New Main Street Communities Everett (left) and Sumner (right) with new Affiliate Buckley (center).

We’re pleased to announce that the Washington State Main Street Program is growing!

Starting in 2021 our network will have two new designated Main Street Communities, Everett and Sumner, and one new Affiliate, Buckley.  This year the value of Main Street has been thrown into sharp relief with local programs supporting their small businesses and finding innovative ways for people to safely connect downtown.  The Downtown Everett Association, Sumner Main Street Association, and City of Buckley will join their own revitalization efforts with the 63 other Washington towns and cities working with Washington Main Street.

Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, just north of Seattle. Their Main Street program, the Downtown Everett Association, is focused on creating a healthy, vibrant urban core with an emphasis on makers and manufacturers. Northeast of Puyallup near Lake Tapps, Sumner was historically known for daffodil farms but while still boasting beautiful downtown flowers it now has a strong economic development ethic among merchants, many of whom are founding members of the Sumner Main Street Association. After getting to know both programs as Affiliates, we are delighted by the opportunity to work with Everett and Sumner more closely as designated Main Street Communities!

Joining our network in 2021 as an Affiliate is the City of Buckley. Affiliates are towns and organizations exploring how the Main Street Approach can serve as the guide in meeting their revitalization goals. Buckley is a town of just under 5,000 that sits below Mount Rainier in east Pierce County bordered by the White River.

Using local resources and initiative, the Washington State Main Street Program helps this network of 66 towns and cities develop their own strategies to stimulate long-term economic growth and civic pride. We provide access to information, support the capacity of local downtown revitalization leaders, and offer guidance to individuals and organizations interested in downtown revitalization. To learn more about Washington Main Street, visit preservewa.org/mainstreet.

Downtown Everett. Photo source: Downtown Everett Association.

Downtown Sumner. Photo source: Sumner Main Street Association.

Downtown Buckley. Photo source: City of Buckley.