We are Saline Main Street! The Rest of the Story...

Last week we shared part of the first year services that the Michigan Main Street Center will provide now that we are designated as a Michigan Main Street community.  The remainder of the services that will be provided in our first year will also include:

• Manager Training — This orientation will be for the new manager and includes an overview of the Main Street Four-Point Approach (R); explains the roles and responsibilities of staff, board and committees; offers strategies for the effective management of a local Main Street program; and addresses participants’ questions regarding Main Street program management.
• Main Street Building Basics — is an educational workshop to help Design Committee members, property and business owners and local citizens understand the basic principles behind historic preservation and design.  The presentation serves as a kick-off point for the local Main Street program’s Design Committee.
• Design Services — In the first five years of the program, communities will receive design training and consultation services by the State Historic Preservation Office to help maintain and enhance the communities’ historic integrity.  Each community will receive individualized design assistance for facade improvements of downtown buildings as part of the service.  Up to three services will be provided per year for five years.
• Quarterly Trainings — The Quarterly trainings provide an excellent opportunity for local Main Street managers and volunteers to network with each other to discuss unique events, current challenges and successful solutions being developed in their community. The trainings are held in a different community each time, giving all participants a better understanding of each other’s downtowns.
• Year End Assessments – The purpose of these assessments is to determine the progress the local Main Street program is making in the fulfillment of its vision, mission and work plan.
• Committee Check-In – Michigan Main Street staff is available to attend committee meetings year around at the request of the Main Street Manager or Committee Chair. These regular meetings keep lines of community open.
• Michigan Main Street Listserv Opportunities – These resources are at our fingertips through the Listserve with other Michigan Main Street Listserv.
• Michigan Main Street Center Website – The Michigan Main Street Center & MSHDA is constantly looking for opportunities to put Michigan Main Street community and their accomplishments front and center.  Photos, links and calendar information is regularly updated and promoted to a large audience interested in grassroots downtown development nationally.
• Volunteer Handbooks & Example Documents – By being named a Michigan Main Street Community, it puts us in a network of communities and gives us access to shared documents, resources and tutorials.

As you can see, we are fortunate to be selected in the program!  We are excited to build an organization that will focus on the improvement of our downtown for many years to come.  It will take a lot of work from many volunteers.  If being a part of improving, maintaining and enhancing our Downtown to be the best it can be interests you, please join us.  Training will start soon and you can be a part of it!  Please go to the ‘Join Us’ tab and fill out the form at www.downtownsaline.org.  We are forming Committees, looking for additional Board Members, and adding volunteers who just want to help with specific tasks.  We will be happy to send you information about any of the volunteer opportunities!

See the First Year and Five Year Services in full on our website at www.downtownsaline.org.  You'll find them in the 'About' section.

We hope to hear from you soon!