Laramie is one of three communities chosen by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings to participate in research to assess the impact of local entrepreneurship programs on economic, physical, social and civic outcomes. Along with Wheeling, West Virginia and Emporia, Kansas, Laramie will be the site of a year-long project with the Brookings Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking and National Main Street Center (NMSC) to assess the impact of place-based entrepreneurship development programs.
Small towns and rural communities have long engaged in place-based strategies to reinvigorate their local economies, build community assets, and drive inclusive growth. And although these communities have witnessed real success in bringing new businesses, amenities, and opportunities to their residents, few efforts have been made to comprehensively assess, document, and disseminate the impact of these strategies for others in the field. The Transformative Placemaking Case Studies will help fill this gap by evaluating the impact of place-based entrepreneurship strategies on key outcomes, highlighting several successful examples, and presenting replicable practices and lessons learned for the field.
“We are honored that our work is being recognized at a national level and are eager to share what is working in Laramie with other rural communities”, shared Trey Sherwood, Executive Director of Laramie Main Street.
“We are honored that our work is being recognized at a national level and are eager to share what is working in Laramie with other rural communities.”
In partnership with local stakeholders in the three select communities, the Bass Center and NMSC will conduct on-the-ground research to assess the impact of their entrepreneurship development program on economic, physical, social, and civic outcomes. The project will involve:
• Interviews, focus groups, and surveys with stakeholders and residents in each community;
• Observations of relevant programming and public spaces in each community;
• Quantitative analysis of indicators related to economic, physical, social, and civic outcomes;
• The development and dissemination of a brief capturing lessons learned and promising practices for the field.
Beginning in January 2020, the Bass Center and NMSC’s experienced, multidisciplinary team will lead the implementation and dissemination of the research, and will produce actionable, policy-relevant findings for regional leaders, community and economic development practitioners, and other stakeholders.
Sherwood states, “This study gives us the opportunity to reflect back on 15 years of work revitalizing Downtown Laramie. With a holistic approach to partnership development, community engagement, business services, events, and beautification, we have had a positive impact on Laramie’s overall economy. In the last ten years alone, we’ve documented 296 renovation projects downtown valued at $11,609,587. Five new construction projects valued at $3 million. 38 public improvements valued at $4.5 million. 104 net new businesses and 509 net new jobs. Volunteers have contributed 42,181 hours valued at $920,500 for a total reinvestment of $20,361,283. Since 2009, for every one dollar spent by Laramie Main Street, another $15.24 is invested in the district”.
“At the end of the day, our success would not be possible without the strong partnership we have with the City of Laramie, the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Main Street, the University of Wyoming and the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance. These stakeholders will be an important part of the case study”, shares Sherwood.
The Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking inspires public, private, and civic sector leaders to make transformative place investments that generate widespread social and economic benefits. The National Main Street Center leads a movement to strengthen communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. The two organizations are partnering to leverage their unique, multidisciplinary expertise to bring inclusive growth and prosperity to more people in more places.
Laramie Main Street Alliance strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality. It’s strategy for revitalization is based on developing downtown as home for entrepreneurs with a focus on authentic consumer experiences and creative Third Spaces.
LMSA is a part of the State of Wyoming's Wyoming Main Street program under the Wyoming Business Council. Guided by the principles of the National Main Street Program, the organization meets its goals by following the Main Street four-point approach, which includes design, organization, economic restructuring and promotion.
LMSA receives funding from the City of Laramie under a fee-for-service contract and, as a 501(c) 3, accepts tax-deductible donations and sponsorships from businesses and individuals to cover operational expenses.
Learn more at www.laramiemainstreet.org or follow along on Facebook at “Downtown Laramie Wyoming”.