California Main Streets Gets Results

Grass Valley Downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts in the California Main Streets network have generated more than 6,300 new businesses and 22,000 new jobs since 1985. These communities have invested more than $320 million in public design improvements and private facade and building rehabilitations.

The National Main Street Center estimates that for every dollar a community invests in its local Main Street program, $39.22 is reinvested in the district. With an average cost of $1,878 per job created, it is also one of the most effective economic development programs in the country.

Strategies for Revitalizing Our Downtowns and Neighborhoods: Evaluating California Main Street Programs for the Local Government Commission (LGC)
LGC received a grant from the James Irvine Foundation in December 2001 to conduct a study that would assist California Main Streets in evaluating and maximizing its effectiveness as an economic development program. LGC contracted with Eichenfield & Associates to design the evaluation, conduct the study and prepare the results. The reports and brochures are being distributed to state officials, legislators, local communities and the media, and are being used by the state to develop future workplans for California Main Street. Free copies can be downloaded in PDF format at lgc.org.

Success by the numbers:

In a recent survey of California Main Streets that have been in the program seven years or more, the results have been impressive:

The net number of businesses in the program area increased 24%.
The net number of jobs increased 31%.
Retail sales increased 105%.
Commercial property values increased 167%.
Storefront vacancy rates declined 76%.
Retail and office rental rates increased 65% and 71%, respectively.

Source: "The Impact of a Main Street Program on a Local Economy," Eichenfield & Associates, July 2002. Median increases per community based on survey of 16 local programs designated between 1985 and 1996.