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Connecticut Main Street Center follows a national model called the Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization, currently utilized in over 1,800 communities. Developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the program advances economic development within the context of historic preservation and advocates public-private partnerships to ensure lasting success.

The Main Street Four Point Approach™ is about increasing the value of your downtown!
Organization - increasing the civic value of downtown by building consensus and cooperation among groups that play a role in the downtown. The Four Point Approach builds a framework for sensible volunteer-driven programming that matches the community's assets and potential.

Promotion - increasing the social value of downtown through branding (creating a positive image of downtown), retail promotions, and special events.

Design - increasing the physical value of downtown through both new and rehabilitation construction and through the design of public spaces that will attract more people to walk and gather on a regular basis.

Economic Restructuring - increasing the economic value of downtown by diversifying it with an appropriate mix of current and new businesses suitable for the given marketplace.

The Main Street Four Point Approach™ relies on Eight Principles to produce fundamental change in traditional commercial business districts:

• The Main Street Approach is comprehensive - A single project cannot revitalize a downtown. An ongoing series of initiatives can build community support and create lasting progress.
• The Main Street Approach is incremental in nature - Small projects can make a big difference. They hone the skills and confidence of program participants and demonstrate to onlookers that things are happening on Main Street.
• Main Street requires local commitment - Although the Connecticut Main Street Center can provide valuable assistance, local leadership, and community involvement are what make for long-term success.
• A public/private partnership is needed to make meaningful, long-term revitalization possible - Both the public and private sectors of the community must be involved and committed for a local Main Street program to succeed. Each sector has an important role to play, and each must understand the other's needs, strengths, and limitations so that an effective partnership can be created.
• The Main Street Approach focuses on existing assets - A crucial first step is to identify the assets that make a particular downtown unique. Capitalizing on these assets provides the solid foundation for a successful Main Street initiative.
• The Main Street Approach relies on quality - Quality must be the goal in every aspect of renewal, from storefront design to promotional campaigns. Quality builds respect and confidence.
• The Main Street Approach involves changing attitudes - Bringing back Main Street requires changing people's attitudes and behavior as well as the environment. Community members must learn to see Main Street as a viable center of commercial and civic activity and then must incorporate Main Street into their regular routines.
• The Main Street Approach is implementation oriented - Frequent, visible changes in the look and activities of the commercial district will reinforce the perception of positive change. Small, but dramatic improvements early in the process will remind the community that the revitalization effort is under way.