Economic Development Tools for Commercial Districts

From local angel investment groups to retail condos, communities are experimenting with new economic development tools (and putting a new spin on some old ones) to stimulate and support commercial district business and property development. This article summarizes a recent presentation by Kennedy Smith that highlights a number of promising tools. Also presented here are strategies for putting them to work in your revitalization program.

Bringing Green Buildings Downtown

This article provides an introduction to how downtowns can improve their environmental performance while increasing social and economic vibrancy. It summarizes techniques municipalities can use to attract new and sustainable development into their downtowns

Low Cost, High Impact Building Improvements Downtown

In today’s tough economic climate, it is easy to look past things that, on the surface, may seem like low-priority items. We tend to draw the purse strings tight for things that are not immediate necessities. This article discusses the importance of the maintenance and appearance of a downtown commercial building within a community.

Preparing for Economic Recovery

The current economic crisis has devastated many small towns and downtowns across America, leaving in its path empty storefronts, deserted streets and long unemployment lines. Downtowns are important because they serve multiple purposes and represent the hearts of communities. Downtowns exist not only for commerce but for social gathering, walking, communicating, exercising, entertaining and other community activities. Many people and industry prospects gauge the entire community based on the appearance and atmosphere of its downtown. This issue focuses on strategies that aim towards reversing this downward spiral.

Branding for Downtown Success

In economic times like these, building excitement about downtown and cultivating local loyalty is more important than ever. Branding is an essential part of fostering the sense of community that keeps residents interested in downtown and that makes the community an attractive destination for visitors and potential residents. Good community branding can have a number of positive impacts: it can increase exposure for existing businesses and be a recruitment tool in building a more complimentary business mix. It can also boost retail traffic and attract residents to the downtown area. Successful branding can aid downtown and community organizations, increasing both volunteerism and giving, by increasing the credibility of revitalization efforts. Poorly executed branding, however, can have just the opposite effect. Therefore it is important to proceed carefully.

~Thumbnail taken by Jeff Miller of UW Wisconsin

Supporting Entrepreneurship Downtown

An effective entrepreneurial development strategy involves creating a climate that is supportive of the entrepreneur. Downtown can be the central place for launching such efforts. The following are insights shared by Greg Wise of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and Todd Barman of the National Trust Main Street Center on how to make your downtown more supportive of entrepreneurship.

Why Downtowns will Shine After the Economic Storm

While the depth and duration of the current recession is still uncertain, there are compelling reasons to be optimistic about downtown’s ability to rebound after the recession. There are clear opportunities for downtowns to take advantage of consumer, economic, and environmental trends that will direct activity back to our central business districts. While downtowns are all different, their leaders should consider the five opportunities found in this issue as they prepare for recovery

Ten Things Your Organization Can Do During Difficult Economic Times

The following suggestions were recently offered by the National Trust Main Street Center in response to current economic conditions. While the focus in on Main Street programs, the suggestions are applicable to other types of commercial district groups.

Ten Global Trends Affecting Downtowns

Profound changes are occurring across the globe, and it is often difficult to understand and translate these changes on the local level. Progressive Urban Management Associates compiled and analyzed research to assist downtowns and communities better anticipate and respond to global change. This article presents ten major trends affecting American downtowns were identified in order to provide perspective and discussion in considering these forces in local decisions.

Green Downtowns – Environmentally-Responsible Practices for Business Districts

The ”greening” of downtown has become increasingly common across North America and Europe. Green downtowns promote environmentally-responsible practices and offer a range of economic advantages. While this trend is partially fueled by an overall growth in “green” consumers it is primarily driven by the fact that a green downtown is a desirable place to live, work, and visit. There is no specific formula to make a downtown green: indeed, this effort is largely based upon the unique attributes and passionate creativity of eachcommunity. This issue suggests some specific initiatives, ranging from simple to more involved, that can assist your community advance its own greening of downtown

Downtown Economics

Division of Extension

Ideas and Perspectives

Economic Development Tools for Commercial Districts

Bringing Green Buildings Downtown

Low Cost, High Impact Building Improvements Downtown

Preparing for Economic Recovery

Branding for Downtown Success

Supporting Entrepreneurship Downtown

Why Downtowns will Shine After the Economic Storm

Ten Things Your Organization Can Do During Difficult Economic Times

Ten Global Trends Affecting Downtowns

Green Downtowns – Environmentally-Responsible Practices for Business Districts