Main Street advocates are  commonly asked by city governments and businesses, “Why should we invest in downtown?”  In response, here are a few reasons why your downtown neighborhood commercial district is an important and worthwhile investment in the economic health and quality of life in your community.

• Main Streets are a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride, and community history. These are all factors in industrial, commercial, and professional recruitment.
• A vital Main Street retains and creates jobs, which also means a stronger tax base.  Long-term revitalization establishes capable businesses that use public services and province tax revenues for the community.
• Main Streets are a good incubator for new small businesses – the building blocks of a healthy economy.  Strip centers and malls are often too expensive for new entrepreneurs.
• A vital Main Street area battles sprawl by concentrating retail in one area and uses community resources wisely. Tax dollars have already been spent on existing infrastructure; reuse of land in downtown protects precious greenfields.
• A healthy Main Street core protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.
• The traditional commercial district is an ideal location for independent businesses, which:
  • Keep profits in town.  Chain businesses send profits out of town.
  • Support local family businesses owners.
  • Support local community projects, such as ball teams and schools.
  • Provide an extremely stable economic foundation, as opposed to a few large businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community.
• A revitalized Main Street increases the community’s options for goods and services whether for basic staples like clothing, food and professional events or housing and entertainment.
• Main Streets provide an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Parades, special events, and celebrations held there reinforce a sense of community.  Private developments like malls can and do restrict free speech and access.
• Main Street districts become tourist attractions by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selection of unique businesses, and events held there.