The Ashland Main Street Program, Inc. PO Box 504 Ashland, KY 41105 606-325-7692 |
Ashland Main Street is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that represents the downtown community with retail promotions, street events, business seminars, and consulting assistance for independent business owners. Members receive discounted rates on advertising through our bi-monthly "Downtowner" insert in the Ashland Daily Independent, and building owners can save up to 50% on our Paint Partnership Program through Porter Paints. Membership is voluntary and costs only $100 per year for an independent business. We operate on membership contributions, grants and assistance from individuals, foundations, local government, and corporations that understand the value of a vital downtown and want Ashland to be the best it can be. |
Ashland Main Street is not a city agency. We are 501 c 3 non-profit organization supported by membership donations. For inquiries about city assistance, please visit the city of Ashland website where you will find answers to most questions, contact numbers, and downloadable forms for business. Ashland Main Street does not offer grant assistance to new businesses. |
Ashland Main Street works to revitalize downtown Ashland into a dynamic center where people want to live, work, shop and visit. The Main Street program's success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work tailored to local needs in four broad areas, called the Main Street Four Point Approach: Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning. Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process of the downtown area. Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors. Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities -- and challenges from outlying development. Why Are Main Streets Important? Main Street is a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride, and community history. These are all factors in industrial, commercial and professional recruitment. A vital Main Street retains and creates jobs, which also means a stronger tax base. Main Street is also a good incubator for new small businesses -- the building blocks of a healthy economy. A vital Main Street area reduces sprawl by concentrating retail in one area and uses community resources wisely, such as infrastructure, tax dollars and land. A healthy Main Street core protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods. |
Downtown Ashland Gift Certificates are the perfect solution for employee recognition and gift giving for family, friends, and visitors! |
The Ashland Main Street Program, Inc. PO Box 504 Ashland, KY 41105 606-325-7692 |
Ashland Skyline Print. Only $35 donation to Ashland Main Street. |
The Ashland Main Street Program, Inc. |
RESIDENTIAL ASHLAND MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN SURVEY Do You Work Downtown? Work Downtown No 80% Work Downtown Yes 18% No answer 2% Do You Live Downtown? Live Downtown No 84% Live Downtown Yes 8% No answer 8% Are You a Student Downtown? Student Downtown Yes 17% Would You Consider Living Downtown? Consider Living D'town No 60% Consider Living D'town Yes 29% No answer 11% If You Would Consider Living Downtown would you rent or buy your home/apartment? No answer 47% Buy 35% Rent 18% Would you prefer "market rate" housing or "subsidized" housing? Housing Market Value 45% No answer 43% Housing Subsidized 11% Would you consider living in a rehabilitated historic building? Live Historic Yes 45% Live Historic No 33% No answer 22% Approximately how often do you visit the downtown area? How often visit d'town Daily 23% How often visit d'town 2-3 times each week 23% How often visit d'town Don't visit downtown 14% How often visit d'town Once a week 13% How often visit d'town Less frequently 10% How often visit d'town 2-3 times each month 7% How often visit d'town Once a month 7% No answer 3% What would help you come downtown more often? Check all that apply Incentive to visit d'town RESTAURANT 72% Incentive to visit d'town CLOTHING STORE 60% Incentive to visit d'town SPECIALITY 50% Incentive to visit d'town OFF-PRICE STORE 49% Incentive to visit d'town MORE PARKING 38% Incentive to visit d'town LUXURY 32% Incentive to visit d'town GROCERY 29% Incentive to visit d'town ANTIQUES 27% Incentive to visit d'town MUSIC/ENT STORE 17% Incentive to visit d'town NIGHTCLUB 16% Incentive to visit d'town PHARMACY 13% Incentive to visit d'town OTHER (outlet stores number one write-in) When you go shopping, what time of day do you usually visit the stores? Visit Evening 53% Visit Afternoon 52% Visit Morning 36% Would you visit downtown more often if the stores were open after 5:00pm? Stores After 5pm YES 63% Stores After 5pm NO 30% No answer 7% What days would you like to see the stores stay open later? (check all that apply) Later Hours on FRIDAY 50% Later Hours on SATURDAY 39% Later Hours on MONDAY 30% Later Hours on THURSDAY 25% Later Hours on SUNDAY 20% Later Hours on TUESDAY 17% Later Hours on WEDNESDAY 16% Do you feel that downtown Ashland is a safe and clean city compared to others? Safe and Clean YES 91% Safe and Clean NO 4% Blank 5% How do you feel about parking in downtown? Enough Parking NO 60% Enough Parking YES 32% Blank 8% When you visit a shopping center do you sometimes drive around looking for a spot and end up parking far away and walking anyway? Park and Walk YES 71% Park and Walk NO 25% Blank 4% Did you know that downtown parking is free on evenings/weekend? Knowledge of Free Parking YES 64% Knowledge of Free Parking NO 33% Blank 3% Did you know that parking is free all day at the riverfront and other city streets within 2 blocks of downown? River Front and Other Parking NO 62% River Front and Other Parking YES 34% Blank 4% Should business owners/employees park all day at spaces for shoppers as long as they "feed the meter"? Employees Feed Meters NOT OKAY 65% Employees Feed Meters Yes 27% Blank 8% Would you park at a designated downtown municipal let if it were convenient, affordable, and safe? Municipal Parking YES 79% Municipal Parking NO 13% Blank 8% How would you rate downtown Ashland compared to other downtowns similar in size? (About the same) 44% (Better) 29% (Worse) 9% (Much better) 9% No answer 6% (Much worse) 2% Do you think Ashland would benefit from a Convention Hotel or Civic Center? Hotel/Civic Center YES 70% Hotel/Civic Center NO 19% No answer 11% Are you male or female? Female 68% Male 30% Blank 3% Age group Age (over 65) 33% Age (25-44) 24% Age (45-54) 21% Age (55-64) 17% Age (18-24) 2% Blank 2% |
See the results of our downtown marketing survey at the bottom of this page |