CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Main Street/OnTRAC program released the newly completed 5-year strategic plan. Working with Place and Main Advisor, LLC, West Virginia Main Street program staff identified several areas of focus for growth and development.

“By preserving historic downtowns, Main Street and OnTRAC communities are working hard to preserve our culture and our stories,” said program coordinator, Jennifer Brennan. “We look forward to putting the goals into action and helping make West Virginia downtowns a special place to be for small business owners, residents and visitors.”

Through extensive research, analysis and community engagement, the strategic plan focuses on enhancing economic vitality, preserving historical heritage, promoting community engagement and fostering a vibrant atmosphere for local businesses.

The primary goals of the strategic plan are as follows:

• Build Capacity: Build capacity at the state and local program levels to assist communities in their redevelopment efforts
• Tell the Story: Effectively tell the story of West Virginia Main Street and ON TRAC programs
• Strengthen Partnerships: Strengthen existing and create new partnerships to benefit West Virginia communities
• Improve Local Economies: Assist communities in leveraging resources to increase the number of small businesses and improve local economies
• Promote Responsible Redevelopment: Promote the conservation of historic buildings and redevelopment of underused real estate in West Virginia’s downtowns

By 2030, Main Street/OnTRAC envisions a state where our historic downtowns and traditional neighborhood commercial districts are thriving. They combine preservation and innovation to create opportunity for small businesses, attractive places to live, and a robust local economy that benefits all of West Virginia’s residents.