[This information is brought to you by Laura Krizov and Joe Borgstrom at the Michigan Main Street Center]
- October 7 – Letters of Interest due by 4pm
- December 2 – Applications due by 4pm
- February 2012 – Review of applications by the MMS Advisory Committee
- End of February 2012 – Announcements
- March 2012 – Associate Level Orientation
- April 2012 – First training
The Associate Level is the first step in a three-tier training program in the fundamentals of downtown revitalization. Associate level trainings are held four times per year in locations throughout the state. The program is free; however, applicants to the Associate Level must commit to sending individuals to all scheduled trainings and to complete two reports annually on local efforts to raise awareness of the program.
Communities that have completed at least one year at the Associate Level may apply to the Selected Level, where training becomes more intensive and individualized to meet the needs of the local community. After five successful years at the Selected Level, communities can move to the Master Level, which entitles them to ongoing support and authorizes them to continue use of the Main Street name.
The Michigan Main Street Program has become one of the premier Main Street Programs in the country. In 2011, two of the top ten communities nominated for the national Great American Main Street Award were Michigan Main Street communities. Our communities have shown real, measurable progress in business and job growth, as well as in preservation and community engagement.
The application process is open to any Michigan community that would like to learn more about the benefits and local responsibilities of the Main Street Approach. For more information on how to apply, please visit our website at www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org; contact me at 517-241-4237 or email krizovl@michigan.gov. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.