Ortonville- Voters flushed sewers last November, but the Main Street program is forging ahead in the village.
After a daylong evaluation Jan. 26, the Downtown Development Authority learned the village was reaccredited as a Main Street community.
‘They are doing great, the best they can,? said Alex Hritcu, Main Street Oakland County assistant program coordinator. ‘It is challenging without sewers to get more development in there. They (the DDA) are going to be working with us and our small business development group and looking at market information so they can attract new businesses that aren’t as intensive on sewers? a clothing store as opposed to a cafe, for example.?
The Main Street program is a national economic development program which assists communities in preserving historic buildings and emphasizes ‘a sense of place.? Resources provided through the program include facade grants, an architect to design plans, and educational support to help downtowns be successful in attracting both businesses and customers.
The 10 criteria used to evaluate progress in Main Street communities are broad-based community support; vision and mission statements; historic preservation ethic; paid, professional DDA/Main Street Program Director; program of ongoing training; reporting of key statistics; Main Street Network membership; comprehensive work plan; active board and committees and adequate operating budget. Communities must meet all 10 criteria annually to receive accreditation and maintain standing in the program.
Ortonville is one of 11 ‘select? communities in the county who are eligible to receive a full range of Main Street services.
Molly LaLone, DDA executive director and Main Street manager for the village, said the MSOC evaluation was helpful in pinpointing what steps the village can take in continuing to grow without sewers.
‘The biggest thing that came out during our meeting was that we could use more information about historic preservation,? said LaLone. ‘It’s in the details. We think we’re doing a pretty good job getting things done, but because we don’t have an educated eye, we’re missing stuff and it chips away at the integrity of the downtown. That will be a focus this year.?
LaLone and the DDA plan to use information and technology from MSOC to do a market analysis of the community and pinpoint where area residents are spending money, they products they spend money on, whether the village is currently satisfying demands, and if not, whether a business can be recruited to meet needs.
‘Our priority is filling empty storefronts intelligently and businesses that will be successful regardless if we have excellent septics or sewers, businesses that will thrive with marketing and infrastructure that we have,? said LaLone. ‘Going after the right mix of businesses, will help the businesses we have.?
She is excited about recycling and upcycling businesses the village welcomed last year? For the Love of Local and Mayhem Designz? and is hoping occupants will be found for four vacant commercial properties downtown.
‘Ortonville is a fun town, a busy, happy place and businesses like coming into town because of those things,? LaLone said.