Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06. 21-472SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 21-472 RESOLUTION (CARRIED___5-0____LOST_______LAID OVER_______WITHDRAWN_______) PURPOSE: APPROVE SUBMITTAL OF WISCONSIN MAIN STREET CONNECT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM APPLICATION TO WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INITIATED BY: BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh advocates for a vibrant and economically energized downtown district; and WHEREAS, the city’s Common Council adopted the Downtown Redevelopment Plan and Implementation Strategy in 1980 in an effort to increase organizational efforts between the public and private sectors; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh Common Council established a Business Improvement District (BID) in 1987 to assist downtown business owners and coordinate their marketing, promotion, property management, revitalization, and retention program efforts; and WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin, through the former Department of Commerce and now administered by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), created its Main Street and Connect Communities Program to support downtown community development throughout the state of Wisconsin by providing technical assistance to communities in the planning, management, and implementation of strategic development projects in downtowns and urban neighborhoods. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh Common Council approves the BID’s submittal of an application for the Wisconsin Main Street Connect Communities Program to Wisconsin Economic Corporation and supports its application for fiscal year 2022. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5000 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Kelly Nieforth, Community Development Director DATE: September 23, 2021 RE: Approve Submittal of Wisconsin Main Street Connect Communities Program Application to Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation BACKGROUND The Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District (BID) is submitting an application for enrollment in Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Main Street Connect Communities Program beginning in fiscal year 2022. A component of the application process seeks the endorsement of the local governance body for the organization’s enrollment in the program. ANALYSIS Wisconsin’s Main Street and Connect Communities Program support downtown community development throughout the state of Wisconsin by providing technical assistance to communities in the planning, management, and implementation of strategic development projects in downtowns and urban neighborhoods. Participating organizations in the program receive operational assistance including access to educational workshops, webinars and conferences, networking opportunities, and an online resource guide. The more recently-established Connect Communities program is a prerequisite for involvement in the larger Main Street program. The attached brochure provides additional details on the program. There are currently 85 Main Street program participating organizations active in Wisconsin. Neighboring communities with active Main Street programs include Omro, Ripon, Berlin and Fond du Lac. FISCAL IMPACT There is an annual fee of $200 for enrollment in this program, which is included within the BID’s budget. RECOMMENDATION The Common Council approves the BID’s submittal of an application to WEDC for the Wisconsin Main Street Connect Communities Program. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Kelly Nieforth Mark A. Rohloff Community Development Director City Manager 201 W. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703 • 855-INWIBIZ • InWisconsin.com REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN® Downtowns and historic commercial districts play an important role in their communities and in Wisconsin’s overall economy, functioning not only as prominent employment and business centers, but oftentimes as the cultural and civic heart of the community. Successful commercial districts don’t just happen. They need to be planned and nurtured. Their prosperity requires interest and action from many stakeholders who share a vision for the future. HOW IT WORKS Two programs exist to assist Wisconsin communities with revitalization efforts: Main Street and Connect Communities. These programs help local leaders leverage the unique assets of their downtowns and commercial districts, providing access to resources and networking opportunities to support local revitalization efforts. Participants in both the Wisconsin Main Street Program and the Connect Communities Program receive operational assistance including access to educational workshops, webinars and conferences; networking opportunities; and an online resource guide—all designed to facilitate revitalization of downtowns and urban commercial districts. These programs benefit a diverse array of communities by size and geography, supporting the efforts of both emerging and established revitalization programs. Resources provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to foster vibrant commercial centers include: •Regional workshops on pertinent topics •Annual conference programming •Regular webinars and discussion calls •Online resource toolkit and best practice guide •Regional networking events •Staff and board orientation training CONNECT COMMUNITIES AND MAIN STREET APPLICATION DETAILS A competitive application process is used to identify communities that are ready and able to advance downtown revitalization initiatives. Main Street applicants must have paid staff and meet minimum budget requirements. Both Main Street and Connect Communities applicants should demonstrate the following: •Defined downtown/commercial district •Need for assistance •Organizational stability •Availability of local support and resources For more information about the Connect Communities and Main Street Programs, contact: Errin Welty, CEcD, EDFP Tel. 608.210.6832 email: errin.welty@wedc.org CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLACES > 201 W. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703 • 855-INWIBIZ • InWisconsin.com CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLACES > ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS A participating community must have an organization or group that focuses on downtown/historic commercial district issues, be able to commit to participation in education and training opportunities, and fulfill annual reporting requirements. Communities will be required to sign a participation agreement with WEDC, and Connect Communities will pay an annual participation fee of $200. APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS Connect Communities applications are accepted twice per year: in the spring and in the fall. Main Street applications are due annually in mid-April.