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From YouTube: Main Street Now Conference 2023
Description
Mayor Wu spoke at the annual conference hosted by Main Street America, an organization that works to revitalize businesses and historic locations around the country.
A
A
D
A
All
right,
you
never
fail
over
bring
the
energy
and
that
energy
is
what
we've
and
that
energy
is
what
we're
going
to
survive
on
the
rest
of
the
conference
and
thank
you,
I
want
to
acknowledge
delegations.
We
have
joining
us
from
further
a
feeling
because
we
do
have
a
great
collection
of
folks
from
our
country,
but
we
do
have
some
other
folks
that
we
should
highlight
right.
I,
believe
we
have
our
first
attendee
from
the
Congo
afternoon.
A
You
know
he's
joining
us
from
Japan
and
he
wanted
to
take
a
picture.
Last
night
and
I
said:
oh,
it's
Maya,
it's
totally
my
eye.
So
all
of
you,
no
matter
where
you
come
from
whether
this
is
your
first
conference
you're,
an
old
timer,
whether
you've
been
a
main
Streeter,
your
entire
career
or
you
are
just
getting
to
know
our
work.
We
welcome
you
and
we
are
so
glad
you
have
taken
time
out
of
your
busy
lives
to
be
here.
A
We
appreciate
the
fact
that
the
the
essence
of
what
we're
going
to
do
here
is
about
some
of
the
most
important
work
in
America.
You
are
important
to
America,
never
forget
that
we
hold
up
the
ideals
we
hold
up
the
history.
We
make
the
preservation
work
and
we
build
community
One,
Main
Street
at
a
time.
A
A
D
A
And
we
are
newcomers
we
have
new
folk
from
Kennesaw
and
we're
glad
that
we
met
them
yesterday
and
they're
going
to
be
a
part
of
everything
that
we
are
doing
all
right.
So
I
want
to
start
with
some
appreciation
for
the
folks
that
helped
us
get
here.
We
all
know
that
putting
together
a
conference
like
this
is
a
Monumental
list
and
it
wouldn't
be
possible
without
a
team,
a
great
team
of
folks
working
behind
the
scenes
to
make
it
happen.
A
A
Such
an
absolute
difference
all
right,
so
thank
you
again.
Team
I
also
want
to
acknowledge
the
folks
that
really
really
make
this
all
happen.
Our
great
staff
of
Main,
Street
America
for
their
time,
their
talent
and
their
efforts
and
putting
on
this
conference
this
year
and
every
year.
Please
stand
if
you
are
a
staff
member
of
Main,
Street
America.
Please
stay.
A
Now
you
know
many
of
them
aren't
right
here,
because
they're
taking
care
of
preparing
all
of
these
wonderful
things
for
you.
So
you
know
it
wouldn't
be
a
bad
thing
if
you
happen
to
see
them.
If
you
stopped
and
said,
thank
you
because
we
can
never
thank
them
enough
now.
I
know
you
all
know
how
great
our
staff
team
is
and
our
hard
they've
been
working
to
get
us
here.
A
So
you'll
be
seeing
lots
of
Main
Street
staff
and
volunteers
throughout
the
conference,
helping
you
get
the
most
out
of
your
experience,
leading
sessions
hosting
events
making
it
all
look,
seamless
and
easy
when
we
know
it's
anything
button,
so
please
give
them
your
thanks.
As
you
move
through
the
rest
of
the
conference.
Now
the
board
of
directors
of
the
Main
Street
America
is
a
group
of
people
that
is
diverse,
committed,
dedicated
and
all
really
excited
to
be
with
you.
D
D
A
Believe
I
think
Kevin
Daniels,
probably
traveled
the
first
so
Kevin
we're
going
to
give
you
that
mantle
of
the
board
member
that
took
the
most
miles
to
get
here
absolutely
so
I
want
to
personally
thank
each
and
every
one
of
you
and
all
that
you
do
for
the
movement
is
so
important
to
us.
You
know
we
have
a
hard-working
board.
We
had
a
hard
working
board
before
Hannah
has
known
how
to
get
even
more
out
of
us.
Okay,
so.
A
Hard-Working
group
of
people
now
I'd
like
to
take
a
moment
to
recognize
our
major
sponsors.
