News Release
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: September 8, 2022
Media Contact:
Sheri Stuart, State Coordinator, Oregon Main Street Network
(503) 551-3705, sheri.stuart@oprd.oregon.gov
Oregon Heritage Releases Impact of Oregon’s Main Streets Report
SALEM, Oregon – The Impact of Oregon’s Main Streets Report shares the story of how the Oregon Main Street Network strengthens community networks, bolsters the economy, generates state and local tax revenue, and fosters social connections across the state. The report includes the economic, fiscal, and community impacts of the key programmatic efforts of Oregon’s Main Streets, including:
- Historic Preservation
- Economic Development and Resiliency
- Tourism and Customer Attraction
- Placemaking and Public Realm Improvements
- Partnerships and Program Operations.
The report quantifies the impact of the Network between 2011 and 2021, leveraging data provided by local program leaders of Main Street programs, state budgetary figures, Reinvestment Statistics, and IMPLAN, an industry-leading impact modeling platform. Findings in the report reflect the impacts of communities participating in the Main Street Track of the Oregon Main Street Network.
The Impact of Oregon’s Main Streets Report highlights the many ways local Main Streets are preserving, sustaining, and enhancing their downtown communities under the leadership of Oregon Main Street. Some of the key findings in the report include:
- Oregon Main Street strengthens community connection and culture. The network recognizes each community’s history, works to preserve local character, and creates inviting gathering places for social interaction.
- Oregon Main Street bolsters the economy. Between 2011 and 2021, the Oregon Main Street network helped generate $266 million in additional sales revenue throughout the state. As a result of this increased spending, 2,400 jobs were supported in or by Main Street businesses.
- Oregon Main Street helps generate tax revenue. Between 2011 and 2021, the State of Oregon invested $1.8 million in Oregon Main Street administration and generated $3.5 million in additional state tax revenues as a result of the on-the-ground work of Oregon’s Main Streets.
“We see the difference our Main Streets are having in building stronger and more resilient communities,” said Sheri Stuart, state coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “This report helps us quantify that impact as well as tell the story of the amazing work local government, volunteers, and staff are having in creating vibrant and vital community centers based on local history and culture.”
This analysis was conducted by Jon Stover & Associates, an Economic Development Consulting firm specializing in place-based economic development. JS&A has worked with local Main Streets, Coordinating Programs across the county, and Main Street America quantifying the impacts and value Main Streets bring to the economy and community.
Jon Stover is one of the keynote speakers at the 2022 Oregon Main Street conference, October 5-7 in Klamath Falls. Information about the conference can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/omsconference.aspx.
Funding for this study was provided by Oregon Cultural Trust; Business Oregon; and Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks & Recreation.
Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. To view a copy of the report or for additional information about the Oregon Main Street Network, visit www.oregonmainstreet.org, or contact Sheri Stuart at sheri.stuart@oprd.oregon.gov.
Questions: Sheri Stuart, (503) 551-3705 or by email at sheri.stuart@oprd.oregon.gov