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lAn f the Minnesota Update Main Street Program As demonstrated by hundreds of cities and towns through- out the United States, the action truly is back on Main Street. From a small demonstration program involving only three towns in 1977, the Main Street movement has expanded to include the active participation of 15 states with an additional seven states about to initiate programs. What was started by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as an experiment has matured into a nationally recognized pro- of downtown revitalization for small and medium gram sized cities. The Trust currently employs a staff of 14 in its National Main Street Center to provide training and technical assistance to city and state program's and the 200 cities in its national Main Street Network. Of a core group of 29 communities in six states that first applied the Main Street approach to their downtowns in 1980, all demonstrated remarkable improvements in only three years. Approximately 600 rehabilitation projects, including new signs, storefront renovations, and upper-story conversions, have been completed within these cities. These improvements represented a total investment of $64 million. In addition, 69 new construction projects, representing a further investment of $84 million, were undertaken by the 29 communities. In comparison to this original group of cities and states, Minnesota's five pilot Main Street cities have done quite well. Since the state program started, about 18 months ago, a total of $2,549,000 has been invested in 66 rehabilitation projects. In addition, seven new construction projects have meant investments of $2,137,000 in the five cities. This time period was also marked by 30 facade or storefront improve- ments and a net increase of 61 new businesses downtown. There was an overall start-to-fail ratio of three to one (89 vs. 28). This compares most favorably with the acceptable Idowntown standard of two to one. Hastings and Morris established low interest loan pools with local banks to provide the catalyst needed to get building improvements Main Street Progress January 1, 1984- July !, 1985 Yergus Falls Hastlflgl Hopkins Mo,;ds Stlllwater I Facade Changes 1 8 9 7 5 Rehab. Projects 28 11 13 6 8 New Consl. Projects 2 0 1 3 1 Number of Business Starts Failures Cost of Rehab. Projects ICostofNew Construction 22 13 21 21 12 7 2 6 2 11 $451,000 $390,000 $ 527,0005 5ro6,000 $615,(X~) $100.000 --4)-- $1.200.0005 770.000 $67.000 Total Reinvestment S551.000 S390,000 $1,727.00051.336,000 $682,000 underway. Fcrgus Falls and Hopkins expanded their loan pools in response to Main Street. In addition, Fcrgus Falls has established a $4,000 sign improvement grant program and a low interest loan program for tenants to make exterior improvements. Investments in thc five cities have created a total of 157 new jobs downtown. While these physical improvements are quite remarkable for an 18 month time period, the intangible accomplishments are equally important. Over 25 major promotional events or festivals were held in the five downtown areas. A full-time promotions coordinator is now on the staff of the Hopkins Main Street program, and was instrumental in the highly successful "Main Street Days" held recently during National Preservation .Weck. Also, organizational efforts have suc- ceeded in bringing together divergent groups for a common revitalization goal, which helps to dispel any negative feelings about downtown. Despite its many accomplishments, the Main Street program is no panacea for all of downtown's ills. As in other states, not every effort has met with success in Minnesota. Development options that did not come to fruition, funding shortages, and other obstacles or problems hindered some Main Street efforts. As a result ora shortage of private sector funding, Stillwater is no longer able to retain its project manager. The city's Main Street Commission will continue to function and apply thc principles of the Main Street approach to downtown improvements. While not perfect, Minnesota's Main Street program has succeeded. The many physical improvements, renewed image of downtown, and significant organizational efforts all attest to the value of the program in Minnesota. There is a new spirit at work in Main Street cities that says downtown is worth savings and it can be saved by local initiative using practical methods in an incremental approach. For more information about the Main Street program, contact: John Morse, Main Street Coordinator, State Planning Agency, 101 Capitol Square Building, 550 Cedar Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, (612) 296-2532. Pocket Data Book Available Again Minnesota's 1985-86 Pocket Data Book is now available. This handy desk-top reference contains 31g4 pages of the most current statistical information about Minnesota's population, housing, business/employment, government, energy, education and much more. The book is $29.95 plus tax, and can be purchased at the Map Stores, the Minnesota State Document Center, the 13 B-Dalton Stores, or can be ordered from the publisher: Blue Sky Marketing, P.O. Box 17003, St. Paul, MN 55117, 612/774-2920. Handbook for Small Business Available Soon The Small Business Assistance Office will soon have available a limited number of copies of the Handbook for Small Business prepared by the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. Senate. lhis 230-page booklet is designed to be a guide containing the highlights and a description of selected federal programs designed to assist small businesses, and an indication of how and where further information can be obtained about these programs. Copies can be obtained without charge from the Small Business Assistance Office of thc Minnesota Department of Economic Development, 900 American Center Buiding, 150 East Kellogg, St. Paul, MN 55101, or phone 612/296-3871.