MADISON – Governor Scott Walker announced that Wisconsin’s Main Street Program helped start 232 businesses, expand 80 businesses, and create 899 new full-time jobs, according to its 2010-2011 annual report. The Wisconsin Main Street Program is coordinated by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as part of its overall community development strategy.
“Wisconsin has a great track record of helping small businesses and creating jobs in our historic downtowns,” said Governor Walker. “This commitment by communities and the State resulted in more than $37 million being invested in our communities to grow businesses and create jobs.”
“Economic development is about leveraging our assets. Many of our downtowns have the ability to be a catalyst for local job growth,” said Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC. “Downtown development provides the programs and locations to support entrepreneurship in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in Wisconsin. The WEDC selects communities to join the program. These communities receive technical support and training needed to restore their Main Streets to centers of community activity and commerce. Wisconsin has 38 communities designated as Main Street communities, with Omro and Waterford added this summer.
Other highlights of WEDC’s downtown development in 2010-2011 include:
- 283 building facade rehabilitations completed, with $10.4 million invested in that rehabilitation.
- 69 property/business owners were provided renderings for rehabilitation.
- 38 Main Street Communities received specialized training.
- Assisted with 29 business plans, 12 of which attracted financing.
- Beloit won the Great American Main Street Award, and Marshfield was a semi-finalist for the Great American Main Street Award.
Since the Main Street Program was started in 1987, 4,262 businesses have been created, 1,476 businesses expanded, and 18,764 full-time jobs created. Every state dollar invested through the Wisconsin Main Street Program produces a $52.36 return on investment, which includes additional real estate, sales and income taxes generated.
Read the 2010-2011 Wisconsin Main Street Report at: http://wedc.org/mainstreet.
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