Registration Open for 2014 National Main Streets Conference in Detroit

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Registration has kicked off for the 2014 National Main Streets Conference, the premier historic preservation and downtown revitalization event in the country, coming to Detroit's GM Renaissance Center from May 18-20.

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The event showcases and celebrates the innovative ideas and practices that make the Main Street Approach® one of the most powerful community development tools in the nation. It brings together leading professionals in preservation-based economic development and community revitalization, appealing to Main Street program directors, architects, planners, economic development professionals, public officials, volunteers and consultants.

There's also a spot for those who aren't familiar with Main Street. Free introductory to Main Street courses are offered, including sessions on the Main Street Four-Point Approach® -- the foundation for local initiatives to revitalize their districts. These sessions will explain how to leverage assets, from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride. They will also cover innovative ideas and practices around the Four Points: organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.

Planners are pleased to bring the annual conference to Detroit, a city that is actively utilizing unique grassroots initiatives to overcome economic challenges. Detroit is the perfect backdrop for the National Main Street Conference as the city offers bold lessons on resilience, innovation and hard work.

"Detroit is making a comeback. Urban farming, pop-up businesses, unique public art and creative partnerships are just a few of the ways Detroit residents are rebuilding their city," says Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center. "The entrepreneurial spirit in Detroit is something the conference is excited to showcase."

Attendees will experience three full days of educational opportunities, dozens of mobile workshops, unforgettable special events, unique venues and networking galore. People from urban neighborhood business districts, small and rural towns, suburban communities, large and midsized cities, will all benefit from ideas, solutions, issue discussion and networking opportunities that only this conference offers.

The 2014 conference is hosted by the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA in conjunction with the National Main Street Center.

"The City of Detroit and Main Street communities across Michigan have been doing some amazing work to revitalize our state's downtowns and neighborhoods and we are excited to share those success stories and challenges," said MSHDA Executive Director Scott Woosley. "We are thrilled to see this work brought to the national stage."

The Michigan Main Street Center is part of MSHDA's effort to create vibrant communities across the state.

"The Michigan Main Street Center provides Michigan communities with the tools needed to develop into thriving districts," said Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at MSHDA. "The Main Street 4-point Approach® can be used to create jobs, attract and retain residents and investment while building a sense of place."

Since its founding more than 10 years ago, the Center has used the Main Street approach to breathe new life into historic downtowns statewide, attracting nearly $100 million in private investment and creating over 1,200 new jobs.

To register, visit preservationnation.org/msconference. Early bird registration rates will be in effect through March 17. Although introductory sessions are free, attendees are still asked to register online.

For conference updates, follow @NatlMainStreet and @MichiganMainSt on Twitter and Facebook.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*

*MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda

National Main Street Center
Established in 1980 as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Main Street Center works with a nationwide network of communities to encourage preservation-based economic revitalization, and has participated in the renewal of more than 2,000 older commercial districts during its 30-year history. As a nonprofit organization, the National Main Street Center Inc., provides information, offers technical assistance, holds conferences and workshops, and conducts research and advocacy on critical revitalization issues utilizing the Main Street Four-Point Approach®.

Contact: Katie Bach
Communications
517.335.4786
[email protected]

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority