The Business Growth and Development Committee’s mission is to create a climate in downtown Madison where businesses can succeed and prosper. The committee focuses on locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs, and assists them through market-driven strategies that include providing information about the local market, identifying resources for business improvement, recruiting compatible and appropriate businesses, and encouraging public policies and incentives that support downtown business growth and commercial property development.

Key 2016  projects included:

• Supporting the America’s Best Communities plan for the Mulberry Street revitalization project
• Establishing the first Business Recognition Awards for Outstanding Main Street Businesses
• Assisting with the development of the enhanced new Farmer’s Market organization
• Assisting with preparation for the Stellar Communities application
• Serving as a consulting party for Project 421

2017 Initiatives Include:

• Helping to improve business web sites and hosting a social media workshop for merchants
• Comprehensive market analysis for the Main Street district to provide valuable insight for current and potential new businesses
• Creating a Business Location Guide
• Sponsoring and coordinating the Main Street Advantage Business Plan Contest
• Planning and hosting the second Main Street Loft Tour on October 7th, 2017
• Continued support for our local Farmer’s Market
• Provide support for arts-related business development
• Work with the city of Madison to support the Main Street components of the city’s Comprehensive Plan

The Design Committee works to enhance the physical elements of downtown while capitalizing on the unique assets that set the commercial district apart.  The Design Committee’s projects are wide-reaching and include things such as: the creation of pedestrian friendly streets for a more connected community; visual merchandising through the improvement of storefront window displays and signage; adaptive reuse of older and historic buildings; and improvements to Madison’s streetscape.

Key 2016  projects included:

• Initiating a Vacant Storefront Display program
• Receiving a grant award of $10,000 from OCRA for the Mulberry Street Façade Improvement Project

• Assisting with the America’s Best Communities project

2017 Initiatives Include:

• Enhancing the Vacant Storefront Display program
• Continued work on façade and streetscape improvements for the Mulberry Street revitalization project

The Organization Committee provides the framework that keeps the program’s financial health strong. They focus their efforts on securing funding for the Madison Main Street Program through the Friends of Main Street Program and by assisting in securing sponsorships and volunteers for various Main Street Program events, including Fourth Fridays and Music in the Park. They are the communication arm of the program as they are responsible for the program’s newsletters, the Madison Main Street website, and social media.

Key 2016  projects included:

• Hosting annual Wine and Cheese celebration in January to thank our members and recognize our sponsors
• Increasing funding for the program through new memberships and new business sponsors

2017 Initiatives Include:

• Completing Merchant Survey project
• Launching the new Madison Main Street website
• Planning and coordinating two Meet and Greet events
• Updating the Madison Main Street Bylaws