We offer ideas on how to create a vibrant downtown in a small city. Our publications analyze the benefits and difficulties of downtowns on topics ranging from coexisting with Big Box Stores to planning the optimal business mix.
Consumer Market Segments December 2017 — Overall, consumer demand and behavior have changed significantly over the past decade. At the end of 2017, those changes are having a lasting impact on the industry. Deliberate Consumers. These consumers are cautious about spending. They now expect and search for bargains, an expectation that retailers have unhappily fostered […]
December 2015 — The gut reaction most civic leaders have to a loss of business or population is to focus on growth strategies. It may be a better strategy to first focus on resilience rather than growth strategies. Resilience is how we maintain vitality in the face of adversity such as population decline, loss of […]
September 2015 — Various words are commonly used to describe successful downtown revitalization efforts. Three words that are often used, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, are: Vitality – the capacity to live and develop Vibrancy – having or showing great life, activity, and energy Resiliency – the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful […]
(Image Source: Caique Morais / Unsplash) June 2015 — The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality recently studied the retail market of 13 Greater Minnesota cities where a Walmart Supercenter opened between 2000 and 2008. Their research explores which types of retail and consumer services businesses have coexisted with the retail giant, as identified […]
March 2015 — Do downtown storefront improvement projects provide an adequate return to the property owners, outside investors, or public funding entities? If so, what are the returns in both economic and other terms? This article summarizes findings from 24 case studies of storefront improvement projects in Wisconsin over the past 15 years. While not […]
October 2013 — Embracing the internet can help downtown businesses grow and compete. This article summarizes the responses to a survey concerning access to and use of broadband in downtown districts. The sample consists of the 35 responses received from downtown development and Main Street professionals in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio. This was not a […]
August 2013 — Downtown districts in Wisconsin’s small cities and villages have significantly different demographic and economic characteristics from those in larger cities. These differences can help us understand their particular issues and opportunities for downtown revitalization. This article profiles small town downtowns from the perspective of who lives downtown, who works there, and what […]
September 2010 — A growing body of evidence suggests that the businesses most beneficial to a community are those that are independent and locally owned. This article provides an introduction to the potential economic, social, and environmental benefits provided by local business. Economics Perhaps the most compelling reason to buy local and independent is economics. […]
Summary of a presentation by Carol Gies* January 2010 — As a result of the economy and changes in the retail market, it is important that downtown tenant recruitment efforts recognize changes in consumers and competition. A generic retail recruitment formula does not work downtown. Carol Gies of 4Insights, Inc. shared her perspectives on this […]
