New Glarus Wisconsin Connect Communities Program
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New Glarus
Wisconsin Connect
Communities Program
CONNECT COMMUNITIES
CONNECT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM:
WEDC’s Connect Communities Program will:
Reach out to more Wisconsin downtowns
Supplement the Main Street Program
Assist all size downtowns and commercial
neighborhood districts
Create networking opportunities for Connect
Communities
Connect communities to $$$ and technical assistance
Groom future Main Street Programs
Must have an organization that focuses on downtown issues
Signed agreement with WEDC
Report (once per year)
Must commit to participating in most of training opportunities
Annual fee: $200
Option to extend participation in the program each year
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Up to 20 communities selected each year
Applications (competitive) will be accepted April 2015
Applications judged by WEDC staff
Strength of downtown committee/organization
Need for assistance
Clearly defined downtown area
Downtown resources
Potential
APPLICATION AND SELECTION
What Is Connect Communities?
• Grass Roots
• Volunteer Based
• Public & Private Support
• Historic Preservation
• Four Point Approach
1. Organization
2. Promotion
3. Economic Restructuring
4. Design
SERVICES *
Main Street Workshops
New Main Street
Director Training
CAM Visit
Chatter Group
Roundtable Discussions
LocateInWisconsin.com
Main Street Awards
Resource Guide for
New Organizations
Webinars and/or
Regional Trainings
Online Resource Library
Connect Communities is NOTa financial grant program!
Connect Communities provides initial
steps for ongoing training and technical
assistance in the field of downtown
revitalization.
Why is Downtown / Business District
Important?
CENTER OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
QUALITY HISTORIC BUILDINGS
UNIQUE SENSE OF PLACENO TWO DOWNTOWNS ALIKE
What Happened to Downtown?
DECENTRALIZATION
PUBLIC DISINVESTMENT
FAÇADE “MODERNIZATION”
THE SHOPPING MALL
WHY DISTRICTS WITH SMALLER, OLDER BUILDINGS?
• More jobs and businesses per commercial square footage
• More locally-owned businesses
• More attractive to creative younger generation
• More affordable & flexible spaces for entrepreneurs
Based on study by National Trust for Historic Preservation – Preservation Green Lab
WHY FOCUS ON DOWNTOWN
R. Dawn Riley, Assoc. AIA, APA
Smith Dalia Architects
The most successful efforts in rural economic development represent a
shift away from traditional tactics, like ”smokestack chasing,” and
toward approaches, like place-based development and economic
gardening, that try to build on local character, social capital and natural
amenities. In this way, some small towns have redirected their focus to
be more inward-looking, and have been able to cultivate more stable
local economies.
BY THE NUMBERS
BY THE NUMBERS
In Suwanee:
•23 acre big box
shopping center
generates
$6,300/acre in
property taxes.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mixed-use
downtown
generates
$11,500/acre in
property taxes.
HOW IT ALL WORKS
THE MAIN STREET APPROACH
ORGANIZATION
ORGANIZATION
Plays a key role in keeping the board,
committees, staff, and program of work
in good shape by attracting people and
money to the organization.
PROMOTION
PROMOTION
Getting residents, visitors, shoppers,
investors, and new businesses to see
downtown as the center of commerce,
culture, and community life
DESIGN
DESIGN
Creates an attractive, coordinated and
quality image of the downtown by
capitalizing on its unique assets and
heritage.
DESIGN
• Building Improvements
• New Infill Construction
• Signage
• Visual Merchandising
• Public Improvements
• Sustainability
• Historic Preservation Planning
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING
Economic Restructuring
Works to develop a market driven strategy that will result in an improved business mix, new economic uses for
traditional Main Street Buildings, and increased investor confidence in the local economy.
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING
• Market Analysis
• Business Retention And Expansion
• Business Recruitment
• Real Estate Development
• Incentive Programs
Let’s Brainstorm…
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