grayling main street

Grayling Main Street
Newsletter
July 2014
Benefits of the Main Street program
By: Donovan Rypkema
Speaker Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics, a Washington
That speaks to the power of the Main Street approach, which is
D.C.-based real estate and economic development-consulting firm, shared
focused on energizing downtowns by building on what makes
the positive news with an engaged crowd of about 1,300 city planners,
them unique.”
community revitalization professionals and volunteers participating in the
“The study shows the Michigan Main Street program is
conference at the GM Renaissance Center.
accomplishing its mission of helping communities use their
“In the past decade, Michigan has seen the ups and downs of the national
historic downtowns and neighborhoods as an effective vehicle for
and state economy,” Rypkema said. “Through it all, its historic downtowns
economic development,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “These are the
-- with the support of the Main Street program -- have persevered and
types of activities we need to encourage to keep the momentum
prospered.
moving forward in Michigan.”
“The words Main Street may evoke images of warm summer nights at a
Communities that were part of the study included:
downtown festival, but they also should signify real return on investment
Blissfield, Boyne City, Calumet, Clare, Grand Haven, Hart,
and renewed community commitment.”
Howell, Iron Mountain, Ishpeming, Manistee, Marshall, Midland,
The report combined analysis of 10 years of quantitative data
Muskegon, Niles, Old Town Lansing, Otsego, Owosso, Portland,
with onsite, qualitative research and showcased compelling stores of the
Saline, Scottville and Wayland.
comprehensive impact of the state’s Main Street program. Among the
“Michigan has never had a study of this magnitude to help us
findings, Michigan Main Street communities have outperformed other
understand the true impact of the Main Street program and
communities in the state during the most recent economic downturn.
preservation-based economic development,” MSHDA Executive
That news didn’t come as a surprise to Patrice Frey, president and CEO of
Director Scott Woosley said. “It’s an indicator that thriving
the National Main Street Center. “This research only reinforces what
downtowns don’t just happen. They occur when there is a shared
communities throughout Michigan have known for years: Main Street
vision and a sense of identity that communities large and small
works,” Frey said. “Even during our nation’s greatest recession, Michigan
work together to revive their downtowns.”
Main Street districts saw twice as many new businesses open than the
national average.
Lorem Ipsum
Rypkema’s analysis of the economic impact of the Michigan Main Street program includes several key findings:
• Since the beginning of the program, for every $1 invested in the Michigan Main Street Center, the Michigan districts have seen downtown
building investment of $67
• For every $1 invested in the Michigan Main Street Center, localities provided $16 in public improvement investments
• Since the beginning of the program in 2003, 250 net new businesses have been established and over 1,300 net new jobs have been created in
Main Street districts
• Throughout the most recent recession, Michigan Main Street districts outperformed the national average with more than twice as many
businesses opened than closed
• In the last 10 years, over 250 buildings have been purchased in Main Street districts
• Rehabilitation and façade projects in Main Street districts have generated an average of 214 Michigan jobs and over $9 million in paychecks
every year since the program began
• Just the improvements to Main Street district buildings have meant an increase in local property tax revenue of in excess of $3 million this
year
Volunteers play a critical role in Main Street organizations. Cumulatively, the value of the hours of Michigan Main Street
volunteers totals nearly $8 million
Fourth of July block Party
The Grayling Main Street Program would like to send a great thank you to all of those who volunteered for the Fourth of July Block
Party. It was great to see a majority of the community on Michigan Ave. in Downtown Grayling. Without the support of volunteers these
community events would be impossible to have. Along with the support of volunteers we would also like to thank all of those that contributed
donations to event. These donations benefit the program greatly when creating such events as the Block Party. We hope that we can continue to
receive your support in the future. The Fourth of July Block party was a great way to showcase downtown Grayling and all that it has to offer
from the business currently there along with the potential the Grayling Main Street has. The Grayling Youth Boosters put on great fundraising
events along with great activities for children during the Fourth of July day. The Pancake breakfast was a great way to show support for the
Christmas Walk while enjoying breakfast on Michigan Avenue. The afternoon was full of great food and great music. The music led all the way
up the beginning of the Fireworks presentation. I enjoyed seeing the community enjoying themselves down on Michigan Avenue and it created a
moment of a vibrant downtown full of people within the community. This moment that showed during the Block Party is what the Main Street
Program hopes to sustain in the future so that people will know that Michigan Avenue to Norway Street is a place where families and friends can
enjoy themselves. The Grayling Main Street Program looks forward to spending future Fourth of July Block parties with you and your family and
friends. We hope that we can continue to improve upon these festivals and events so that they will become something that the entire community
will look forward to attending each year that it is held. Thank you again to everyone that volunteered, donated and attended the Fourth of July
Block Party and we look forward to hearing suggestions for next years event.
