Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) is an economic development program specifically targeted to provide technical assistance to the 30 traditional downtowns in the County.
These historic commercial districts each have a unique sense of place which, as a part of a national trend, are becoming increasingly popular as places to do business, shop, dine, live and experience family activities.
Under the leadership of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and with the unanimous support of the County Board of Commissioners, Oakland County Planning Group established the first County-level Main Street program in the U.S. in February 2000.
MSOC is housed within the Planning Group of the Planning & Economic Development Services Division of Oakland County's Department of Community & Economic Development. Oakland County is now a partner with the National Trust's Main Street Center and contracts with them for services to the County and local communities.
What we do...
Empower Oakland County's traditional downtowns to establish and/or maintain successful, comprehensive, ongoing revitalization programs
Build a greater awareness of the economic and quality of life importance of revitalizing and maintaining the County's historic commercial districts
Provide the stakeholders of Oakland County's traditional downtowns with technical assistance and training resources
Provide information about downtown revitalization to the County's communities, business organizations, and residents
Assist communities in implementing the "Main Street Four Point Approach" to downtown management in each of the County's traditional downtowns and corridors
Facilitate networking and communication between communities about downtown revitalization
Provide information about County business finance programs and other economic development resources to existing downtown businesses and to those considering downtown locations
Monitor and measure progress and success in local downtown revitalization efforts
Assist each of the 30 traditional downtowns and town centers in the County to help them realize their full economic development potential while preserving their sense of place.
