Small communities with limited or no industry often face challenges in improving their downtown areas. However, this situation also contributes to their unique charm. There are many low-cost strategies available for beautifying your downtown, but these initiatives require the support and participation of local residents, volunteers and most importantly property owners.
Here are a few ideas to enhance your downtown area and attract pedestrians and increase commerce:
- Establish a Farmers’ Market – connect with a local farm and artisans.
- Build a Community Garden – if you have a location with access to water.
- Plan a Spring Clean Up Walk – provide your community with trash bags and a pick up schedule for collected waste.
- Throw a Block Party or hold a National Night Out strengthening the bond between neighbors and law enforcement while fostering a true sense of community.
- Start an “Adopt a Planter or Park Bench” program – reach out to area businesses and civic organizations to participate.
- Initiate a Community Art Project – involve the area school(s) and local artisans.
- Redesign a Crosswalk – engage the public to entice ideas.
- Create a Walking Tour – use historical monuments, facts and interesting trivia about your community.
Collaborating with landlords to upgrade storefronts in your downtown area can significantly transform old buildings. Consider implementing a new signage campaign, adding or enhancing landscaping, resurfacing parking areas, or renovating the exterior facades. A few coats of fresh paint can make a big difference.
If there are empty storefronts, engage with the owners to explore ways to repurpose those spaces. Filling vacancies can be quite challenging due to online competition and large bulk retailers, but many industries might benefit from utilizing these properties. A few options include adult education centers, child day care facilities, after-school youth centers, music and/or dance studios offering lessons, consignment shops, or pet food and grooming services.
Repurposing old buildings can also breathe new life into a downtown area. If a building is vacant, think about transforming it into co-working spaces for entrepreneurs to share rent and utilities, or setting up a retail incubator where business owners can test the market on a smaller scale. Some communities have found success with “pop-up shops,” which allow local business owners to occupy vacant storefronts free of charge for a limited time.
While larger scale projects like these do need funding, there are grants available to help. Make sure to tailor your application to meet your specific needs and check for relevant grant funding opportunities.
Capital Strategic Solutions assists our clients with researching grant opportunities and obtaining grant funding each year by crafting compelling applications and identifying ways to scale effective programs. We offer a full variety of grant writing, management, and technical assistance services customized to the needs of our clients. For more information, email us at [email protected].