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Main
Street New Jersey
Main
Street New Jersey provides selected
communities with technical assistance
and training of proven value
in revitalizing historic downtowns.
The program helps municipalities
improve the economy, appearance
and image of their central business
districts through the organization
of local citizens and resources.
What
is Main Street New Jersey?
Main
Street is a comprehensive revitalization
program that promotes the historic
and economic redevelopment of
traditional business districts
in New Jersey. The Main Street
New Jersey Program was established
in 1989 to encourage and support
the revitalization of downtowns
throughout the state. Every
two years the DCA accepts applications
and designates selected communities
to join the program. These communities
receive valuable technical support
and training to assist in restoring
their Main Streets as centers
of community and economic activity.
The results
in New Jersey have been impressive. MSNJ Communities have brought
significant numbers of new businesses and jobs to their respective
downtowns. In addition, facade improvements and building rehabilitation
projects have upgraded the image of Main Street. MSNJ builds on
the Main Street Approach that was developed by the National Trust's
National Main Street Center in 1980 to assist downtown revitalization
efforts nationwide.
The
Four Point Approach
| There
are no quick fixes for
declining downtowns. True
success comes from using
a comprehensive and incremental
approach such as the Main
Street program. Four elements
combine to create this
well-balanced program: |
| Organization |
Economic
Restructuring |
| Organization
involves building a local
Main Street organization
that is well-represented
and funded by local residents,
merchants, property owners,
civic groups, bankers,
public officials, and
chambers of commerce.
A strong organization
provides stability to
build and maintain a long-term
effort. |
Economic
Restructuring involves
analyzing current market
forces to develop long-term
solutions. Recruiting
new businesses, creatively
converting unused space
for new uses, and sharpening
the competitiveness of
Main Street's entrepreneurial
merchants are examples
of economic restructuring
activities. |
| Design |
Promotion |
|
Design enhances the visual
appearance, attractiveness
and traffic management of
the business district. Historic
building rehabilitations,
street and alley clean-ups,
parking and traffic calming
issues, colorful banners,
landscaping, and lighting
all improve the physical
beauty of the downtown as
a quality place in which
to shop, work, walk, invest,
and live. |
Promotion involves marketing
an enticing image to shoppers,
investors, residents and
visitors. Festivals, retail
events and image development
campaigns are some of
the ways Main Street encourages
consumer traffic in the
downtown. |
About
the Main Street New Jersey Program
and Application Process
| Benefits
of Becoming a MSNJ Community |
Services
Available to MSNJ Communities |
| When
a community participates
in a comprehensive revitalization
effort, its downtown can
experience a return of
economic vitality. Benefits
of the Main Street program
include the following:
•
Protecting and strengthening
the existing tax base
• Increasing sales
and returning revenues
to the community
• Creating a positive
community image
•
Creating visually appealing
and economically viable
downtown buildings
• Attracting new
businesses
• Creating new jobs
• Increasing investment
in the downtown
• Preserving historic
architectural resources |
Communities
selected to participate
in the MSNJ program
receive ongoing, free
technical assistance,
including the following:
•
In-depth volunteer and
executive director training
• Advanced training
on specific downtown
issues, including marketing,
business recruitment,
volunteer management,
and historic preservation
• Professional
consultant visits to
develop each community's
strengths and plan for
success
• Small business
development services
for local business owners
• Marketing and
public relations services
for local businesses
and Main Street organizations
• Architectural
design services for
business and property
owners
• Educational
materials including
manuals and slide programs
• Links to local,
state and national Main
Street community networks
|
| How
to become a MSNJ Community |
Elements of Successful
Applications |
Contact
MSNJ for application information.
Any municipality meeting
the following basic requirements
may apply:
•
A seasonal or year-round
market population between
4,000 and 50,000
• Commitment to
employ a full-time Executive
Director, with an adequate
program operating budget
for a minimum of four
years
• Historic architectural
resources in a defined
downtown commercial district
or urban commercial corridor |
Successful
applicants demonstrate
commitment to the following
principles:
•
Establishment of a volunteer
board of directors
• Procurement
of stable, long-term
local funding
• Development
of public/private partnerships
• Commitment to
hire an executive director
• Commitment to
the four-point Main
Street Approach
• Establishment
of a well-defined commercial
district
• Commitment to
historic preservation
• Willingness
to work and succeed
over time
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| Main
Street New Jersey Links |
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For
more information... |
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Main
Street New Jersey maintains a list
of related state and national organizations and initiatives.
Please contact the office for more information about listed
programs. |
Jef Buehler
Main Street NJ Coordinator
(609) 633 - 9769
msnj@dca.state.nj.us |
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