How the Manistee Main Street/DDA is making Michigan smile!

By Jodie Willobee
Promotion, Arts & Culture Specialist
Michigan Main Street Center
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

OK – I really don’t have any way to truly verify that our fair State of Michigan actually smiles. Sounds kind of ridiculous maybe, except I think we all know what she looks when she is unhappy. OK, you’ve got that picture in your head. Take a quick read and judge for yourself if this is the type of thing that can take her from a grumble to a grin.

Several on our Main Street team spent some time in Manistee this week (Laura Krizov, Kelly Larson, Dace Koenigsknecht and me) talking with a lot of interesting and energetic folks involved in their new Main Street Program. Manistee has recently brought on their first Main Street Manager a bright, articulate and equally energetic guy by the name of, Travis Alden.

Our purpose in spending two long (and very cold) days in Manistee was to help them and their brand new Manager, really hit the ground running. This was my first real participation in getting a new Main Street Program going and it was thrilling to be a part of – watching the enthusiasm in the room mix with a bit of hesitation as the reality of the program’s scope unfolds. Seeing their heads nod and the confidence in their step when they left the room, knowing that they really can do this because they really do believe in their downtown, and their downtown is worth it. I feel quite honored to be a part of their induction into Main Street. I believe the Manistee Main Street/DDA program is going to do great things for a downtown that already has such a rich history, stunning structures, gorgeous natural resources and priceless human resources.

So, back to Travis and why I think the State of Michigan would smile. The really cool thing about Travis is that while he was born and raised in Niles, Michigan, he has been living in Iowa and moved BACK to Michigan to take this Main Street job. BACK to Michigan! Imagine that. OK to be honest here, he seems to be a “downtown geek” like the rest of us and how can you not fall pretty hard for Manistee’s downtown, and that river, and those beaches!! But keep in mind he has not seen this city in flip-flops yet. He has only been there a couple weeks and for sure Manistee has been wearing her winter whites. And after two days of back-to-back meetings with barely a moment for a cup of coffee, Travis never flinched. He’s ready for this and we are all fortunate for that.

OK – so it is not a whole micro-enterprise with 250 great paying positions bursting into the State. But it is one, very strong position that will help secure Manistee’s foothold and push it forward. The Michigan Main Street program has been gathering amazing statistics for the last several years and the numbers are astounding. A healthy, active Main Street program in Michigan can expect across the board increases in business retention/attraction, redevelopment, business expansion, and staggering increase in volunteers who absolutely LOVE their downtowns and don’t hesitate to invest their time into making it even better.

So – my congratulations to Manistee for taking this calculated leap to become a Michigan Main Street. And thank you for helping to bring one of our “best and brightest” back to Michigan. What a coup for Manistee! What a coup for the Michigan Main Street Program! And, really, what a coup for the State of Michigan to get back talent, experience, education and enthusiasm – we all should be smiling on this one. (Now can you see it?)