The Medallion, Volume 49, Number 4, Fall 2011 Page: 12
15 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THC OUTREACH
Building an Effectiv,
National Expert Shares Business Develop-
ment Tips
at THC SeminarBy Debra Farst
W ftir r 6 (nsrt r l .
For small businesses, the magic comes
from the support and encouragement of an
entrepreneurial environment.
Although patrons may feel enchanted
when visiting a historic downtown,
there's actually nothing magical about the
experience. Behind
every successful
downtown is a
well-planned
strategy for making
things happen.
The coordination
of many partners-
including local
government, a
management
organization, and property and
business owners-is critical in
becoming a high-functioning
downtown commercial district.
The most effective effort involves a
community-driven approach. This
community engagement philosophy N
is a primary premise of the Main S
Street model.
In recognition of its 30th TEXAS I
anniversary as a state coordinating
program, the Texas Historical
Commission's (THC) Texas Main Street
Program held a series of seminars
throughout 2011 on topics related to the
national Main Street Four Point Approach:TM
organization, design, economic
restructuring, and promotion. The seminar
series was made possible through a grant
provided by Preserve America and the
National Park Service.The final seminar, presented by Rick
Ferrell, principal of Wilmington, Del.-based
Retail Market Answers, LLC, focused on
proactive business recruitment, retention,
and expansion for historic downtowns.
According to Ferrell, the three-part process
for creating sustainable growth includesDowntown vibrancy comes from activities that
encourage use of historic places and successful
businesses, such as Denton's Beth Marie's
Ice Cream (left) and a summer music series at
Denton's county courthouse.
assessment, planning, and action. He says
that five things are necessary for effective
business development: a building and
business inventory; understanding the
local market; an ongoing willingness to
establish and cultivate relationships withproperty and business owners, real estate
brokers, and developers; planning for
business recruitment and retention; and
an effective communications and public
relations structure.
Ferrell claims financial incentives
are commonly used in communities
across the country to spur local business
development, but they should be viewed
only as a component of a larger plan.
"In these competitive and challenging
economic times, communities offering
business development incentives may find
themselves more attractive to prospective
businesses and redevelopers than those
who do not have incentives," said Ferrell.
In a successful Main Street
environment, the plan features historic
preservation as the basis of all activity.
These activities require the cooperation
of all stakeholders, which is
why effective partnerships are
so critical to the downtown
economic development effort.
"Ultimately, when everyone
[CA is working together, the line-
)ur Heritage up of businesses represents
the highest and
best use of each
S: building and parcel
in the commercial
business district,"
says Ferrell, adding
.. 'that a keypoint to
keep in mind isan
effective downtown
revitalization program
must be structured
to be sustained
over time.
Local Main Street programs in Texas
are a testament to this concept. Nearly
60 Texas programs have been officially
designated for 10 years or more. Of those,
36 have participated continuously.
For those interested in Ferrell's
detailed business development tips, his
presentation and supplementary materials
are available at www.thc.state.tx.us/
mainstreet/mswork.shtml. *TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
www.thc.state.tx.us
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Texas Historical Commission. The Medallion, Volume 49, Number 4, Fall 2011, periodical, Autumn 2011; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth253479/m1/12/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.