Building Local Capacity for Economic Development MSNJ Assistance to Local Main Streets related to Economic Restructuring: •Subscription to National Online Business Recruitment Database •“Business Enhancement Day”- onsite assessment & training specific to district •Market Analysis •Staff & Volunteer Training through MSNJ’s “Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute” on: • Understanding a Pro-Forma • Market Analysis & Survey Tools • Creating Recruitment Materials • Crime Prevention/Perception • Developing Relationships with Property Owners & Realtors
Above all, local Main Street programs exist to support and grow the local economy of their downtown district. Local Main Street staff, volunteers, and business owners utilize the training and tools offered by Main Street New Jersey to develop projects for their local business district and the small businesses that form the backbone of our downtowns. Main Street Economic Restructuring Committees are frequently comprised of real estate professionals, bankers, business owners, and others volunteering their time and professional expertise working to ensure a sustainable downtown economy. “Newton’s status as a Main Street community played a pivotal role in the community’s strategy to recruit Thorlabs, an industry leader in photonics/laser optics, to locate its new worldwide headquarters in downtown Newton. The revitalization of the Newton downtown business district will help Thorlabs in its efforts to recruit employees ranging from customer service technicians to machinists to PhD. Research scientists. The retail/commercial revitalization concepts brought by the Main Street program coupled with the Town and County’s innovative Mt. Holly financing packages make this project a model of smart growth and economic development for the entire State.” John Eskilson Sussex County Administrator Vice Chairman – NJ State Planning Commission 12