Main Street Cities in Ohio
Amherst, Cambridge, Cleveland/Gateway District, Cleveland/Historic Warehouse District, Defiance, Delaware, Elyria,
Greenville, Kent, Lakewood, Lebanon, Marietta, Medina, Millersburg, Mount Vernon, Nelsonville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Orrville, Painesville, Piqua, Port Clinton, Portsmouth, Sandusky, Troy, Van Wert, Vermillion, Warren, Wellington, Wilmington, and Wooster.
SOURCE: HERITAGE OHIO
A tried and tested national program to revitalize downtowns is gaining traction as a tool to spur more economic development in Middletown’s downtown.
Mallory Greenham, executive director of Downtown Middletown Inc., is moving forward with her goal of getting downtown Middletown designated as a Main Street Community — a program that is administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Heritage Ohio.
Greenham said the community designation is reached after a number of criteria in the program’s four key points — the downtown’s design and appearance, downtown marketing, organization of events and programs, and business enhancement.
“It is never about one thing to revitalize,” Greenham said. “It’s working deeply in all four points all at the same time in revitalizing a town.”
The accreditation had been explored over the past 10 years, but Greenham, who grew up in Madison Twp. and was hired earlier this year as the new executive director, enthusiastically believes it can be accomplished in two to three years because of what has and continues to transpire downtown.
“Right now, we’re an emerging Main Street program,” she said.
She also brings hands on experience as she worked to get Marietta’s Main Street program fully accredited.
“You can’t become one overnight,” Greenham said. “It took Marietta 11 years to become accredited.”
Currently, Greenham works 30 hours a week for the DMI non-profit and works another job, but said, “this is my labor of love.”
“This is community-driven,” she said. “People who want to get involved can get involved. This is an opportunity to engage in the community.”
Linda and Jay Moorman, who own several businesses including BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Windows, said Greenham is “a perfect fit” to get the accreditation process completed and praised her enthusiasm and knowledge of the Main Street program.
Jay Moorman said he always wondered if a Main Street program could work in downtown Middletown.
“They’ve convinced me that it’s worth it,” he said. “If you look at other cities that have Main Street programs, they’re all successful.”
Linda Moorman said gaining Main Street accreditation is another piece in the puzzle to make downtown a destination location along with getting an open container law passed by state lawmakers for entertainment districts.
She said new businesses opening up have been generating more foot traffic and a lot of downtown visitors are not from Middletown.
“The Main Street program helps to promote people to come here,” Linda Moorman said. “We have all the players in place. The downtown is like one big business. We need a downtown manager and for everyone to work together.”
“We have to have this,” said Jay Moorman. “Main Street is all set up and is a tried and true formula.”
Middletown Economic Development Director Denise Hamet said receiving a Main Street designation will provide national prestige to the downtown revitalization program.
“It will provide visibility to the DMI efforts, and will enhance credibility for grant applications,” Hamet said. “The Main Street program is a known commodity that will provide tools and best practices to help ensure the success of the program.”
Hamet said previous efforts helped get the program application process started, and now the downtown is moving forward to cross the finish line. She said Greenham’s previous Main Street experience will be a key part of that plan.
Rick Pearce, president and CEO of The Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said he thinks the Main Street program is a good idea because it lays out a road map for revitalizing downtown Middletown.
“I think it’s a good idea to focus on this specific area and bring it up to where its investors want to bring it up to,” he said. “It’s a good idea and mission for the investors.”
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