As an Ohio Main Street Downtown Affiliate Community, we are using the Main Street Approach, working to help downtown Kenton THRIVE!
"The Main Street Approach™ offers community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable framework for downtown transformation that is easily tailored to local conditions. The Main Street Approach helps communities get started with revitalization that grows with them over time." ~ Main Street America website
The Main Street Approach is centered around Transformation Strategies, and each Transformation Strategy is implemented through activities in the four broad areas of work represented by the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
While the Main Street approach provides the format for successful revitalization, implementation of the four-point approach is based on eight principles that pertain to all areas of the revitalization effort.
Transformation Strategy
We are working to help downtown Kenton THRIVE!
2024-2025 Goals
Fill the downtown.
Engage the community with the "Main Street Approach."
Raise funds and stabilize the budget.
The Four Points (Committees)
Organization Committee
Doris Blum, Chair
Organization creates a shared vision that converts the Main Street program's mission into clear goals, defines the organization's role in revitalizing the downtown or commercial corridor using and approach that fits the neighborhood, and builds structure for the board and staff. Organization also involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort through the cultivation of strong partnerships, community involvement, and resources.
Design Committee
Shelby Reth, Chair
Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual elements of downtown while capitalizing on the unique assets that set the commercial district apart.
Promotions Committee
Stephanie Temple, Chair
Promotion positions your downtown or neighborhood commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases your community’s unique characteristics, culture, history, and defining features. Effective promotion activities help change or enhance the image of your downtown, preserve its unique heritage, and support its reputation as the place for residents to shop, work, live, have fun, and invest.
Economic Vitality Committee
Holly Layman Cannode, Chair
Economic Vitality is at the core of a Main Street community. It involves taking a proactive, collaborative approach to building and growing a diverse economic base through smart new investment, cultivating a robust ecosystem for small businesses, focusing on the unique assets of your community, and fostering equity and inclusion to create an environment to help build local wealth.
The Eight Principles
Comprehensive - Commercial district revitalization is a complex process and cannot be accomplished through a single project. For successful and lasting results, a comprehensive approach must be used. Simply stated, comprehensive means working on all four points simultaneously.
Incremental - Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the revitalization process and help develop skills so that more complex problems can be addressed and more ambitious projects undertaken. Starting with small projects creates progress and momentum at the same time.
Self-help - Local leaders must have the desire and the will to make the project successful. The NMSC provides direction, ideas and training; but continued and long-term success depends upon the involvement and commitment of the community.
Public/Private Partnerships - Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical stability of the district. Each sector has a role to play, and each must understand the other’s strengths and limitations so that an effective partnership can be forged.
Identifying and Capitalizing on Existing Assets - Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities – like distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging or businesses that have become local institutions. Main Street cannot create new landmarks or institutions; existing local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization program.
Quality - Quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program. This applies equally to each element of the program, from storefront design to promotional campaigns to educational programs.
Change - Changes in attitude and practice are necessary to improve current economic conditions. Public support for change will build as the program grows.
Implementation-Oriented - Activity creates confidence in the program and greater levels of participation. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization process is under way. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger activities as the revitalization effort matures.
Background
Kenton Historic Courthouse District is working with Heritage Ohio to become an Ohio Main Street Community.
Learn about The Four Points and The Eight Principles by visiting their website.