About Us :

The Brainerd Main Street Program is a community-based effort to revitalize Brainerd's Central Business District that started in 2007. The program area stretches from the Mississippi River to 11th Street and from Oak to Kingwood Streets. Through it is part the Brainerd Lakes Chamber; it is for members and non-members alike.

The Brainerd Main Street Program is based on the National Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization. The Main Street 4 - Point Approach was developed by the National Main Street Center to save historic commerical architecture. This approach has become a powerful economic development tool that has tailored to local needs and opportunities.

Advisory Committee Business and property owners, community leaders, and local government representatives work together to give oversight and direction to this new and growing program.

Promotion  Creates a positive image of the area through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns with the help of business owners, professionals from advertising and marketing fields, and from interested residents.

Design This group works to create an inviting atmosphere in the program area, through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping. Focus is also given to improving maintenance practices in the commercial district, engancing the physical apperance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, and encouraging appropriate new construction.

Business Improvement Committee A group of volunteers working closely with the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation strives to enhance housing opportunities and actively improve the business mix in the program area through strengthening exisiting businesses and attracting new ones.