The document discusses tools and programs called HometownOhio and townology that are aimed at revitalizing Ohio's downtowns. HometownOhio offers a wide range of entrepreneurial and technology-based tools integrated into existing downtown programs, including market analyses, heritage tourism assessments, project management assistance, and funding programs. townology is a system that integrates e-commerce with traditional downtown businesses to generate additional income through advertising fees from online sales, benefiting downtown programs and organizations. The tools provided by HometownOhio and townology emphasize private-sector initiatives, entrepreneurship, and leveraging technology and partnerships to support self-sustaining downtown revitalization efforts.

1. Steubenville – A Visitor’s View Photos Courtesy of Len Walker

7. Ohio’s statewide historic preservation organization, celebrating our 25 th anniversary in 2007 Past Board members – architect of Ohio Statehouse restoration, current Chief Justice of Ohio Supreme Court Involved in first discussions in Ohio concerning downtown revitalization, smart/sustainable growth Programs in preservation, downtown revitalization and heritage tourism, including Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites Administers Ohio’s largest statewide preservation easement program History of “hands-on” preservation and revitalization

8. Anthony Wayne Hotel, Hamilton, Ohio $16.5 million dollar renovation of 7-story hotel building into 48 apartments. Today, this building which was once considered “expendable” houses the Hamilton Welcome Center and the offices of the Hamilton Convention & Visitors Bureau

10. Chillicothe Building stock is aging Rate of deterioration increases with age; impact of lack of maintenance is greater Without an income stream associated with a building, owners cannot justify expense of maintenance Why is this important? Galion Sandusky Delaware A Critical Time for Ohio’s Downtowns Steubenville

11. The Importance of Downtown Downtown is Important for Civic Well-Being Downtown is Important for What It Already Has Downtown Is Important Because it is Unique

12. “ Economic development is an extraordinary competitive undertaking. Lower taxes to the minimum and another town will abate taxes all together. Lend money at a low interest rate and somewhere else will lend it interest free. Provide all of the public infrastructure and another community will throw in a building as well. But utilizing a community’s historic resources is a strategy absolutely exclusive to your community.” - Donovan Rypkema, Place Economics

13. Downtown can project a unique image only if intact Economic Incentives Are Based on Entire Downtown Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit Federal Tax Incentive for Easement Donation Proposed Ohio Rehabilitation Tax Credit Downtown disinvestment = neighborhood disinvestment = increased social costs (higher taxes) Investors require a critical mass of buildings and activity Loss of downtown as an independent economic marketplace Importance of Downtown – Costs of Inaction

14. “ Jack Shrode, construction manager…said the continual work on historic buildings is crucial. He said his company took on the project because of the surrounding buildings in the historic downtown. “Its critical. With the loss…you can’t afford to lose any more.” He said losing enough buildings would drastically change the economic scope of development in the downtown. “If you take that out of the equation, I couldn’t estimate the drop of revenue to the city. If the Carlisle were a stand-alone, even as beautiful as it is, I wouldn’t have done the preservation.”” - Chillicothe Gazette, September 4, 2006

16. Steubenville, Ohio becomes… Anytown, USA

17. “ The World Turned Upside Down”

18. “ Bricks and Mortar” Retail

19. The Greene Let’s Build Downtown in the Middle of a Farm Field Phase One Opened in August 72 acres, $200 million, 85 retailers, 100,000 sq. ft. office space Taxes – Ohio $15 million, $8.1 million locally Dayton Mall is adding outdoor area for total 1.2 million sq. ft. of retail Lifestyle Centers Easton Town Center/Columbus – South Side Works/Pittsburgh – Crocker Park/Cleveland

20. Online Networking and E-Commerce

21. Upstairs Game developed in Japan Players in US, Canada, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Australia Instant Interaction Talks live via headset Downstairs Online Web 2.0 program hosted in Romania Streaming radio from the BBC in London One Summer Night in Small-Town Ohio Broadband telephone

22. The Internet in American Life April 2006 – 73% of Americans online 54% use online info to make large decisions in their lives 80% of teens shop online E-commerce -- $211 billion in 2006 Pew Charitable Trust – 76% use the Internet to obtain news

23. Americans Are Craving Community 84% are a part of online groups or networks 52 million blogs 2 out of every 3 Americans visit social networking sites each month New trend – “social shopping” – customers are craving unique items, and third-party sites are bringing items to consumers

24. E-Commerce and Small Towns “ Small Town Shops Bulk Up on the Web” November 16, 2005 “ To some extent, the Internet’s influence on helping small business was anticipated…. What was not as clear was how the Internet would contribute to so many downtown revivals.” “ Beyond the revenue from online sales…merchants say the biggest benefit of e-commerce is that it enables them to turn over their inventory much more quickly, so owners can add more products and variety to their sales floors.”

