only divides the workloadand clearly delineates responsibilities, but also buildsconsensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.

Promotion

Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positiveimage that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer and investor confidence in your commercial district. Advertising, retail promotions, special events, and marketing campaigns help sell the image and promise of Main Street to the community and surrounding region.Promotions communicate your commercial district's unique characteristics, business establishments, and activities to shoppers, investors, potential business and property owners, and visitors.

Design

Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape and creating a safe, invitingenvironment for shoppers, workers, and visitors. It takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in a commercial district by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising,window displays, and promotional materials.Anappealing atmosphere, created through attention to all of these visual elements, conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities alsoinclude instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the district's physical appearancethrough the rehabilitation of historic buildings, encouragingappropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, educating business and property owners about design quality, and long-term planning.

Economic Restructuring

Economic restructuring strengthensyour community's existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base.This is accomplished by retaining and expanding successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix,sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners, and attracting new businesses that the market can support. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property alsohelps boost the profitability of the district. The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today's consumers.

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