Downtown Clawson is the latest community to join the Oakland County Main Street program, a move that could take the historic section of town to the next level by gaining access to the program's dollars, ideas and promotion.
Main Street Oakland County was the nation's first countywide Main Street program when it formed in 2000, and since then it's become one of the most successful, ranking among the top in return on investment in downtown Main Streets nationwide.
Clawson brings its own successes: 10 new downtown businesses in the last two years and a new streetscape, additional parking and other visitor-friendly changes last year.
Clawson becomes the 12th community to join Oakland County's Main Street program, which is part of the national
Main Street Center in Washington, D.C. It is part of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation and promotes the saving and redevelopment of existing downtowns and also taps into the trend of businesses and people looking to walkable, connected, historic, diverse Main Streets.
In 2010, Main Street Oakland County facilitated $22,306,504 in public and private investment, which included 1,084 new, full-time jobs and 144 new businesses across its 11 communities. In addition, 246 buildings were rehabilitated.
Joan Horton, the executive director of
Clawson's Downtown Development Authority, says in a statement announcing Clawson's decision to join MSOC, “we’re very excited to continue our relationship with Main Street Oakland County and to preserve, protect and enjoy downtown Clawson.”
Source: Bill Mullan, spokesman, Oakland County
Writer: Kim North Shine
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