Main Street Oakland County partners with bank for program

Main Street Oakland County has partnered with Flagstar Bank to offer a Placemaking and Façade Grant Program available to 13 Oakland County downtowns.

Main Street Oakland County communities can apply for grants of up to $2,500 in dollar-for-dollar match funds for several types of improvements to downtown districts.

“One of the most important parts of downtown development is creating a strong sense of place,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “By preserving and renewing our downtowns, Flagstar Bank is supporting community vitality and pride among the citizens whether they are life-long residents or new to the area.”

Eligible Flagstar projects include preservation of historic resources, installation of public art, public markets or other public space activation, creation or renovation of pop-up retail space, wayfinding signage, placement of historic markers and streetscape enhancements.

The deadline to apply is June 1. Businesses in “Select Level” Main Street communities of Berkley, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Highland, Holly, Lake Orion, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester, and Royal Oak are eligible.

“Flagstar Bank is headquartered in Oakland County and is a major employer in the county—so we take our commitment to our local communities very seriously,” said Andrew Ottaway, Flagstar president of banking. “Vibrant downtowns go hand-in-hand with vibrant communities. This is our second year supporting Main Street Oakland County, and we’re pleased to play a role in making the Main Street downtowns more attractive and inviting destinations for everyone to enjoy.”

Under the terms of each grant, a minimum dollar-for-dollar match must be provided by the applicant. Main Street Oakland County will provide architectural design services at no charge.

For additional information and to find application forms, go to MainStreetOaklandCounty.com, click on the “Services & Trainings” link and go to the “Grants” tab.

Main Street Oakland County currently works in 24 historic downtowns, heritage corridors and mixed-use urban centers in Oakland County. It is the first and only county in the United States to operate a full-service, county-wide Main Street program.

In 2018, public and private investment in Main Street Oakland County downtown projects totaled more than $50 million, resulted in 450 net new jobs, 60 net new businesses, and the construction of more than 138,000 feet of floor space. Main Street communities had 107 buildings rehabilitated, and eight housing units were constructed.

Since its inception, Main Street Oakland County communities have generated more than $837 million of public and private investment, created 8,086 jobs, established 1,163 businesses, constructed 3.5 million square feet of floor space and benefited from more than 426,800 volunteer hours.

Main Street is a trademarked program of the National Main Street Center and is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Main Street communities are: Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland Township, Hazel Park, Highland Township, Holly, Holly Township, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Leonard, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, South Lyon, and Wixom.
 

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