The town of Mancos has an opportunity to fortify its downtown, and it needs community input to do it.
Mancos is one of 70 aspiring communities in the state with its sights set on becoming what’s called a Main Street Community under Colorado’s Main Street Program.
Zooming out, that program really falls under a nationwide one called Main Street America that’s geared toward supporting “community-led downtown revitalization,” according to the state’s Department of Local Affairs website.
Revitalization under this program preserves historic character while promoting economic growth, which is a major focus of the National Main Street Center, a program affiliate.
Becoming an official Main Street Community is an attractive opportunity since such communities are eligible for things like “technical assistance, training, consulting services and annual mini-grants,” according to the state’s website.
Plus, “scholarships are available to foster continued growth and development,” it said.
So far, there’s 26 official Main Street Communities in Colorado.
Nearest to us, Pagosa Springs recently landed the designation, as did Ouray, Silverton, Ridgway and Montrose.
“This is a really good way for local government to work with the community on a project that has the potential to make a positive, lasting impact on the town,” said Jason Armstrong, the town’s community and economic development director.
Plus, it’s something that’s been in the town’s initiative since 2011.
“I’m not saying Mancos needs to be revitalized, but it could use direction and planning,” he said.
In April, there are three events scheduled to talk more about this opportunity and what it might look like in action.
- Tuesday, April 8, at Fenceline Cidery from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hand in Hand Bookstore (there will be “heavy apps” from The Boathouse)
- Wednesday, April 9, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mancos Town Hall workshop
Ayers Associates, Inc. of Fort Collins – which has done work with the Mancos Opera House in the past – will be at the events, as they’re “leading an investigation to discover if the Main Street Program is a good fit for the Mancos community,” and, ideally, develop a shared vision, according to a flyer advertising the events.
Conversation will center on things like, “What does the community want for the town and its businesses?” and “What does a resilient Mancos look like?” said Armstrong.
In those conversations, the land use code could come up, as could affordable housing and workforce development.
“All the things that fuel economic development and resiliency, really,” Armstrong said. “And if there’s no appetite for this, we’ll know.”
Mancos secured a two-year Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant that’s making this groundwork feasible.
“We’re the first place to use the REDI grant toward something like this. We could be an example for other rural communities, if it’s successful,” said Armstrong.
The upcoming events are just the beginning of the application process to become a Main Street Community.
In fact, it’s the first of four steps in what’s called the “Main Street Approach,” which guides aspiring communities like Mancos in their application process, according to the state program’s website:
- Organization – “Getting everyone working toward the same goal.”
- Promotion- “Marketing a positive image of downtown.”
- Design – “Putting Main Street into top physical shape, from rehabilitating historic buildings to attractive window displays and landscaping.”
- Economic Vitality- “Strengthening a community’s existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.”
Within a year, the goal is to establish a board of directors – ideally made up of business and/or property owners, nonprofits and Mancos residents – as well as hire a 20 hour/week Main Street Manager, and draft a plan.
“We’ll be impacted by development, climate change. This work takes those things into consideration and prepares us,” Armstrong said. “My favorite part is the joint planning piece and community engagement … for them (the community) to understand their power and exercise it.”