None
of
this
occurs
without
all
of
the
great
companies
individuals,
everybody
else
that
sponsors
our
meeting
most
of
us
in
this
room,
Are,
One,
Way
or
Another
in
the
business
of
making
the
case
for
why
this
kind
of
work
matters.
A
Why
it's
important
to
local
economies
in
the
physical
fabric
of
our
communities,
but
to
the
livelihoods
of
each
and
every
individual
that
lives
in
Works
in
or
visits
our
main
streets
and
to
the
spirit
of
our
cities,
our
talents,
our
regions
and
our
nation
as
a
whole.
This
year's
sponsors
get
that
they're
walking
the
walk
and
we've
sincerely
thank
them
for
their
support.
So,
let's
say
say
a
special
thank
you
to
our
major
sponsors
and
I'm
going
to
list
them
all.
A
A
A
A
Welcome
my
good
friend,
Jay
Clemens,
who,
for
seven
years,
has
been
the
board
chair
of
the
National
Trust.
First
historic
preservation
and
last
month
stepped
up
into
the
interim
CE
role.
Ceo
wrote,
The
National
Trust
for
preservation,
of
course,
is
our
parent
organizations
and
a
close
partner
and
friend
in
this
space
of
community
preservation.
The.
A
A
D
E
Thank
you,
everybody
I
am
one
of
those
people
from
the
West
Coast,
so
I'm
having
a
little
bit
of
trouble
waking
up
this
morning,
but
thank
you
first
for
your
energy.
This
is
amazing.
I
I
was
told
before
coming
and
I
would
be
blown
away
by
the
amount
of
energy
in
this
room.
Everybody
carrying
signs
around
I.
E
E
Up
in
Mandan
it
was
a
town
of
about
12,
000
people,
and
we
did
everything
on
angstford
I
had
my
piano
lessons
on
Main
Street,
we
did
all
of
our
shopping
on
Main
Street
I
had
my
first
job
frying
Donuts
on
Main
Street.
In
a
bakery,
that's
now
been
boarded
up.
I
had
my
first
illegal
drink
in
a
ball
on
Main
Street,
the
Silver
Dollar
Bar,
which
I'm
sure
you
guys
attend
to
right.
E
E
The
community
has
changed
a
lot
and
that's
one
of
the
reasons
that
the
mission
of
this
organization
is
so
important
to
me
personally,
because
what
all
of
you
are
doing
is
saving
those
areas
across
the
country,
the
Mandan,
North,
Dakota's
and
and
communities
like
them
everywhere
and
you're
you're,
not
just
revitalizing
the
commercial
history
but
you're
rebuilding
communities,
and
that
is
something
that
is
just
incredibly
important
to
me
and
I.
Want
to
thank
all
of
you
for
doing
that.
It's
it's
just
an
incredibly
important
mission.
E
While
this
is
a
time
for
change
at
the
National
Trust
and
at
Main
Street,
it's
also
a
time
for
reflection
and
growth
over
the
past
few
years,
the
trust
has
taken
enormous
strides
to
develop
resources
and
support
for
underrepresented
stories
in
our
communities.
What
we
call
at
the
trust
telling
the
full
American
story
through
the
African-American
cultural
heritage,
action
fund
and
other
emerging
initiatives,
including
a
new
one,
dedicated
to
America's,
chinatowns
and
another
focused
on
the
communities
along
historic,
Route
66..
E
We
are
reaching
new
audiences
and
sharing
stories
that
are
complex
and
difficult,
but
they
are
an
essential
element
of
our
mission
to
tell
the
full
American
story
since
launching
the
action
fund.
Five
years
ago,
we've
raised
more
than
80
million
dollars
and
we've
supported
more
than
200
preservation
projects
nationally,
there's
a
huge
demand
for
this
work,
and
we
will
continue
to
expand
how
preservation
responds
to
these
times.
E
I'm
pleased
to
share
this
commitment,
the
commitment
of
the
National
Trust
with
Main
Street
America
in
Main,
Street
America's
recent
strategic
plan,
a
focus
on
equity
and
inclusion,
Community
preservation
and
raising
the
profile
of
Main
Streets
through
advocacy
and
resources
across
the
network,
we'll
open
new
opportunities
in
collaboration
between
our
organizations
and
with
all
of
you
and
I.
Look
forward
to
that.
