By Renée Leta // Photographs by Kevin Edwards
Main Street America has been helping revitalize historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today, it’s a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share a commitment to place and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. The state’s Main Street program, within the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, coordinates with the national Main Street America.
Chelsea Gauthier, the Utah Main Street coordinator, leads a network of passionate community members engaged in historic commercial district revitalization. She offers her perspective on how the program brings people together to strengthen local economies, preserve the heart of communities, and celebrate unique places.
How does the program strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts?
Utah Main Street isn’t just a project or a grant; it’s an ongoing process grounded in an implementation strategy tailored to locally initiated goals and objectives. Participating communities receive various forms of assistance, all of which directly or indirectly support the local organization and local director in developing community assets and identifying and addressing weaknesses.
Being a Main Street community means undertaking a comprehensive revitalization effort based on Main Street America’s 4-Point Approach: Design, Economic Vitality, Promotion, and Organization. This approach is a unique economic development tool that enables communities to enhance downtown and neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets.
How many Main Street communities are there in Utah?
In 2024, 16 Utah Main Street communities were designated with Utah Main Street and Main Street America as Affiliate Communities. We anticipate that in the next couple of years, a Utah community will receive the highest designation of Accreditation from Main Street America by achieving exemplary local main street organization and impact.
How do rural communities participate in Utah Main Street?
A large percentage of communities in Utah Main Street are rural communities. These communities include Castle Dale, Gunnison, Heber City, Parowan, Salina, Vernal, Cedar City, Helper, Mt. Pleasant, Price, Tooele, and small cities – Brigham City and Payson.
In 2023, 10 rural Utah communities and two small cities, with a population under 50,000 residents, measured the revitalization and economic impact within their Main Street districts. Together, these communities created 666 new jobs, 73 new businesses, 46 new housing units, and public and private investments of more than $7 million.
The Main Street approach is about doing things with the community, not for the community. Some 8,000 hours of volunteer work were recorded in rural communities showing that Main Streets are places of shared memories and stories from both the past and present. Volunteers get involved in planning events, helping with beautification projects, and serving as ambassadors for their local community.
How do Main Street partners benefit from working with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office?
Main Street districts feature small mom-and-pop shops and contribute to the local economy. They act as economic engines and cultural centers. SHPO provides several key benefits to the program and its partners including:
- Expertise in preservation, critical for maintaining and restoring the historic commercial architecture that characterizes Utah Main Street districts.
- Technical assistance for building projects, aiding partners and grant recipients in managing the complexities of restoration and preservation.
- Collaborations with other agencies that can enhance a local program’s impact by integrating cultural, artistic, and community service elements into Main Street projects.
- Access to preservation-based funding, tax credits, and grants.
- Educational resources and training that help communities, individuals, property owners, and others understand best practices in historic preservation and community revitalization.
How does Main Street America strengthen your work in Utah?
Being a part of the broader Main Street America network gives communities access to networking with other local Main Street organizations across the country, sharing resources and technical assistance. Further, Main Street America partners work with a range of nationally recognized corporations, foundations, government entities, and organizations to deliver grants and technical services to support thriving local economies and inviting public spaces.
Two Utah Main Street communities, Helper and Payson, have received the T-Mobile Main Street America Grant. And recently, Front Porch Twang Boutique in Cedar City and the Vernal Theater received the American Express Backing Small Businesses’ $10,000 grant to support these small business owners. We’re thrilled to hear that these businesses were selected among competitive national grant pools. Later this year, the American Express Small Business grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses across the country.
How does downtown revitalization lead to more community engagement?
Downtown revitalization is seen through community gathering spaces and public areas with well-designed spaces — such as walkable spaces, blade signs, benches and sidewalk tables and chairs. It’s also exemplified through activities such as festivals, farmers markets, and downtown events that bring people together to celebrate local culture, pride, and what makes their community unique.
Parowan for example, is known as a gateway community with spectacular scenic attractions such as Brian Head and Cedar Breaks, a scenic byway, and a strong historic fabric. Plus, don’t forget to try one of the delicious cinnamon rolls from Parowan Cafe! They have been making cinnamon rolls for more than 100 years.
How can interested communities get involved?
On Aug. 1, applications for Utah Main Street will be opening. Communities who are exploring the Main Street approach can apply to Tier 1 of the program from Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. To begin the application process, review the Tier 1 Promising Communities Application Checklist.
Communities in Tier 1 who have met the requirements and demonstrate a commitment and dedicated efforts to building, growing, and sustaining successful historic downtown districts are asked to apply to Tier 2 of the program. This application opens Oct. 1.
Communities who have a commitment and dedicated efforts to building, growing, and sustaining successful historic downtown districts are asked to apply to Tier 2 of the program. This application opens Oct. 1.
Questions? Contact Chelsea Gauthier at [email protected], or visit this site to learn more about the Utah Main Street program.