It was a month of great news for
Main Street Clare, and by extension, Clare in general. It was one of ten communities in the state recognized as a nationally accredited Main Street community, and one of four to be chosen for branding and marketing assistance.
The national accreditation came through the National Trust Main Street Center, after the ten communities have been through Main Street training, meeting standards and going through an application process with the Michigan Main Street Center, which is part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
The other nine were Owosso, Scottville, Old Town Lansing, Iron Mountain, Portland, Boyne City, Calumet, Grand Haven and Niles.
The communities have to maintain their accreditation status through yearly evaluations.
Then, the Michigan Main Street Center chose Clare, Niles, Grand Haven and Boyne City as four pilot communities to receive downtown branding and marketing services.
"Each of these communities has shown a commitment to excellence through their years with the Michigan Main Street program," says Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center. "Our goal is to help them take their programs to the next level through strategic branding and marketing."
Each Main Street community will participate in creating a branding strategy, including logos and event logos, as well as new Web sites and employee training in Web site and brand management.
The branding and marketing strategy will take place over the next year, as community stakeholders meet with marketing professionals and branding design consultants. The new brands are planned to be ready for presentation at a National Trust Main Street Center conference on May 22.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Laura Krizov, Michigan Main Street Center
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