Mission Statement

The purpose of the Chippewa Falls Main Street program is to improve the community's quality of life by strengthening the Downtown as the center of the community through concentrated efforts in Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring.

Who we are

Chippewa Falls Main Street is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit corporation that was accepted into the Wisconsin Main Street Program in 1989. We are governed by a 13 member volunteer Board of Directors, operate with the Main Street staff and hundreds of dedicated and talented volunteers. Our innovative program has received numerous honors. The Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts.

How it started

The Wisconsin Main Street Program was established in 1987 to encourage and support the revitalization of downtowns in Wisconsin communities. Each year, the Department of Commerce selects communities to restore their Main Streets to centers of community activity and commerce.

How it works

In 1980, the National Trust for Historic Preservation established the National Main Street Center to assist nationwide, downtown revitalization efforts. The Wisconsin Main Street Program is based on the Trust's philosophy, which advocates restoration of the historic character of downtown while pursuing traditional development strategies such as marketing, business recruitment and retention, real estate development, market analysis and public improvements. These elements are part of the Main Street four point approach: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring and Promotion.

Organization involves building a Main Street framework that is well represented by civic groups, merchants, bankers, citizens, public officials and chambers of commerce. Everyone must work together to renew downtown. A strong organization provides the stability to build and maintain a long-term effort.

Design enhances the attractiveness of the business district. Historic building rehabilitations, street and alley clean-ups, colorful banners, landscaping and lighting all improve the physical image of the downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in and live. Design improvements result from reinvestment of private and public dollars into the downtown.

Economic Restructuring involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street's traditional merchants are examples of economic restructuring activities.

Promotion creates excitement downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street encourages consumer traffic in the downtown. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors and visitors.