Hometown Minnesota Workshop
May 23, 2008
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Initiative Foundation ,
405 First Street SE
Little Falls, Minnesota

Do small cities in Minnesota need a source of technical and financial assistance for strengthening their downtowns? Many states have a formal statewide Main Street™ program that provides such assistance to communities revitalizing their historic downtown areas. Minnesota has not had a formal statewide program for 14 years. Join Hometown Minnesota in Little Falls on Friday, May 23rd to let us know how a statewide program could help your community.

A group of interested organizations and individuals are working to create a new statewide Main Street™ program. Thom Guzman, Director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center will describe the benefits and limitations of a statewide program, and Bonnie McDonald, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, will describe the opportunity for creating a new statewide Minnesota program.

The workshop will address questions such as:

• How can a statewide program provide meaningful assistance to local communities?
• Should a statewide program be part of a state agency, a non-profit agency, or another form?
• How can the program address urban and neighborhood commercial centers, which also play a "Main Street" role in the community?
• What do small cities believe are the critical components of a statewide program?

Cost: $75.00 per workshop per community
Workshops are free to Hometown member communities. Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP to
Leah Posterick
320-631-2053
lposterick@ifound.org

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Hometown Minnesota, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded by communities active in the old Minnesota Main Street Program. Hometown Minnesota is an advocate for enhancing and revitalizing the heart of small Minnesota communities, the Main Street business district.

Hometown, Minnesota promotes sustainable local economic development, community character and local history, and community-based entrepreneurial development. By connecting Minnesota communities with resources, technical assistance, and the organizational experience of other communities, Hometown Minnesota helps communities preserve and restore their downtown districts.

Hometown Minnesota workshops are made possible through your memberships.

Become an Affiliate member or renew your membership today.

For additional information please contact:

Brian Ross
Hometown Minnesota, Inc.
2634 Vincent Avenue North Minneapolis, M 55411
612 - 588 - 4904 bross@crplanning.com