Grassroots efforts to save the Washington State Main Street Program are generating bipartisan support among legislators during the 2010 legislative session. House Bill 2704, co-sponsored by Representative Dean Takko (D) from the 19th district, and Representative Bill Hinkle (R) from the 13th district, passed out of the House with overwhelming support by a vote of 91 to 7, and is now headed to the Senate.
Representative Takko introduced House Bill 2704, on the opening day of the legislative session. Representative Dave Quall, (D) from the 40th District, a co-sponsor of the Main Street bill in the House is also enthusiastic about the program. In a January 21 interview with the Skagit Valley Herald, Representative Quall noted, “In all the cities I’ve been in that have this program, when I reflect on what these towns look like; I’ve seen the good work this program has done.”
Since 1991 the Washington Main Street Program has helped local communities create 11,810 jobs in 3,721 new and expanded businesses, and leveraged private investment of $413 million. Every $1 invested in the program by the State of Washington has leveraged an average of $96 in private investment. Every $370 invested in the Washington Main Street Program by the State has leveraged one new job in a local downtown.
Now that it’s passed the House, HB2704 will still need to be approved by the Senate. Supporters are cautiously optimistic according to Timothy Bishop, the executive director for the Ellensburg Downtown Association, “With more than a quarter of the Senate signed on as sponsors for the Senate Companion Bill, we’re optimistic. Downtown and community members from across the state have done a tremendous job of reaching out to their legislators about the importance of this economic development program, but we also know that time is the enemy in a short sixty day session.”
“In this current economic environment, it is more important than ever that we prioritize public spending and support for programs that have a proven record of attracting private sector support and job creation,” said Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake and the lead Republican on the Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. “The Washington State Main Street Program is a proven program drawing almost $100 in private investment for every $1 spent by the state.”
In an effort to balance the state’s budget in the face of mounting deficits, Governor Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget would eliminate the Washington State Main Street Program (WSMSP), which serves more than 90 organizations representing communities throughout the state. The Main Street program’s budget was already cut by 75 percent as part of the 2009 budgeting process leaving just one staff person and a state general fund budget of about $120,000 to serve all of the communities participating in the state’s Main Street network.
Downtown and community leaders from downtowns and communities around the state have rallied to save the program. The Facebook fan page titled “Supporting Main Street in Washington State” has attracted nearly 800 supporters since it was created in early January. Main Street program advocates from around the state are using the Facebook page to keep up to date on the latest progress of the two Bills and keep supporters engaged as the legislation now moves to the Senate.
Locally, Gig Harbor’s program makes strides with volunteerism
“We initiated our Gig Harbor program in 2008 and have been moving toward full Main Street designation ever since,” said Steven Lynn, president of the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association. “The success of this approach is unquestioned and our community’s investment in time and resources has been tremendous. We have made significant contributions to the Gig Harbor community and are on the verge of true, sustained success. We would be truly hurt by not having the funding of this state resource.”
“We have volunteer committees engaged in plans for a major facelift of Skansie Park, our central gathering area; we have conducted a parking inventory and will soon do a parking survey; and we have conducted a business inventory which is helping us to understand the economic dynamics of our waterfront district. Additionally we have worked with the city to enhance the seasonal streetscape of the waterfront district and have developed and published a user-friendly tourist map of the waterfront,” said Lynn. “This program has allowed us to forge strong relationships with our community and local government, and has energized the community. These efforts multiply every dollar of funding at the state level many times over.”
For more information on the Washington State Main Street Program, contact Mary DesMarais, (253) 514-0071, or Lynn, (253) 853-9463, of the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.
For more information about the Washington Main Street program, including a list of the 90 organizations participating in the program, visit www.downtown.wa.gov.
For more information about the National Trust Main Street Center, visit www.mainstreet.org.