E
Looking
out
at
this
audience,
I
see
representation
from
every
corner
of
the
country,
even
North
Dakota,
which
is
thrilling
to
me,
and
this
incredible
Network
should
give
us
all
a
great
deal
of
Hope
and
optimism
about
the
future
I'm
going
to
turn
things
over
now
to
Hannah
Hannah
White
who's.
The
interim
president
and
CEO
of
Main
Street
she's
done
an
amazing
job
of
leading
Main
Street
over
the
past
year
and
implementing
the
Strategic
plan,
and
she
will
share
with
you
some
of
the
amazing
new
programs.
E
Main
Street
is
launching
in
these
times
of
change.
We
all
have
to
be
focused
on
commitment
to
our
mission,
our
core
values
and
and
our
our
programmatic,
or
it
will
shape
our
future
The
National
Trust
is
committed
to
saving
places
through
collaboration,
innovation,
Ingenuity
and
diversity,
and
inclusion
all
with
an
eye
toward
making
a
difference
in
our
communities.
E
I
help
with
these
values
of
the
service
of
guiding
path
and
help
us
to
continue
to
support
the
work
of
Main
Street
programs,
as
we
look
toward
the
future
and
now
I'll
turn
it
over
to
Hannah,
to
hear
more
about
this
incredible
Network
and
what's
in
store
for
the
coming
year.
So
thank
you
all
very
much.
F
Of
us
in
this
room
over
the
last
few
years,
if
there's
been
one
constant,
it's
it's
that
and
some
of
that
change
has
been
really
hard.
Collectively,
we've
experienced
unprecedented
upheaval
in
our
communities
and
in
our
personal
and
professional
lives,
but
with
that
has
also
come
an
opportunity
for
adaptation
and
new
ideas
and
resilience.
F
It's
been
a
charge
to
each
of
us
to
meet
this
moment,
and
there
are
so
many
examples
of
people
in
this
room
who
are
doing
just
that
who
stepped
up
in
the
face
of
uncertainty
and
a
times
crisis
took
the
opportunity
to
double
down
on
their
missions,
whether
that
meant
extending
a
Lifeline
to
entrepreneurs
during
the
height
of
the
pandemic
or
finding
creative
ways
to
bring
joy
and
connection
for
their
community
Through
the
Arts
or
leveraging
the
influx
of
federal
dollars
for
transformational
development
projects.
The.
F
On
we're
going
to
get
a
chance
to
hear
to
see
and
hear
about
that
kind
of
work
firsthand
over
the
course
of
the
next
few
days
and
I
look
forward
to
sharing
in
that
and
learning
with
you
together,
there's
also
something
very
comforting
in
all
of
that
change
and
and
and
growth
and
adaptation.
Returning
to
a
main
street
now
conference,
having
the.
F
F
G
F
C
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
This
bigger,
broader
network
has
also
helped
expand,
Main,
Street,
scope
and
scale,
and
we
have
an
awesome
array
of
new
partners
in
the
audience
that
represent
this
folks,
who
are
helping
to
push
our
movement
to
the
next
level
and
Infuse
it
with
new
ideas
and
energy,
and
we
are
so
fortunate
to
have
their
wisdom
and
experience
to
learn
from
as
well.
Main.
F
F
Ways
in
which
disinvestment
and
disenfranchisement
have
failed
far
too
many
communities
and
residents
and
entrepreneurs
within
those
communities.
These
are
the
realities
that
we
all
face
and
the
question
we
pose
ourselves
is
what
role
Main
Street
America
has
in
crafting
a
future
for
main
streets
that
helps
move
the
needle.
F
Street
programs
across
the
country
with
10
partner,
coordinating
programs.
This
work
will
also
bring
in
New
Perspectives
and
partners
to
the
table,
deepening
our
work
and
equity
on
this
space.
With
support
from
forward
cities
with
their
partnership,
we
will
ensure
that
our
approach
helps
level
the
playing
fields
and
that
entrepreneurs
that
have
historically
been
excluded
from
Main
Street
economies
are
at
the
core
of
our
ecosystem.
Supports
this
program
will
also
invest
in
enhancing
capacity
building
and
training
and
entrepreneurial-led
development
with
the
international
Economic
Development
Council.
F
F
F
Our
Collective
goal
is
to
provide
free
training
to
18
000,
small
business
owners
and
entrepreneurs
by
the
end
of
the
year,
helping
to
equip
them
with
what
they
need
to
connect
with
customers,
improve
business
productivity,
build
their
networks
and
more
through
this
program.
We
will
also
have
the
opportunity
to
scale
this
program
to
Main
Street
businesses.
Nationally,
we
have
our
new
cohort
of
grow
with
Google
digital.
D
F
F
Our
goal
for
this
work
is
to
accelerate
wealth,
building
Pathways
for
business
owners
of
color
by
increasing
their
access
to
Capital
and
direct
resources
and
capacity
to
replace
these
organizations
that
support
them.
We've
got
representatives
from
all
five
cities
and
certain
organizations
and
I
want
to
warmly
welcome
them
to
the
conference
this
year.
F
F
D
M
Good
morning,
good
morning,
so
I'm
happy
because
you
came
to
Boston
when
it's
60
degrees
outside
instead
of
Hollywood
snow
on
the
ground.
But
it's
a
it's
a
great
pleasure
to
see
all
of
you
this
morning.
This
actually
is
the
conference
that
my
team
and
I
have
been
looking
forward
to
and
we're
so
happy
to
have
you
here
in
our
great
city
of
Boston,
so
we're
going
to
give
you
a
round
of
applause
for.
M
I
want
to
thank
you
Hannah
for
your
wonderful
remarks
and
all
of
the
work
that
you're
doing
to
lead
our
main
streets
across
our
country
and
I
want
to
thank
Alicia
for
Cena.
Our
director
of
small
business
I
want
to
thank
our
small
business
team
who's
here,
Abby
and
Louise.
If
there
are
any
others
part
of
the
team,
I
want
to
recognize
you
as
well
I
want
to
thank
Donald
Wright,
our
deputy
chief,
but
most
especially
I,
want
to
thank
the
volunteers
who
have
helped
to
make
this
conference
a
success.
M
The
decision
was
made
to
change
this
name
and
it
was
made.
The
decision
was
made
because
when
he
talked
to
many
people
across
the
city
of
Boston
and
I
bet
across
many
of
the
cities
and
towns
represented
here
when
they
think
of
the
term
Economic
Development,
it's
met
with
a
bristle,
because
when
they
think
of
development,
they
look
across
their
own
community
and
see
how
development
is
pushing
them
out
of
their
own
cities
and
towns
of
their
own
homes.
And
so
it
was
important
to
the
mayor.
M
It
was
important
to
myself
that
before
people
meet
me
or
gone
with
a
release
or
anyone
else,
who's
part
of
our
team,
but
they
understand
the
work
that
we're
doing
and
who
we're
doing
it
for,
and
so,
while
our
charge
is
to
continue
to
create
these
opportunities,
it's
Equity.
It's
inclusion
that
is
included
at
the
beginning
of
the
conversation
rather
than
as
it
happens
so
often
at
the
end,
and
it
is
our
charge.
M
It
is
our
charge
in
part
to
ensure
that
we're
revitalizing
our
neighborhoods,
ensuring
that
people
who
have
put
their
sweat
and
blood
into
creating
this
city
to
make
it
what
it
is
today
get
to
enjoy
it
for
future
Generations
I.
Actually,
there
are
many
folks
who
are
here
today,
our
Main
Street
directors,
if
you
don't
mind,
standing
up
real,
quick
I'm
going
on.
M
M
M
Want
to
thank
all
of
you
just
as
a
normal
resident
of
a
city
because
for
the
last
three
years,
so
many
of
you
have
done
so
much
to
not
only
protect
these
businesses
but
to
protect
not
just
a
livelihood
of
these
businesses,
but
the
lives
of
those
who
come
to
our
main
street.
So
I
want
to
take
this
opportunity
to
thank
all
of
you,
masonry
directors
and
all
of
you
who
represent
main
streets
today
for
the
incredible
work
that
you've
done
over
these
last
three
years.
M
Now
I
was
told,
I
only
have
five
minutes
and
I
think
I'm
a
minute
for
it,
so
I'm
going
to
speed
up,
because
the
person
that
we
really
want
to
hear
from
is
up
next
I'm.
Actually,
the
person
standing
between
you
and
the
end
of
this
program,
but
all
I
can
do
today
is
merely
thank
the
director
standing
behind
me
and
the
1900
people
in
this
room
today.
But
it
is
my
distinguished
pleasure
to
present
to
you,
someone
who
believes
strongly,
but
words
are
nice,
but
actions
are
the
better
form
of
gratitude.
