State revitalization program faces cut

MOSES LAKE — In a world of multi-billion dollar budgets, you might think $120,000 wouldn’t get much attention, but there is a $120,000 program of great importance to Moses Lake.

The Washington Main Street Program is important to Moses Lake and 84 participating communities.

Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed eliminating the $120,000 and the program from the state’s 2010 budget. Moses Lake and other participating communities launched a campaign to save them. They’re doing it on Facebook and through the legislative process.

The Main Street Program was started in 1991. It was formed to support efforts by communities to revitalize their downtowns. Since its inception, the program has helped communities create 11,810 jobs at 3,721 new or expanded businesses.

The program does not send funds to the cities. It only makes available technical support of which Main Street communities can take advantage. The only economic assistance is a Main Street tax credit incentive.

For every dollar the state has invested in the program, the communities have put up $96. It is $413 million in private investment that has created those 3,721 jobs. The effort by the state has helped encourage that investment.

“We had 10 new businesses open in Moses Lake’s downtown core, LakeTown Landing, in 2009,” said Moses Lake Business Association Executive Director Marianne Bondi.

Timothy Bishop, Bondi’s counterpart in Ellensburg, sees the elimination of the budget and program as somewhat ludicrous. It is one state program that has paid big dividends on investment.

“The Main Street Program has a track record of creating one new business for every $370 invested,” Bishop said.

There are 85 communities in the Main Street Program at different levels. Some started their revitalization efforts before Main Street was formed, and Main Street was formed to support those on-going efforts.

The Moses Lake Business Association was formed 25 years ago. According to Bondi, it has accomplished a lot downtown. In addition to numerous new businesses, there are flower pots on the sidewalks, eight informational kiosks and a wireless internet system.

“If you’re anywhere within LakeTown Landing with your laptop and need to go online, you just hook up,” Bondi said.

According to Bishop, the Main Street Program’s goal is technical capacity building. He said it offers board and committee training, program assessments, assistance with work plan development and technical assistance on key strategic issues.

Bondi noted this won’t be the first time the Main Street Program takes a hit if Gregoire is successful. The budget was cut by nearly 70 percent, and staffing levels were cut by 60 percent in 2009. That left only one staff person and $120,000 to serve 85 communities.

Main Street communities have garnered support for their fight at the legislative level. Rep. Dean Takko of the 19th district has introduced a bill in the House to save the budget and program. Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, is a co-sponsor. Sen. Derek Kilmer from the 26th district was set to introduce a companion bill in his chamber by the end of this week.

Community and downtown leaders from across the state are making their own effort. They have created the Facebook page “Supporting Main Street in Washington State.” They keep supporters informed and share success stories.

“In just one week over 500 supporters have signed on,” Bondi said.