Ortonville- The question was, is the Main Street program meeting expectations after its first year?
The answer was yes, times ten.
Representatives from Main Street Oakland County and the National Trust’s Main Street Center evaluated Ortonville’s 2005 Main Street progress during a day-long visit Feb. 7.
The ten criterion used to rate the economic development program were: broad-based community support; vision and mission statement; comprehensive work plan; historic preservation ethic; active board and committees; adequate operating budget; paid professional Downtown Development Authority Main Street program director; program of ongoing training; reporting of key statistics; and Main Street network membership. No grade was given, just a simple yes or no as to whether the program was meeting standards set by MSOC and NTMSC.
‘They said yes to all 10 for us, so we are certified, which is really exciting,? said Main Street Manager Julie Courtney.
Ortonville is one of three Main Street programs to be certified in the state out of 12 communities. The others are Rochester, which has had its program for five years, and Oxford, which, along with Ortonville, was named a Main Street community in 2004.
Besides being a barometer of progress, certification means recognition for a community’s program at the Main Street national conference and on the organization’s website.
‘They (MSOC and NTMSC) were very impressed by how well-run our committees are,? Courtney says. ‘They were impressed by the level of participation and the progress we have made in such a short time.?
The four committees? organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring? have made strides on several projects. A community photo survey is underway and a building inventory, market analysis and brochure are almost complete.

As a Main Street community, Ortonville receives assistance from experts such as architects, planners, retailers, former downtown managers, county staff, national trust staff and more. They assist the village in a variety of ways including helping the community receive grant money.
The committees are continuing to work on a vision statement (how they plan to achieve goals) and on their operating budget. Courtney says Ortonville has a budget that is small in comparison to other communities, because of a smaller tax base.
‘It will be difficult to maintain a budget and add to it so we can get other projects started and completed,? she said. ‘We’ve established a sponsorship program to actively engage the community and show them the projects we’re working on and events we are planning.?
For more information on sponsorship or becoming a Main Street volunteer, call Courtney at (248) 627-8070.