Berthoud Farmers Market

Project (committee) Descriptions (1) Design and Historic Preservation A key project of the Berthoud Main Street Program is working to enhance the visual quality of our downtown by addressing design elements to create an appealing environment. Good design is essential to all aspects of downtown revitalization. Our Main Street design philosophy is rooted in historic preservation and seeks to use those elements of historic quality design that remain in our downtown. Until recently neglect may have taken a toll on the appearance of our downtown affecting its perceived economic potential. Renovated facades, a new streetscape with wider sidewalks, flowers and benches, corner bulb-outs, decorative street lighting, the inclusion of sidewalk art and recent public improvements are all part of our downtown’s long-lasting visual appeal and help create a safer and better pedestrian/customer experience. (2) Promotions Community members are involved in creating events that attract people to downtown Berthoud and help market a positive image based on the qualities of our downtown. The summertime Berthoud Farmers Market is an example of one successful promotion that is now beginning its eighth season. Additional downtown events are in the planning stages for 2011. The Main Street organization is looking to coordinate a promotion and marketing campaign that includes image promotion, a program of special events, retail promotions and on-going public relations. (3) Business Development Strengthening downtown’s existing economic assets and fulfilling its broadest market potential is a goal of the Berthoud Main Street Program’s volunteers. In the twentieth century the retail environment profoundly changed. To become competitive, our downtown must reposition itself and help the community determine what type of stores would succeed in our downtown. By working with the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Program is helping develop strategies to enhance the competitiveness of our existing merchants, recruit new ones, and help convert unused space into new uses. (4) Operations The Berthoud Main Street Program’s operation involves communicating our goals and successes, helping find volunteers who can bring their experience and enthusiasm to our projects, and our operations group works to assist in fund-raising. Those volunteers involved with the operation of our non-profit program, help develop cooperation by building partnerships among downtown stakeholders. The Main Street Program’s approach to downtown revitalization requires the effort of the entire community. The merchants, property owners, local government officials, and civic leaders must agree to support common goals for revitalization and join together in a partnership. Our Main Street Program is structured as a nonprofits organization guided by an active working volunteer Board of Directors.