INTRODUCTION

Illinois communities are working to preserve their downtown's and recapture downtown's important "sense of place" through Illinois Main Street, a preservation-based economic development program in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood.

Modeled after the successful Four-Point Approach developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center, Illinois Main Street helps communities:

1. Build an effective volunteer-driven downtown management organization, guided by professional staff, with broad-based public and private sector support.

2. Enhance the design and appearance of downtown through historic preservation.

3. Create a unified, quality image and develop promotion strategies that bring people downtown.

4. Retain and strengthen existing downtown businesses, recruit appropriate new businesses, and develop appropriate economic restructuring strategies to sustain the economic vitality of the downtown.

Mainstreet Tuscola is the organization which provides Tuscola's downtown businesses with long term management and direction as well as access to professional design and marketing assistance form the Illinois Main Street Program.

Mainstreet Tuscola is the only organization whose sole concern is downtown Tuscola, which we believe to be the heart of, as well as an important part of, Tuscola's economy and tourist drawing power. Mainstreet is comprised of six blocks between Pembroke and Wilson, Center and Parke/Washington (including businesses which face those block) plus Main Street from downtown to US Highway 36.

MISSION

The mission of Mainstreet Tuscola is to reestablish downtown Tuscola as the heart of our community . By focusing a commmunity-wide volunteer effort on the critical elements of Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring, while at the same time encouraging historic preservation, our goal is to strengthen the social and economic health of our downtown and our community. Mainstreet Tuscola is a working organization.

GOALS FOR MAINSTREET TUSCOLA

Organization
The organization committee will ensure that Mainstreet Tuscola is a strong and viable organization which is well structured, well funded and committed to the future. The committee will also build consensus and cooperation between groups which have an interest in downtown.

Design
The design committee will improve the downtown's image by enhancing its physical appearance via building, window displays, signage, sidewalks, promotional materials and all other elements that convey a visual message about what the downtown is and what it has to offer.

Promotion
The promotion committee will market the downtown's unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new business and tourists through effective promotions and festivals. The committee's objective is to create a positive image of the downtown through retail promotion activity, special events and ongoing programs to build positive perceptions of Tuscola.

Economic Restructuring
The economic restructuring committee will strengthen and diversify the existing economic base by providing information and research to existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and converting unused spaced into productive property.

MAINSTREET CONTACT INFORMATION

Mainstreet Tuscola Office
PO Box 145
Tuscola, IL 61953
217-253-2552
email:brian.moody@tuscola.org