The very name brings to mind thriving economies and bustling downtown businesses where streets are filled with residents and visitors. Main Street West Virginia and West Virginia ON TRAC are working throughout the state to realize and continue that vision in our communities. Explore West Virginia by experiencing life in our cities and small towns. Visit the charming neighborhoods, historic attractions and distinctive architecture that give each Main Street community its own unique personality. Venture down West Virginia’s Main Streets, one by one, and connect with a wild, wonderful state of being! WV Main Street Communities:
Charleston East End
Charleston West Side
Fairmont
Kingwood
Mannington
Martinsburg
Morgantown
Philippi
Point Pleasant
Ripley
Ronceverte
White Sulphur Springs
WV ON TRAC Communities:
Belington
Beverly
Charles Town
Elkins
Madison
Marlinton
Parkersburg
Parsons
Romney
Rowlesburg
Shinnston
Sutton
Wheeling
The Main Street program uses a common-sense approach to tackle the complex challenges of downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization, capitalizing on the history and unique assets of each community. Main Street West Virginia is a program of the Community Development Division of the West Virginia Development Office, in affiliation with the National Main Street Center. MAIN STREET FOCUS
Started in 1988, Main Street West Virginia works with state-certified and nationally-accredited communities throughout West Virginia. The program focuses on economic revitalization of the historic central business districts
using the Main Street Four Point Approach®. This proven method has been successfully utilized in more than 2,000 communities nationwide. The Main Street Four Point Approach®:
– Organization: Organize community resources
– Promotion: Promote the community, events, business
– Design: Improving all physical aspects of the town
– Economic Restructuring: Restructuring and improving the downtown economy
Through program technical assistance and using the Main Street Four Point Approach®, West Virginia’s Main Street communities learn to make revitalization efforts more effective and customized to meet local needs, such as:
• Business retention and recruitment
• Retail promotion
• Market analysis
• Vision and strategic planning
• Fundraising
• Property development
• Downtown design
• Plus other innovative efforts
Revitalizing communities provides a sense of pride and commitment in neighborhoods, and empowers the people, businesses, and organizations to achieve ongoing transformation. Main Street communities experience: an increase in local and visitor traffic through shopping, cultural and social activities; a stabilized or improved housing market; an
increase in customers and sales; and an improved image. By revitalizing a downtown area, a community:
• Protects the existing tax base. The Main Street program protects and enhances private investment in banks, businesses and commercial property and public
investment in water and sewer lines, streets and sidewalks.
• Creates an incubator for business development. A viable downtown offers opportunities and incentives for new entrepreneurs, such as lower rent and technical assistance.
• Attracts industrial development. A well-rounded commercial district reflects the overall image a community projects to potential investors. An invigorated
downtown makes a positive statement about the entire community.
• Provides a point-of-focus and stability. A vibrant downtown connects the whole community and region with a sense of pride and a positive self-image. It serves
as an anchor by providing stability that is necessary for economic growth. ADVANCING COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC VITALITY
In 2008, Main Street West Virginia created the West Virginia ON TRAC (Organization, Training, Revitalization, and Capacity) program to assist West Virginia communities in their efforts to boost economic and community growth. One of the first in the country, the ON TRAC program evaluates, educates and assists communities to prepare them for more advanced technical services through the Main Street program. ON TRAC is ideal for communities exploring methods for increasing their capacity for downtown commercial district revitalization– whether they plan on pursuing full Main Street designation or not.
