Department of Commerce

Montana Main Street Conference 2008

September 29th & 30th
Finlen Hotel
Butte, Montana

Mark your calendars for the first Montana Main Street conference, Sept. 29-30, 2008, at the Finlen Hotel in historic uptown Butte.

“Montana Main Street: Revitalizing Our Downtowns”

Main Street is a historic preservation-based economic development program that has been used in thousands of rural and urban communities nationwide since 1980. Developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Main Street approach encourages communities to use their unique assets – distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, local ownership, and personal service – to rebuild their downtowns.

Topics at this year’s conference:

Registration

To register online click on the link below:
https://app.mt.gov/cgi-bin/confreg/register/index.cgi?CONFERENCE_ID=2447. The cost is $125 (includes all meals).

Agenda

Session Descriptions

Incubators on Main Street:
The Making of a Successful Revitalization Strategy
Todd Barman, National Trust Main Street Center

Explore whether or not incubators can be a successful commercial district revitalization strategy for your community. Learn the important questions to ask before you start investing time, money, and reputation. Many attempts at creating Main Street/downtown incubators result in mini-malls that do not graduate entrepreneurs into sustainable businesses within the district. Increase your return on investment by learning the lessons of accomplished incubators as well as those that struggled. Expand your incubator horizon to include incubator-without-walls, community kitchens, arts cooperatives, farmers/craft markets, the sharing professional space, a fleet of pushcarts, and more.

Producing Great Events:
Good for Your Community and Good for You
Linda McCarthy, Missoula Downtown Association,
and George Everett, Mainstreet Uptown Butte

Learn how Missoula and Butte plan community events that draw thousands to the heart of Downtown/Uptown. Find out how to solicit business support and generate revenue without charging admission. Discover how outdoor activities contribute to the downtown economy, and how family-friendly events contribute to excellent quality of life in our communities. The Missoula Downtown Association produces nearly 40 public events and 35 membership events every year, and generates 50 percent of its annual budget from event production.

Downtown Revitalization:
Streetscapes & Great Public Spaces
Brent Campbell, and Jeremy Keene, WGM Group Inc., Missoula

Public spaces are the essence of cities and towns and can greatly enhance the experience for visitors and residents alike. Streetscaping involves making the streets and sidewalks attractive and inviting places for people to walk, shop, dine, linger and celebrate. Pedestrian activity and convenient parking on the street is critical for downtown revitalization. Public plazas and a town square can serve a critical function in providing celebration and festival space. Learn about the essential elements of great public spaces and how to create them. Learn how investment in the right kind of public infrastructure can have a dramatic impact on improving local businesses and commerce.

Strength in Numbers:
Creating an Effective Buy-Local Movement in Your Community
Jeff Milchen, American Independent Business Alliance, Bozeman

This presentation introduces the groundbreaking work of Independent Business Alliances - community coalitions uniting citizens, business owners and organizations to build vibrant local economies based on locally-owned business. In just seven years, the American Independent Business Alliance, a Bozeman-based nonprofit, has helped 45 communities across North America (including Missoula and Gallatin County) take charge of their development through this local organizing. Jeff Milchen, the pioneer of this organizing model and co-founder of AMIBA, will show how you can initiate an Alliance in your community to:

This presentation includes a slide show with dozens of visual examples from local Alliances nationwide.

BIDs, TIFs, and Other Acronyms
Paul Reichert, Helena, and Greg Krueger, Downtown Billings Partnership

The success of downtowns depends on raising funds and having an effective organization. Business Improvement Districts are one of the primary tools to accomplish both goals. This session will expose you to a range of funding sources in the state to promote, develop, and improve your downtown business district. You will also learn about the specific steps necessary to create a BID in your downtown. In addition, you will learn about TIFs, SIDs, CTEP, and more.

A Primer on the Montana Legislature and Legislative Process Steve Doherty, Great Falls

Citizen involvement is expected and mostly welcome at the Montana Legislature. But navigating through the pathways in the Capitol can be a daunting experience. The legislative process can move very slowly, and then, at the end of the session, move at the speed of light. Being able to develop legislation, get it introduced, follow its progress (or lack thereof) and provide background information and rationales for your cause is a necessary skill. Committees do the work and, if appropriations are concerned, another layer of complexity results.

Montana's citizen legislators work only part time and do not have personal staff. They are your friends and neighbors who take time out of their lives to run for office and then serve their time during the session. As they are usually under incredible time constraints and pressures during the session, it is best to work with them outside of that pressure cooker, but the reality is that you will have to jump into that process. Educating legislators about your issues takes time and patience. Approaching them with that understanding will help make your task more reachable, and results in a better experience for you and for them.

Simple Facade Improvements for (Almost) No Money
Joe Lawniczak, Wisconsin Main Street

Visible improvements do not necessarily require a large investment of money. There are simple things, from new awnings to signage, to paint, to uncovering long-concealed elements that can often be done in lieu of a total restoration, but can sometimes be just as dramatic. You will see many examples of simple yet appropriate improvements, as well as some things to avoid.

Sponsors: The Montana Main Street Conference is sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce's Main Street Program, WGM Group, Inc. of Missoula, and NorthWestern Energy.