The Main Street Program was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1977. The National Trust developed its pioneering Main Street approach for commercial district revitalization, an innovative methodology that combines historic preservation with economic development to restore prosperity and vitality to down towns and neighborhood business districts.
The Main Street Approach consists of four components:
- Organization
- Promotion
- Design
- Economic Restructuring.
These areas are integrated into a comprehensive revitalization strategy that is both incremental and long term. The first components rely on voluntary participation to build new confidence and involvement on the part of the merchants, downtown business and community leaders. The last component is economic restructuring which uses market analysis and business retention, expansion and recruitment to bring new vitality to downtown.
The Arizona Main Street Program was established by special legislation in 1986. The State program is managed in the Rural Development Office of the Arizona Department of Commerce. There is one Arizona Main Street State Coordinator on staff. Currently 15 of the 18 Arizona Main Street programs have fulfilled the state requirements to be considered active and eligible for benefits. The primary benefits are the opportunity to apply for funding through the state procurement system,apply for registration scholarships to attend Main Street, Historic Preservation and other approved conferences plus engage in conference calls and meetings to network with other Main Street communities.
Casa Grande Main Street was accepted as an Arizona Main Street community in September 1992. Currently, there is a volunteer board of directors and four committees. Our committees a restructured under the four-point approach of Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion. Main Street is overseen by a Board of Directors and managed by the Executive Director. There is an active membership along with a supportive volunteer base, which help execute a wide range of projects and programs.