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

Main Street Oakland County

​Main Street America and GoDaddy are teaming up to provide digital empowerment to business owners around the U.S.

Through Empower by GoDaddy, Main Street America wants to equip small businesses with training, tools, and peer networks in order to help them establish and grow an effective digital presence.

The no-cost digital commerce courses include training on: 

  • Creating your digital brand 
  • Designing a great website 
  • Creating content 
  • Search engine optimization (SEO) 
  • Email marketing 
  • Creating an e-commerce presence 
  • Mastering social media 
  • Building sales and customer service experiences 

Through the Empower platform by GoDaddy, small business have access to business coaching and mentorships, blogs, discounts on e-commerce related products and other learning resources. Main Street Oakland County managers are encouraged to share this flyer with their small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs—it has instructions on how the businesses can participate in the GoDaddy Digital Empowerment Program.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Boosting Downtown Development​

Main Street Oakland County Logo

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 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 2020

​The following data summarizes the economic impact, activity and investment in Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) Select Level communities in 2020. MSOC compiles the data annually and reports it to the National Main Street Center.

See Stat Sheet for all the 2020 and Cumulative data—and here are some highlights:

$35,910,448
in new public and private investment in the MSOC downtowns based upon the following two categories:
$27,303,630
$8,606,818
in public improvement dollars invested (streets, sidewalks, trees, sewer, water, parking, and lighting) in addition to DDA and Non-Profit Main Street funded projects
of private sector investment within the DDA and Non-Profit Main Street districts for new building, building rehabs and business improvements
trees and buildings
16,308 volunteer hours invested in the organizational, promotions,design and economic restructuring (business development, recruitment and retention) committee work plan projects, tasks and activities by community residents, businesses and property owners

128 special events held, including festivals and retail events

$145,273 in cash sponsorship received by the MSOC downtowns

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
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

Since 2001, the cumulative total for new public and private investment in the MSOC downtowns is now:
$837,343,540

MSOC 2020 & Cumulative Stat Sheet

 Program Successes

 Organizations & Membership
Awards & Recognition
Participating Communities
Services & Trainings

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.


General News & Resources



Update on Historic Preservation State of Michigan Tax Credit - February 1, 2021



NEWS RELEASE May 7, 2020 - Flagstar Bank Grant To Main Street Oakland County And Downtown Pontiac Creates ‘Pontiac Restaurant Brigade’ And Gives Life To Businesses And Free Meals To Hospital Workers

NEWS RELEASE May 4, 2020 - Genisys Credit Union and Main Street Oakland County Award “Spirit of Main Street” Micro Business Grants

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