3
CONTACT INFORMATION
OFFICE: LOCATED AT THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
From the Managers Desk
Hello,
I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! It has now been a month that I have been in
Grayling. I have enjoyed meeting many of the residents of Grayling and hopefully work with you
in the future. The community has been very supportive of Main Street and its efforts to improve
213 North James
Street
PO Box 406
Grayling, MI 49738
the downtown. The Main Street’s Four-Point approach through promotion, organization, design
and economic restructuring will continue to improve the downtown district. So why is the Main
Street Program important for residents and businesses that live outside of the district? Creating a
vibrant downtown Grayling will create economic development throughout the surrounding areas
CURRENT OFFICE HOURS
of Grayling along with the entire Crawford County area. The goal of creating a more distinct
vibrant downtown will establish a sustainable tourism base. This tourism base will bring in more
MONDAY- 9-12 PM
shoppers, outdoorsmen, fisherman, etc. Along with creating a stronger sustainable tourism base it
TUESDAY- 9-12 PM
will also establish a community in which people will want to live in, not just visit. With more
WEDNESDAY: 1-4 PM
people moving to Grayling the city can establish a greater tax base that will eventually lead to a
better community. New businesses are beginning to become established downtown and also future
THURSDAY: 1-4 PM
businesses will begin to fill in the vacant buildings. It is important to remember that Main Streets
FRIDAY: 9-12 PM
approach to the revitalization of downtown Grayling will be a process. This process will be a
OR BY APPOINTEMENT
*Also while my office hours are
during times in which it is
difficult to meet with business
owners most of my time I will
be downtown Grayling.
group effort from the entire community. Businesses will have to work together toward the simple
goal of bringing more people to the community.
The Main Street Downtown Grayling Community Clean-Up day was a great success, not
only because we helped present a cleaner more friendly downtown, but it also showed the
downtown business district that the community cares about how their downtown. Each volunteer
that helped showed the businesses that have a clean more vibrant downtown is a goal that we will
continue to strive for. We would also like to thank all of you that attended the Fourth of July
Block Party. It was great to see the Grayling Community all together in one area supporting local
CURRENT CONTACT
INFORMATION
organizations. The amount of volunteer support for the event was amazing and we would to thank
all of you that helped in any way. We look forward to working with you in the future. My office is
located in the Chamber of Commerce building/City Park if you like to stop by and chat. If you
EMAIL:
downtowngrayling@gmail.com
cannot find me there than most commonly I will be downtown on Michigan Avenue going in and
out of the local businesses. I can also be reached at (989) 390-7689 or at
downtowngrayling@gmail.com. Thank you all again for such great community support and we
look forward to working with you soon,
Office-phone: (989) 390-7689
Riley Hollenbaugh
Grayling Main Street Manager
Lorem Ipsum
Ausable Fabrics & More Grand Opening
AuSable Fabrics & More held its grand opening on July 18th and
19th. The event held free demonstrations, hourly giveaways and raffles
along with refreshments & cake. It was a great day for the grand opening
and the Grayling Community showed a lot of support for the new fabric
store opening in downtown Grayling. The two-day event was a great way
to showcase all of what AuSable Fabrics and more has to offer. The
Pajama Strip Weekend is September 27th and 28th at AuSable Fabrics &
More. The cost is $50.00 which includes meals. There will be gifts for
the ugliest, the prettiest, and the most creative pajama's, comfy clothes.
You will need to buy your fabric! Come and join us for a FUN FILLED
WEEKEND! Please call 989-745-2988 or stop in to register. AuSable
Fabrics & More are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 7p.m. and
Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
River Festival / Canoe Marathon
The 2014 River Festival and Canoe Marathon was my first. As an outsider, who has only lived in Grayling for a little over
a month, it was great to see a week full of great activities for all ages throughout the Grayling Downtown and the surrounding
areas. I was amazed at all the activity downtown Grayling and how it benefited all of the businesses. How many people from
outside of Grayling and Crawford County along with all local Grayling Community that supports these events is amazing. I was
also very astounded by how many volunteers helped the Chamber of Commerce put on these events. Kids Day and the HUP race
specifically was awesome and the community support for these events just shows how well these events are organized and how
well the community perceives these events as positive influences on the Grayling Community.
*Grayling Main Street operates as a sub-committee of the Downtown Development Authority that follows the National
Main Streets Four-Point Approach.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraylingMS
Twitter: @GraylingMainSt