Revitalize your town, economy
Revitalizing downtowns can be one tool to boost local economies, according to Jack Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA." Several local communities are in various stages of downtown projects, hoping to bring businesses and people to their main streets. Those community leaders attended Schultz's workshop in Nappanee this week. Elkhart In Elkhart, downtown revitalization has been a priority for 20 years, according to Sandra Geiser of Elkhart Centre Inc. Elkhart Centre employs a four-prong approach to improve Elkhart's downtown area, Geiser said. It teams up with other local organizations and corporations, works to incorporate aesthetically pleasing design elements downtown, pursues economic development and uses promotions and events to bring people downtown. This year, a pilot streetscape project will begin on the 100-200 blocks of North Main Street, Geiser said. "There is no one silver bullet, or one project that will completely change a downtown," Geiser said. "A city must take small incremental steps to improve its downtown." Goshen According to David Daugherty, Goshen Chamber of Commerce president, Goshen identified 54 recommendations to improve its downtown area. The city then approached 12 to 14 local "stakeholders" to divide up and take responsibility to make improvements. "LaCasa agreed to renovate two downtown apartment buildings, Face of the City is working on building facades and the convention and visitors bureau is working on downtown events," Daugherty said. "In the past, all these organizations were working separately to benefit the downtown. Now, we meet every other month with one vision. In just a few months, we've already seen changes." Goshen plans to start seeking grants for a streetscape project (involving infrastructure improvements) this year, he said. Nappanee In Nappanee, a major downtown renovation project will start this spring with a facelift one block north and south of U.S. 6. Both areas will see new sidewalks and landscaping. Larry Andrews, Nappanee Redevelopment Commission director, said 12,000 people work in the city each day, but only 6,500 residents live there. "This provides challenges for maintaining a vibrant downtown, as many people leave in the evening," Andrews said. "And when they leave, they take their paychecks with them."
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