Oakland County, Michigan/Advantage Oakland/Planning/Main Street Oakland County

Main Street Oakland County

 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Boosting Downtown Development​
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Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) is our unique economic development program for downtowns, with a historic preservation philosophy and an emphasis on "sense of place." We help local government develop their downtowns as vibrant, successful districts that serve as the heart of their communities.

​Established in 2000, MSOC is the nation's first and only county-wide coordinating Main Street program.

Our mission is to maximize the economic potential and to preserve the heritage and sense of place of Oakland County's historic downtowns and commercial district​s by encouraging and facilitating the use of the Main Street Four- Point Approach® that emphasizes comprehensive economic development within the context of historic preservation.

 Data is in for 2021

​The following data summarizes the economic impact, activity and investment in Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) Select Level communities in 2021. MSOC compiles the data annually and reports it to the National Main Street Center.

See Stat Sheet for all the 2021 and Cumulative data—and here are some highlights:

$53,212,562

New Annual Public and Private Investment:

$37,858,826 - Public
$15,353,736 - Private
Streets, streetscape, pedestrian amenities, sewer, parking, signage, lighting, grants, events, marketing and program management
Buildings, building rehabs,façades, parking, site and interior business improvements
trees and buildings
10,231 Volunteer Hours Invested in organization, promotion, design and economic development committee projects, tasks, activities and events by committee members, residents, businesses and property owners

339 Special events held in MSOC program communities, including festivals and retail events that draw visitors to the downtowns and support local businesses

$384,008 Cash Sponsorships Donated to MSOC community programs

24 net new full-time jobs created

36 net new businesses established

30 new housing units built

84 buildings rehabilitated

63,165 sq. ft. of new floor space constructed
159 Net new full-time jobs created

70 Net new businesses established
17  New housing units built 
105 Buildings rehabilitated
78,430 sq. ft. New floor space constructed

Since 2001, the cumulative total for new public and private investment in the MSOC downtowns is now:
$1,044,243,193

MSOC 2021 & Cumulative Stat Sheet

 Program Successes

 Organizations & Membership
Awards & Recognition
Participating Communities
Services & Trainings

 General News & Resources

COVID-19 News and Resources

Please let us know if your community or businesses need assistance.

COVID-19  Information Resources from Oakland County and across U.S.

For Restaurant Owners:
Trends, Best Practices and Resources Coming out of the COVID-19 Pandemic

City/Village/Township Restaurant Relief Program
Restaurant, Bar, and Café Owners, can contact their local Municipality, DDA, Management Organizations, or Chamber for more information on this Relief Program

COVID-19 Response: Winter Strategies for Downtowns & Business Districts
The Winter Strategies guide provides communities with ideas to give them a jumpstart on preparing for winter. This guide is an introduction to creative solutions by providing opportunity for dialogue with community stakeholders about the need to embrace winter as a season of prosperity.

Recovery Phase—Reopen Main Street Resources from DPN
The Downtown Professionals Network (Franklin, Tennessee) has compiled potential reopening strategies, ideas, hints and tips for businesses, business districts and organizations as we enter the COVID-19 recovery phase.

Best Practices from Main Street America
Regularly updated compilation of resources and opportunities to help Main Street districts and businesses during this crisis, including Federal guidelines.

Oakland County Health Division Best Practices for Residents & Communities
Guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Oakland County Health Division Tool Kits
Resources for targeted groups, including businesses, first responders, food service workers, and more.

Oakland County Business Relief Resources
Business relief resources including: grants and loans, guidance on essential workforce, and local, state and federal resources.

Back to Brick & Mortar - A Guidebook to Help Independent Retailers Re-Enter Storefronts Safely
A guide, created by &Access founder Bobby Boone, for business owners preparing to reopen their storefronts successfully and safely during COVID-19 health crisis.

30-90-180 Day COVID-19 Plan
Covid-19 planning tips for communities to support businesses during next 30-90-180 days.

COVID-19 Webinar for Farmers Market Managers

House Bill to Amend Michigan Liquor Control Code

Michigan Liquor Control Commission Reopening FAQ's

The Main Street Oakland County Crowdfunding Campaign Surpassed $100,000 Goal to help Small Businesses impacted by COVID-19. Campaign ran on Patronicity platform.


For more information on Main Street Oakland County call (248) 858-5444.         Main Street Logo ​