Support Minnesota Main Streets!

By Shannon Laing, Minnesota Main Streets Manager

Shakopee, MN

Rethos has been a proud Main Street America Coordinating Partner for over a decade, and our Minnesota Main Streets (MMS) program has had the honor of working with dozens of Minnesota towns, cities, and urban neighborhood commercial districts during this time.

Unfortunately, legislative changes and subsequent consequences affecting the primary funding source for this program have been taking its toll, requiring a reevaluation of the structure and staffing for Minnesota Main Streets.

Although we are currently at capacity for participation in MMS, support for our current Minnesota Main Streets districts will continue to be our primary focus as a new structure and additional services are explored. During this time of transition, current MMS programs will continue the work of transforming their downtowns into vibrant places of community pride.

I invite the supporters of Rethos to learn more about our Main Street program and visit these communities. Historic buildings give an immediate unique sense of place to each of our program areas, so preservation is a key element to Design and Promotion – two of the Main Street Four Point Approaches™.

I also encourage you to urge your legislators to consider funding for the Minnesota Main Street program. State funding is an integral part of the majority of Main Street Coordinating Partners throughout the country, but Minnesota Main Streets currently does not receive any State or Federal assistance despite the positive economic impact in districts that utilize this program. With additional funding, we would be able to expand the reach of this proven program.

For more information about how you can help support Minnesota Main Streets at Rethos, please contact Erin Hanafin Berg: erin@rethos.org or Shannon Laing shannon@rethos.org.