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. This is to be done through concentrated efforts in Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.
-Mission Statement 20

What is Main Street Inc.?
         Downtown life in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin continues to be a center for its citizens and visitors. This is in large part due to the efforts of Chippewa Falls Main Street Inc. Main Street Inc. is a private, non-profit educational type of organization that aims to revitalize downtown Chippewa Falls. For almost thirteen years Main Street Inc. has been working to make the downtown as successful as possible through something called the main street four-point approach.21

Beginnings of Main Street Inc.
         The main street four-point approach was created by the national trust for historic preservation. Sometime after the end of World War II downtown economies across the nation experienced a sort of downturn. More people could afford automobiles and people were able to buy their goods or get their services in other places outside of downtown. Following around the 1970’s came the program of urban renewal. This program was funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They gave large amounts of money to communities to tear down blocks of their downtowns, which they hoped would get people to move in and build new developments. For historic preservation standards the national trust for historic preservation thought this was the wrong way to go in terms of revitalization. Instead they worked on pilot programs in several communities around the nation and formulated the four-point approach.

What is the Four-Point Approach?
         The main street four-point approach includes organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. Organization deals with getting people to work together for a common purpose, the revitalization of downtown Chippewa Falls. This includes fundraising for the works of the organization and also recruiting volunteers to help in the organizations efforts. Volunteers are very important to Main Street Inc. Without them the organization may not get to do the many things they want to. Promotion focuses on different aspects of promotion including special events, retailers, and marketing. On the whole it focuses on getting people to come together in downtown and have a good time. Attending special events, frequenting businesses, and enjoying the overall image of downtown. Design deals primarily with the restoration of businesses in downtown. They encourage business owners to take advantage of the organizations low interest loans and specialists to improve their buildings. While this deals a lot with the buildings it also includes the rest of the downtown area. This includes hanging flower baskets and a recently opened bike trail. Finally, economic restructuring is basically economic development. Recruiting new businesses, helping local businesses to expand into new product lines and new areas, and finally just trying to help businesses be successful. Focusing on all four points allows the organization to focus on the needs the community has of its downtown.

What Has Main Street Inc. Done?
         Through its efforts Chippewa Falls Main Street Inc. has helped revitalize its downtown and in turn its community. Since its establishment in 1989 it has seen 26 business facades renovated.22 This renovation is done in terms of the buildings original appearance. While there are no restrictions on how the buildings are renovated specifically, they do ask that it fit with how the building appeared when it was originally constructed. The organization has also provided a variety of activities around downtown for citizens and visitors to partake in. One example is Christmas time in Chippewa Falls. For at least the last ten years the organization has put on the Bridge to Wonderland Parade through downtown centering on main street, Bridge Street (picture of parade coming). Main Street Inc. even creates Santa’s workshop at the historic Rutledge House located on Bridge. From June to October each year there is the farmer’s market with a variety of goods. The list could go on and on. Through all of its events and aid in economic restructuring it is clear to see that Main Street Inc. has had a positive affect on Chippewa Falls downtown community and the larger community on a whole. Main Street Chippewa Falls today is showcased beautifully and is a treat for all who visit.