RDI, in partnership with Oregon, Washington, and Idaho State Main Street coordinating programs, delivers a year-long Main Street Economic Vitality Hub training and technical assistance program. This series aims to bring together a network of Main Street leaders to build fundamental skills for economic recovery and resiliency. A series of workshops, trainings, ongoing coaching, and technical assistance through a centralized “hub” aims to build local leadership, translate theory into practice, move to action, and develop deeper relationships throughout regional economic ecosystems.

RDI began coordinating, facilitating, and delivering economic vitality trainings in 2020. Hub hosts included Chiloquin, Milton-Freewater, La Grande, Coos Bay, Marion County, and Ontario, OR, and Stevenson, WA; the program serves the hub communities along with those in the surrounding region and has been delivered in a hybrid virtual and in-person format.

Main Street communities or those considering the Main Street approach with representatives in the following Main Street/Economic Vitality roles are welcome to participate: staff members; board members; elected officials; economic vitality committee members; and economic vitality champions in your community.

Workshop topics include:

• Economic Vitality 101
• From Numbers to Action
• Business and Property Owner Engagement
• Place-Based Economy Building
• Fostering Innovative Communities
• Energy on Main
• Resource Roundtable for Moving to Action

There is no fee to participate in these workshops, but we do ask that your Main Street organization commits to participating in all workshops, work sessions, and collaborative team work.

Click here to view or download a 2023-2024 program overview.