25. E-Commerce and Small Towns Manitowoc, Wisconsin “ Cooks Corner” - “Mom and Pop” shop now country’s largest kitchen supply retailer Marquette, Michigan Getz’s Department Store - Now earns half of its revenue by selling outdoors wear online, and store has become a tourist destination Lynchburg, Virginia Beeswax Candle Company – “ The Internet has taken a small family-owned candle business and allowed us to compete on a national level while contributing to the redevelopment of our downtown area in central Virginia.”

26. E-Commerce and Downtowns Kennedy Lawson Smith Former Director, National Main Street Center “ Even a small increase in a downtown merchant’s annual sales can be the make or break for continued operation. Sometimes, $1000 to $5000 can make all the difference in the world between surviving to another year or closing.”

27. presents… Great Ideas for Ohio's Downtowns!

28. Opportunities for Downtowns Preservation North Carolina’s Lesson for Preservation Organizations – Its About Real Estate and Entrepreneurs Downtowns across the country face similar issues – limited public funds, limited private funds, and limited volunteer time Downtowns have certain advantages in the marketplace for customer loyalty – if they choose to use them If they are going to succeed, downtowns are going to have to take the lead in community revitalization by spearheading the creation of a new local social and shopping network

29. For the best chance at success, in addition to efforts in design, promotion and economic development, a downtown would: Analyze position and potential Create income streams for property owners Stress innovation and private-sector entrepreneurship Establish programs that maximize local strengths and assets, and which can grow automatically as owners/merchants become successful Take advantage of unique customer loyalties and build new relationships Use the most effective tools to generate positive public relations and additional revenue streams for merchants Engage and involve the energies of its citizens – and particularly youth

30. Introducing HometownOhio is a comprehensive, non-profit, preservation-based revitalization initiative for Ohio downtowns. HometownOhio offers a wide range of tools to Ohio communities to revitalize downtowns and traditional central city areas. These tools are: Entrepreneurial, flexible and creative Based on current technology and marketing tools Capable of being integrated into Main Street and other existing downtown revitalization programs Integrated into statewide and national opportunity marketing Aimed at helping communities create ongoing funding streams for downtown programming Include on-site project or program management services Many are the first of their kind, anywhere in the country

31. Starting a Downtown Program Downtown Market Position and Potential GIS-Enhanced, Comprehensive Market Analysis Individual/Downtown Building Potential and Feasibility Studies Preservation and Heritage Tourism Assessments Preservation Assessment Heritage Tourism Assessment

32. Starting a Downtown Program Downtown Program Creation and Planning Crafting an Overall Downtown Revitalization Strategy Complete Analysis of Assets – Buildings and People Flexible Management Structures Short and Long-Term Funding Integrated support Inclusion of close-in neighborhood analysis Marketing and public relations strategies

33. Running An Effective Local Program Technology Assistance Low-Cost Communication and Marketing Systems Low-Cost Web Design and Training Reduced-Rate Hardware and Software Project and Program Management Assistance Project Assistance On-Site Program Management Assistance Retail Incubation and Cooperative Models

34. Running An Effective Local Program Program Funding Information on Available Funding Opportunities Funding Partnership Programs Financial Incentives Property Owner Investment Incentives Ongoing Program Funding Townology – America’s Newest Tool for Downtowns

35. townology is America’s very first system for integration of e-commerce and traditional downtown merchant “bricks and mortar” operations townology provides contingency fee advertising for downtown merchants – meaning that costs are incurred only when sales are incurred townology can generate additional income for program operation, facade grants, technical assistance, promotion/advertisement… anything a community chooses townology can also benefit community non-profits, including schools, youth programs, charities, etc. townology allows downtowns and communities to keep local money local, and also to dramatically increase the size of its market

36. Best of all… townology is available to downtown organizations and merchants at very little cost!

37. Benefits of Preservation Ohio Affiliation Access to Networking Programs Priority Technical Assistance Discounts on Conferences, Online Workshops Participation in Gannon Fund Eligibility as Local Partner in Preservation Ohio Preservation Easement Program Ohio Landmark Properties advertising discounts Discounts on new upcoming programming

38. Important Points to Remember Creative and flexible Based on creating and supporting entrepreneurs Private-sector emphasis Set of services, can be used in most downtown programs Some services are free with affiliation or at very low cost We know Main Street!! www.hometownohio.org (presentation and links)

39. Thanks!