Travis Brown
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Institutional Knowledge = Community Power
Main Street organizations are built on passion, partnerships, and people. But they’re also built on something quieter and just as powerful: institutional knowledge. It’s the drag path of past projects. The record of reinvestment. The notes about which property owner prefers a phone call over email. The work plans that shaped last year’s downtown event.…
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Understanding Downtown Terminology: Common Terms, Explained Simply
Whether you’re new to downtown development or a seasoned Main Street pro, you’ve probably heard terms tossed around like “rent per square foot” or “activation strategies” and nodded along, secretly wondering what exactly they mean. We get it—and we’re here to help. Downtown revitalization comes with its own lingo. Knowing the right terms can make…
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Plan Smarter, Not Harder: How Work Plans in Maestro Make Next Year a Breeze
Plan Smarter, Not Harder: How Work Plans in Maestro Make Next Year a Breeze As Main Street coordinators, local leaders, and small business champions, you’re juggling a million priorities—often with limited time and resources. But what if next year didn’t have to feel like starting from scratch? Enter: Work Plans in Maestro—your not-so-secret weapon for…
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Spotlight: Kayla Tuley
Rooted in community, guided by color-coded tabs. If you spend any time with Kayla Tuley, one thing becomes clear: she’s all about creating connection. Whether she’s organizing information or soaking in the energy of a downtown district, Kayla brings a steady calm and a deep appreciation for what makes a place feel like home. What…
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Why Your Organization’s Data is a Superpower
Why Your Organization’s Data is a Superpower (And How to Keep It Strong) Data isn’t just for big corporations or tech giants—it’s for every Main Street program, every small town, and every community-led organization. In fact, when it’s properly collected, maintained, and used, your data becomes one of your strongest tools for storytelling, stewardship, and…
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Where to Find the Data That Moves Your Downtown Forward
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Where to Find the Data That Moves Your Downtown Forward [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]If you’re part of a Coordinating Program or lead a local Main Street effort, you already know that strong decisions start with solid data. But where exactly do you find the information that can shape your strategies, prove your impact, and…
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Spotlight: Emilie White
Supporting communities with structure, warmth, and a deep love for Main Street kindness. Meet Emilie White—detail-oriented, communication-driven, and a true champion of community collaboration. Emilie is one of those people who just gets the big picture. She brings a natural sense of structure and clarity to everything she touches, and she loves it when tools…
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Engaging Volunteers Downtown
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Engaging Volunteers Downtown [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]Revitalizing a downtown takes passion, creativity, and people power. Volunteers are the backbone of these efforts, bringing energy to events, beautification projects, and business initiatives. But how do you engage and retain volunteers to keep your downtown thriving? Here are some key strategies. 1. Make Volunteering Meaningful People…
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Spotlight: Ben Uzelac
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Spotlight: Ben Uzelac [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]Ben Uzelac is our Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and the one tasked with bringing all of our designs to life. He isn’t a typical developer, he does both front-end and back-end (the stuff we see and the code that makes it work, for us novices), and he writes…
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Downtown Design Guidelines
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Downtown Design Guidelines [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Having strong design guidelines should be a part of your organization’s historic preservation efforts. As a Main Street organization, Design plays a critical role for our organization. We are often home to the most important buildings in our community, and need to ensure that those properties are preserved properly. Design…