Massillon Main Street
Our Mission is to help entice businesses, shoppers and citizens to work, play and live in the great City of Massillon, Ohio.
Massillon Main Street's
Guiding Philosophy
Organization - Massillon Main Street works closely with the City, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Massillon Association and other organizations.
Economic Restructuring - Utilizing the great demographics of Massillon's central business area, often referred to as the “Historic District” to recruit new businesses that can be supported by our market.
Promotion - Working with the Chamber of Commerce, City of Massillon, Downtown Massillon Association, and other organizations to plan special events that bring awareness of Downtown Massillon.
Design - Placing emphasis on our historic buildings which gives Massillon its unique character and individual identity. Continue working for new pedestrian street lighting, quality signage, parking lot improvements, landscaping and maintenance of our green spaces. Meeting with business and property owners to discuss their buildings and signage plans and potential financial assistance from Massillon Main Street.
Massillon
Main Street's
Goals
Our goals are to continue the rehabilitation of downtown. While Massillon Main Street's approach provides the format for successful revitalization, implementation of the four-point approach is based on eight principles that pertain to all areas of revitalization.
The Principles of Success
Comprehensive – Commercial district revitalization is a complex process and cannot be accomplished through a single project. For successful and lasting results, a comprehensive approach must be used. Comprehensive means working on all points simultaneously.
Incremental – Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the process and help develop skills so more complex problems can be addressed and more ambitious projects can be undertaken. Starting small projects creates progress and momentum at the same time. At Massillon Main Street we call this incremental process “Crawl, Walk, Run."
Self-Help – Local leaders must have a desire and the will to make the project successful. The Main Street Program provides direction, ideas and training; but long-term success creates progress and momentum at the same time.
Public–Private Partnerships – Both public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical stability of the historic district. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the others strengths and limitations so that an effective partnership can be forged.
Identifying & Capitalizing on Existing Assets – Business districts must capitalize on assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities – such as distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging or businesses that have become local institutions.
Quality – Quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program. This applies equally to each element of the program – from storefront designs to promotional campaigns to educational programs.
Change – Changes in attitude and practice are necessary to improve economic conditions. Public support will grow as the program grows.
Implementation – Activity creates confidence in the program and even greater levels of participation. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization process is underway. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger activities as the revitalization effort matures.