Main Street Now - March/April 2010

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Growing Your Volunteer Program: Another Four-Point Approach

by Todd Noon

Todd Noon takes a four-point approach to developing a strong volunteer program: find a sponsor for your volunteer program; have a robust recruitment plan; work hard to retain volunteers; and recognize everyone's contributions in a meaningful way. Learn how to improve each facet of your volunteerism program and how to put together a successful sponsorship package.

Manager, Manager: How Does Your Program Grow?

By Jan Miller

Through cultivating, nurturing, and pruning your Main Street program, you can become the manager you’ve always wanted to be. Get the tools to grow your Main Street program.

Making the Business Case for Retail Leasing

By Erin Welty

Filling vacant retail space is a persistent challenge. Every commercial district has a few stubborn vacancies that detract from its visual appeal. Find out how to assess these spaces and work with resistant landlords.

Revisiting a Great American Main Street

By Dustin Shane

 “You never stop being a GAMSA.”  Revisit Dubuque, Iowa’s oldest Main Street community and its first Great American Main Street Award winner. See how it has built on its success and become a sustainable, thriving, celebrated downtown.

Real Estate Today: Zoning Codes

By Andrew Farrell 

Get to know zoning. Revised zoning codes and updated land-use plans give communities the ability to shape their future while protecting their past. Learn how zoning can help prevent a preservation or revitalization crisis.

Main Street at Work: Multicultural Merchandising 

By Norma Rameriz de Miess

Visual merchandising helps convey the personality of the business owner as well as the market the store is trying to attract. Norma Ramirez de Miess discusses the importance of understanding multicultural design preferences as our business environment becomes increasingly diverse.

Network Notes

By Andrea L. Dono

Is Walmart coming to a Main Street near you? Read about the discounter’s smaller, urban-store format. What is micro-volunteering and how can it benefit your program? See how a New Jersey Main Street town blocked a utility’s plans to install a huge electronic billboard at the entrance to town, and check out new insurance benefits for Main Street Network members.