2011 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 560. Department of commerce.
560.081 State main street program.

560.081

560.081 State main street program.

560.081(1)

(1) In this section:

560.081(1)(a)

(a) "Business area" means a commercial area existing at the time services under the state main street program are requested and having historic significance.

560.081(1)(b)

(b) "Municipality" means a city, village or town.

560.081(1)(c)

(c) "Revitalization" means the process of engaging in activities to increase economic activity, while preserving and building upon a location's historically significant characteristics.

560.081(2)

(2) The department shall establish and administer a state main street program to coordinate state and local participation in programs offered by the national main street center, created by the national trust for historic preservation, to assist municipalities in planning, managing and implementing programs for the revitalization of business areas. The department shall do all of the following:

560.081(2)(a)

(a) Enter into contracts to obtain business area revitalization services provided by the national main street center.

560.081(2)(b)

(b) Employ, in the state classified service, staff for the state main street program.

560.081(2)(c)

(c) With help from the council on main street programs and from interested individuals and organizations, develop a plan describing the objectives of the state main street program and the methods by which the department shall:

560.081(2)(c)1.

1. Coordinate the activities of that program with private and public sector revitalization of business areas.

560.081(2)(c)2.

2. Solicit and use private sector funding for revitalization of business areas.

560.081(2)(c)3.

3. Help municipalities engage in revitalization of business areas.

560.081(2)(d)

(d) Coordinate with other state and local public and private entities which provide services to municipalities undertaking projects for the revitalization of business areas.

560.081(2)(e)

(e) Annually select, upon application, up to 5 municipalities to participate in the state main street program. The program for each municipality shall conclude after 3 years, except that the program for each municipality selected after July 29, 1995, shall conclude after 5 years. The department shall select program participants representing various geographical regions and populations. A municipality may apply to participate, and the department may select a municipality for participation, more than one time. In selecting a municipality, however, the department may give priority to those municipalities that have not previously participated.

560.081(2)(f)

(f) For use in selecting the participants in the state main street program under par. (e), develop objective criteria relating to at least the following issues:

560.081(2)(f)1.

1. Private and public sector interest in and commitment to revitalization of a business area selected by the municipality.

560.081(2)(f)2.

2. Potential private sector investment in a business area selected by the municipality.

560.081(2)(f)3.

3. Local organizational and financial commitment to employ a program manager for not less than 3 years, or not less than 5 years for participants selected after July 29, 1995.

560.081(2)(f)4.

4. Local assistance in paying for the services of a design consultant recommended by the council on main street programs.

560.081(2)(f)5.

5. Local commitment to assist in training persons to direct activities related to business areas in municipalities that do not participate in the state main street program.

560.081(2)(h)

(h) Provide training, technical assistance and information on the revitalization of business areas to municipalities which do not participate in the state main street program. The department may charge reasonable fees for the services and information provided under this paragraph. The department shall deposit all fees collected under this paragraph in the appropriation account under s. 20.143 (1) (g).

560.081(2)(i)

(i) As part of the report required under s. 15.04 (1) (d), include a report on the effects of the state main street program.

560.081 - ANNOT.

History: 1987 a. 109; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; 1999 a. 9.

560.081 - ANNOT.

Cross-reference: See also s. Comm 127.01, Wis. adm. code.