Milford Downtown Ongoing Improvement

The Milford Downtown Ongoing Improvement Team, Milford DO-IT is a collaboration of community, government and business to promote prosperity and vitality in the Greater Milford Downtown area.

DO-IT was formed in 1992 as a grass roots initiative to see what steps could be taken to ensure a viable future for our downtown. Through the years, DO-IT has been inspired by the belief that Downtown Milford is the heart of the community, both symbolically and socially and that an economically strong downtown benefits all of Milford.

The Board of Directors of DO-IT have guided the organization and enlisted the support of the community by following the approaches set forth in the Main Street America Program focusing on the four points of organi zation, promotion, design and economic restructuring. DO-IT is a non- profit, incorporated organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors

Andrea Galligher, President	Downtown Business Owner
Chuck Worcester, Vice President	Downtown Business Owner
Kent Chappell, Treasurer	Milford Business Owner
Bill Parker, Secretary	Director of Planning & Building
Marilyn Kenison	Chair, Milford Board of Selectmen
Jack Ruonala	Milford Board of Selectrnen
Sue Beaubien	Downtown Landlord
Marc Chareth	Chamber of Commerce President
Jay Dinkel	Vice President Granite Bank
Allen White	Resident, Community Representative

Main Street is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Hampshire.

The NH Main Street Program was established in 1996 following the guidelines of the National Main Street Center which began in 1980. The purpose of Main Street is to encourage and support the revitalization of downtowns as centers of community activity and commerce.

The NH Main Street Center is established as a private, statewide entity dedicated to empowering each community within the state to maintain, strengthen and revitalize the unique physical, economic, historical and cultural characteristics of its own downtown center.

Each year, this being the first round of selections in NH, the Center will select 3 communities to join the program. Selection is based on a broad range of criteria which includes: community, business and government support, a history of the community's efforts for economic development and revitalization and a separate Downtown organization

Success of a Downtown Revitalization effort is realized through the comprehensive and incremental approach of the Main Street program. Four elements combine to create this well- balanced program:

Organization involves building a framework that is well-represented by civic groups, merchants, bankers, citizens, public officials, and chambers of commerce. A strong organization provides the stability to build and maintain a long-term effort.

Design enhances the attractiveness of the Downtown district. Historic building rehabilitations, street cleanups, colorful banners, landscape and lighting all improve the physical beauty of the downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in, and live.

Economic Restructuring involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses and sharpening the competitive ness of Downtown's tradition mer chants.

Promotion creates excitement downtown, Street festivals, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways a Main Street Program encourages consumer traffic in the downtown.

What Services Are Available to Communities Selected?

Communities selected to participate in the Nil Main street Program re ceive 3 years of free technical assis tance, including:
· Volunteer and program manager training
· Advanced training on specific downtown issues, such as markefing business recruitment, volunteer development and historic preservation
· On-site visits to help each commun ity develop its strengths and plan for success
· An overall value of the services offered by the NH Main street Center in the first year is over $20,000

Much has been accomplished over the past four years since DO-IT began. The talents, commitment and efforts of many individuals have contributed to the Downtown we see today.

But as our name states, Milford Downtown Ongoing Improvement Team, renovation is an ongoing process. Using only the physical "Field of Dreams" approach to downtown enhancement - "If you build it they will come" is just not enough to sustain growth and vitality. It requires a balanced and comprehensive plan implemented by a staff, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

We believe that a Main Street Program for Milford would give us the guidance and support needed to ensure the vitality of our Downtown for future generations.