grayling main street

Grayling Main Street
Newsletter
September 2014
What is Main street? And how can you get involved.
Riley Hollenbaugh
Over the last few months many questions have been coming
The Selected Level provides communities with specialized
through my desk about what exactly is this Main Street Program.
training within their own community. Once a community
How did Grayling become a Selected Level program? Why have we
successfully completes the Associate Level, they are eligible
not seen any change? And how can I help to make the Main Street
to apply for the Selected Level. The intent of the Selected
Program more successful. All four of our committees are now up
Level is to assist communities in implementing the Main
and running. Work planning is in process and will be the essential
Street Four-Point Approach to revitalization by creating a
way of how our program is organized and operates like a fine tuned
fully-functioning and sustainable local Main Street program.
machine. Change is a process and the Main Street Program will
The Main Street program has an active board of directors,
continue to work on this process to create a more vibrant
providing oversight and direction, four volunteer-driven
downtown Grayling. “How can I get involved in Grayling Main
committees completing projects and a Main Street manager
Street?” JOIN ONE OF OUR FOUR COMMITTEES. Volunteer
assisting with day-to-day needs. Commitment by Selected
for a special event/ Festival. Any amount of time that you can
Communities must have successfully completed services
provide for us will be valuable and utilized to its fullest extent. If
provided in Associate Level prior to applying. Employ a
you have any questions contact me at
full-time Main Street manager who will coordinate and
downtowngrayling@gmail.com. So what is this “Main Street thing”?
facilitate the work of the program. Establish and maintain an
“Main Street. Two words that evoke nostalgic feelings and warm
active board of directors and committees using the Main
memories in many people. That’s proof that place matters, and that
Street 4-Point Approach. Participate in all trainings and
main streets exist as places of civic pride and community
services provided by the MMS. Fund the local Main Street
congregation. They are a reflection of what we love about our
program through both public and private partnerships at a
towns and our neighbors. The Michigan Main Street Center at
level allowing for the full operation of the program. Submit
MSHDA exists to help communities develop main street districts
monthly reports to the MMS, Submit annual reports to the
that attract both residents and businesses, promote commercial
MMS, Maintain a membership with the NMSC network,
investment and spur economic growth.”
Meet accreditation standards set by NMSC by the fifth year.
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Meet Dave Vargo
new DDA/ Main Street Board Member
What do you say when asked to write your short
introduction bio? Well, to start my name is Dave Vargo and I
am the newest member of Graylings Downtown
Development Authority, or in short, the DDA. My family and
I reside here in Crawford county and have lived here for just
over two years. I am excited to become a part of the DDA
and hope that what I bring to the board will only help our
community flourish. I am active in the community, I am the
chair of the Design committee for our Grayling Main Street
program and also a business owner as well here in downtown
Grayling. My wife and I own Paddle Hard Brewing and coown The ValleyMist Vineyard Tasting Room. So if you see me
in town, please introduce yourself, or just stop by Paddle
Hard to say hi!!
Cheers,
Dave Vargo
Owner, Paddle Hard Brewing
www.facebook.com/paddlehardbrewing
Life's Short, Paddle Hard!!
Organization
Chair: Therese Kaiser
The Volunteer Meet and Greet was held on September 15 at the Grayling American Legion. With an average attendance the Grayling
Main Street Program was discussed and questions were answered regarding what exactly is Main Street. The outcome of the event expressed the
need to continually to work with the Grayling Community on what Main Street is and how they can get involved. It was very informative for us
to see new faces asking these questions along with familiar faces in the crowd still wanting to know what Main Street can be. It was great to
introduce the DDA/MAIN STREET board to the community along with the Committee Chairs of each of these committees. The organization
committee will continue to educate the community about the goals and progress of the Grayling Main Street program and continue to build our
volunteer base for our future events and activities. VolunteerSpot is a great place to see where we need help and can be found at
http://vols.pt/m663M2 for signing up for specific events. Next Organization meeting October 9, 2014 at 12 p.m. at the Grayling Nature
Center with lunch being provided.
THANK YOU FROM THE ORGANIZATION CHAIR:
Thank you for attending our event on the 15th. Looking forward to seeing you again. If anyone would like more information on our committee or
would like to attend a meeting please feel free to contact me at skaiser6688@yahoo.com or at (989) 348-1340
Therese Kaiser
3
CONTACT INFORMATION
OFFICE: LOCATED AT THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE /
GRAYLING CITY PARK
Design
Chair: Dave Vargo
The Design committee is up and running. The committee has gone through the Michigan
Main Street Training and is beginning to prioritize projects for the next year. The new design
213 North James Street
PO Box 406
Grayling, MI 49738
Chair is Dave Vargo from the future Paddle Hard Brewery/Valley Mist Vineyard. The future goals
of the design committee is to get the Main Street Businesses aware of the Main Street Design
services that we can offer to them for future improvements to the façade of the building. Another
goal is to help the Grayling Community understand the economical and aesthetic benefits of
historic preservation can be for a small community such as Grayling. In the near future the design
CURRENT OFFICE HOURS
committee will begin to work on making Grayling a walk able community. Where the downtown
MONDAY- 9-12 PM
business district can connect to the outer lying areas of the Grayling Community. The Design
committee will also begin reviewing the Design Assistance applications that will be available to
TUESDAY- 8:30-12 PM
businesses within the Main Street District. If a business is interested in applying to our design
WEDNESDAY: 8-12 PM
services they can check out the DESIGN page on downtowngrayling.com or contact
downtowngrayling@gmail.com or (989) 390-789.
THURSDAY: 8-12 PM
FRIDAY: 9-12 PM
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.
Economic Restructuring
Chair: Shannon Sorenson
The Economic Restructuring committee had its training on September 23, 2014 from
Emily Pantera, the Michigan Main Street Economic Restructuring Specialists. The training was
held at Grayling City Hall and discussed the Four-point Approach that Main Street communities
follow to revitalizing downtowns. One of the main goals and first projects of the Economic
Restructuring committee is to begin to create an informative inventory of the vacant buildings
CURRENT CONTACT
INFORMATION
downtown that may help potential business owners to grasp what the building is at this moment
and where they can take that building and adapt it into their own concept. From here the
committee will begin to work on getting Grayling certified as a Redevelopment Ready Community
where it will show potential investors about the potential that Grayling can offer to new
EMAIL:
downtowngrayling@gmail.com
businesses. The committee will work on understanding the current economic conditions of
Grayling and we as a community can evolve into a place for businesses to prosper. The future goals
of the committee is to fill the vacant buildings with the RIGHT businesses and create a sustainable
tax base and tourism base that will begin to improve the economic and social conditions of
Office-phone: (989) 390-7689
Grayling. If you have any questions about the Economic Restructuring committee you can contact
downtowngrayling@gmail.com or (989) 390-7689 or the Committee Chair at
Shannon.Sorenson@firstmerit.com or at989-344-4001. The Economic Restructuring committee
looks forward to working with you and the Grayling Community.
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Promotion
Co-Chairs: Pam Barr/ Patti Bonamie
Next Meeting October 21, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. Grayling Nature
*Grayling Main Street operates as a sub-committee of the Downtown Development Authority that follows the National
Main Streets Four-Point Approach.
Check out our NEW Website!
downtowngrayling.com
Email: downtowngrayling@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraylingMS
Twitter: @GraylingMainSt