6. HRSR 06-07-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Role of Minnesota Main Street As the official statewide coordinating program, the Minnesota Main Street program: • Competitively selects local Main Street programs for participation; • Provides technical assistance and-when available-financial assistance to communities; • Provides quarterly trainings in the application of the Main Street Four Point Approach T""; • Creates a membership network for participating and aspiring Main Street communities by acting as a resource for networking, education, and advocacy; • Acts as a clearinghouse for resources for the Main Street network; • Certifies which communities have met the standards for accreditation by NMSC. Investment In its first year of operation, the Minnesota Main Street Program will invest almost $100,000 in assessment visits, training seminars, technical assistance, and consulting services for its Main Street membership network. This investment has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota Main Street and its contractors will spend approximately 10 days in each Main Street community and provide an additional six days of training opportunities for participants in the network. Communities being considereddesignation as certi ie ain treets wi receive atwo- ay visit y an assessment team comprised of professionals in the fields of design, planning, organizational and economic development, and marketing. Assessments will assist the community in understanding its strengths and opportunities in app ying the Main Street Four Point_Ap~r_o~chT"^. The assessments will help to guide the community in identifying the best application of its complimentary, professional consulting services provided by Minnesota Main Street. Consulting services will assist in meeting the community's needs in the areas of organization, design, economic restructuring, and / or promotions. Designated Main Street communities are eligible to participate in trainings and conferences for no additional fee. Trainings are open to local Main Street program directors and volunteers. Results Minnesota Main Street seeks to inspire local communities to directly engage in the revitalization of their historic city centers th the Four Point ApproachT"". Local communities benefits from a coordinated vision for the downtown inspiring hundreds of hours of volunteer time, an strengthened job and business base, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in private investment to purchase, construct and rehabilitate historic commercial district property. For More Information: Will O'Keefe, Intern Preservation Alliance of Minnesota Minnesota Main Street wokeefe@mnpreservation.org www.mnpreservation.org (March 5, 2010)