Oregon's small-town charm is getting a big boost as the Oregon Main Street (OMS) network swells to 102, with the City Club of Forest Grove and Main Street Cascade Locks stepping up the ranks to the Affiliated Main Street level. This coveted slot puts these two communities on track to preserve their historic character while spurring economic growth in the heart of their downtowns, according to an announcement from the OMS program.
These communities ain't just joining a club, they're committing to the Main Street Approach, a tried-and-true set of strategies focused on rehabilitation, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring around historic cores, the OMS confirmed this in an official statement. Being on the Affiliated Main Street level means getting your act together with a solid base of businesses and old-time buildings that give a nod to the town's architectural past, and there's a catch, they've got to be packed tight enough to make a difference and friendly for folks on foot.
Oregonians from these towns won't have to dip into their pockets to join the OMS Network, as there is no fee, but what they'll gain is invaluable. The program offers newcomers some hand-holding with training, community assessments, and assistance to build their capacity, according to the OMS announcement.
Getting this title wasn't easy. The towns had to show off their main streets, previous efforts to improve them, readiness to join the Main Street program, and have a team ready to lead. Cascade Locks is just starting with a local Main Street group, while Forest Grove found a partner in City Club for downtown revitalization
With now 100 communities humming along on varying levels of the OMS Network, from accredited hotshots to those just dipping their toes in, there's a growing movement in Oregon to bring back the sparkle to its downtowns, local pride at its finest, mixing the old with the new for a better place to call home.
