The City of Enterprise has just received notice that their application to participate in the Oregon Main Street – Exploring Downtown Program was accepted. The Oregon Main Street program, recently re-established by the Oregon Legislature in 2007, builds on a successful state program that previously existed from 1982 to 2002. The goal of the program is to provide assistance to all communities wanting to revitalize their downtowns, preserve their unique identity, and create opportunities for economic development.
The Oregon Main Street Program is managed by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Oregon Parks and Recreation and Oregon Housing and Community services. See http://www.oregon.gov/ECDD/mainstreet/home.shtml for details about Oregon’s Main Street program.
Using the Main Street approach, as developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is hard work but it can substantially improve the health of a commercial district by providing an effective framework for revitalization efforts.
The program goals of the Oregon Main Street program are to encourage economic development, within the context of historic preservation, so that community assets and legacies can be passed on to future generations.
This approach advocates community self-reliance, empowerment, and the rebuilding of commercial districts based on traditional assets, unique architecture, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.
The Main Street approach is incremental, step by step, with three different levels: Exploring, Transforming and Performing. To succeed, a long term revitalization effort requires careful attention to every aspect of downtown – a process that takes time and local capacity building. A Main Street program is one of many tools that a community can utilize to generate economic and entrepreneurial growth.
For more information Enterprise City Hall at 426-4196.
