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The Mainstreet Association members are ready to answer your questions about Michigan City's
Historic Downtown, about the community, the Association and, of course, about their businesses.
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As active members of the Indiana Mainstreet Program, the Michigan City Mainstreet Association has developed
the following four committees, based on the Indiana Mainstreet Program's Four-Point Approach: |
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1. Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial
district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management
systems and long-term planning. The look of downtown, its streets, signs, buildings and store interiors is unique to each
Indiana community. Main Street’s goal is to work with all these elements to create a friendly, attractive place that
will draw in visitors and businesses.
2. Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the
many groups and individuals involved in the revitalization process. To ensure a self-reliant, broad-based, long-lasting downtown
revitalization program, the entire community must rally around the idea. Cooperation from both the public and the private
sector is critical to achieve visible results. In addition, a separate staff and business solely dedicated to downtown revitalization
is key to achieving long-term, large-scale results.
3. Promotion: Marketing the commercial district’s
assets to customers, potential investors, businesses, local citizens, and visitors. To keep investors, visitors, and businesses
coming downtown, Main Street must reshape the community perspective of downtown as a hub of activity. Successful downtown
image campaigns, as well as promotional activities that build upon the community’s unique heritage and culture send
a consistent, compelling message promoting the downtown area.
4. Economic Restructuring: Strengthening
the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from
outlying development. Main Street’s ultimate goal is to create downtowns that are economically viable. Researching the
regional market and consumer trends give Main Street organizations a realistic picture of what market mix will work for their
downtown. Based on their research, Main Street organizations can begin stabilizing existing businesses and recruiting new
businesses to fill the gaps. |
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| 10 Reasons Why Downtown is Important |
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| 1. A healthy, viable downtown is a symbol of: |
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Community heritage |
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Quality of place |
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Civic pride |
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Economic health |
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| 2. It’s an important factor for retail, commercial, professional and
industrial recruitment. |
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| 3. Downtown serves as an incubator for small business and entrepreneurship
– the success of tomorrow. |
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| 4. Downtown represents independent businesses which: |
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Support local families, schools and the community |
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Create a stronger tax base |
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Retains and create jobs |
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| 5. Downtown is a major employer. Often when you count the number of jobs in
the community, you will find that downtown is one of the largest employers. |
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| 6. A revitalized downtown increases property values in surrounding residential
neighborhoods. |
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| 7. Rehabilitation work downtown stimulates the local economy. |
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| 8. Downtown is the heart of the community; the site for government, retail,
arts, financial institutions and churches. |
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| 9. Downtown is an important community space for festivals, parades, and other
community events. |
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| 10. Downtown is its own tourist attraction, as the location for the community’s
unique businesses and architecture. | |
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