The Main Thing
In 2011 the Town of Mancos created a comprehensive plan after a years-long community engagement process. Community contexts including areas of culture, infrastructure, housing, environmental protection, economic development and future development were addressed. One of the goals adopted at that time was to explore the possibility of Mancos becoming a designated Main Street community.
In 2023, the Mancos Planning and Zoning Commission and the Mancos Board of Trustees undertook a process to revisit the original plan to remove old data and information, as well as revisiting the goals. Once again, the Main Street designation was an adopt goal for the Town. The newly revised plan, along with other community and economic development plans, can be reviewed by the clinking this link or by visiting the Plans and Incentives on the Community and Economic Development department on our website.
In 2024 the Town was successful in securing the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to begin the Main Street engagement process. Mancos will be the first municipality in the state to utilize REDI for this purpose. Through a competitive bid process, the Town is now working with Ayers Associates to begin the work with the community.
How to Engage
The most important part of a community plan is the community! In order to create a sustainable effort and vision for our downtown and the surrounding businesses in Mancos, engagement is essential. The Town of Mancos is working with our local partners and Ayers to introduce the Main Street program and its long-term benefits to the community beginning in April 2025. These listening session are the just the beginning of our journey as a community. Please join to develop a vision for the economic vibrancy and community resilience in Mancos!
- Tuesday April 8th: 5:30-7:30 at Fenceline Cider Ayers will give a brief overview of the project at the Mancos Valley Chamber Annual meeting and be available to chat afterwards.
- Wednesday, April 9th 11:00 - 1:00 at Hand in Hand Bookstore Lunchtime apps and bevs! Meet the Ayres team to learn, and ask questions, about the Main Street Program.
- Wednesday, April 9th 6:00-7:00 at the Mancos Town Hall Ayers will be at the Mancos Town Trustee workshop. Town
workshops are always open to the public.
For more information contact Jason Armstrong, Community and Economic Developemnt Director at the Town of Mancos
What is the Main Street Program?
Colorado Main Street is sponsored by the State of Colorado and is part of the National Main Street Center® (NMSC) network. The NMSC was founded in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to promote the revitalization of historic downtowns through its comprehensive framework for revitalizing historic downtowns and commercial districts. The innovative four-point approach includes:
- Economic Vitality – Supporting businesses and promoting new investment.
- Design – Enhance the visual appeal through historic preservation and adaptive reuse.
- Promotion – Marketing the district as a destination through events and branding.
- Organization – Building partnerships to create a sustainable long-term community effort.
Main Street is designed to advocate and support local empowerment, and the rebuilding of central business districts based on the traditional assets of each community’s unique architecture, character, and local ownership.
The Colorado Main Street Program has three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a strong network of linked communities, and a committed Main Street staff who manage the program.
What is the Main Street Approach?
Community revitalization can be complicated. That’s why Main Street America™ created an intuitive approach to four key focus areas. They are:
The Colorado Main Street Program has three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a strong network of linked communities, and a committed Main Street staff who manage the program.
What is the Main Street Approach?
Community revitalization can be complicated. That’s why Main Street America™ created an intuitive approach to four key focus areas. They are:
- ORGANIZATION involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program. A governing board and volunteers or specific project committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer driven program.
- PROMOTION sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. By marketing a district’s unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, media, retail promotions, special events and marketing campaigns.
- DESIGN means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — is just part of the story. Aninviting atmosphere, well-managed parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, lights and landscaping conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district.
- ECONOMIC VITALITY strengthens a community’s existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners, helps to foster entrepreneurial start-ups and expansions, and recruits compatible new businesses and economic uses.
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