M
I
want
to
introduce
you
to
someone
who,
despite
these
frustrations,
is
cool
on
the
outside,
but
whose
passion
for
creating
a
successful
business
owners.
Firms
within
her
I
want
to
introduce
someone
who
channeled
these
experiences
into
impactful
policies
like
a
streamlining
of
a
permitting
process,
to
make
open
a
business
in
Boston
easier
and
allowing
patrons
to
bring
their
own
beer
to
small
restaurants
that
not
the
the
underage
piece
but
to
bring
their
own
liquids
to
our
restaurants.
M
D
M
N
O
O
O
O
J
O
O
As
well
as
our
colleagues
from
Meet
Boston,
our
local
tourism
engine
and
and
partner,
who
make
sure
that
as
much
as
we
want
to
put
our
reputation
in
and
and
invitations
out
on,
the
global
and
international
stage
that
it's
just
important
in
doing
so
to
highlight
what
is
local
and
what
our
neighborhoods
present.
So
thank
you.
O
It
has
been
20
years
since
Boston
has
had
the
honor
and
privilege
of
hosting
the
main
street
now
conference.
In
that
time,
our
population
has
grown
by
more
than
a
hundred
thousand
people.
Residents
of
color
have
grown
from
making
up
just
a
little
under
50
of
the
population.
Now
63
percent
of
nearly
two-thirds
of
all
of
our
residents
and
nearly
a
third
of
our
business
owners
are
women
or
people
of
color.
O
As
we
grow
as
a
city,
we
remain
connected
to
our
historic
Roots.
We
are
continuing
to
learn
about
to
reckon
with
Boston's
long,
Rich,
complicated
and
sometimes
painful
history.
Every
day,
we're
proud
of
the
central
role
that
our
city
has
played
in
fighting
for
freedom
and
democracy,
proud
of
the
work
that
we're
doing
today
to
be
that
contributor
to
the
National
and
Global
stage,
and
we
continue
to
reckon
with
ways
in
which
in
the
past,
maybe
we
didn't
fight
hard
enough
for
freedom
for
everyone
today,.
O
O
Of
those
leaders
during
these
next
couple
days
as
well,
we
discussed
then
how
Boston
is
a
global
City
Green
growing
focus
on
our
future
and
our
revolutionary
groups
continue
to
inform
our
approach
to
the
programs
and
policies
we're
creating
today.
That
is
especially
true
under
the
leadership
of
Chief
idowu
and
these
incredible
leaders
I
get
to
stand
alongside.
O
O
To
support
the
businesses
that
make
up
our
main
streets,
20
designated
districts
within
the
city
that
are
truly
the
anchors,
the
lifelines
and,
as
we
saw
during
the
pandemic,
do
so
much
more
than
make
sure
we
are
bringing
Revenue
to
the
city
and
employing
our
residents
from
that
local
barber
shop
to
the
cafe
to
the
hub
that
everyone
turns
to
in
moments
of
Crisis
and
the
need
for
connection
our
main
streets
districts
and
our
Main
Street.
Businesses
are
truly
saving
lives
and
connecting
and
building
Community
every
single
day.
O
O
O
We're
also
looking
to
make
sure
that,
as
we
encourage
and
invest
in
new
business,
we're
rooting
our
long-standing
anchors
even
more
firmly
in
our
city,
we've
announced
Legacy
Business
program.
Actually,
the
brainchild
of
to
help
ensure
that
those
that
are
cultural
and
Community
hubs
will
stay
and
continue
to
provide
that
support
through
our
restore
program.
O
Business
owners
in
aging
spaces
renovate
and
preserve
the
historic
facades.
We're
we've
launched
a
space
grant
program,
subsidizing
operating
costs
for
small
businesses
seeking
to
expand
by
helping
fill
vacant
storefronts
in
our
commercial
districts,
and
the
response
has
been
overwhelming
more
than
350
applications
proving
beyond
the
shadow
of
the
doubt
that
people
want
to
be
opening
and
expanding
their
businesses
here
in
Boston.
J
O
O
Main
streets
districts
from
our
housing
challenges,
public
transportation,
infrastructure,
helping
organizations
boost
our
online
presence,
secure,
Federal,
funding
the
work
that
you
do
strengthens
the
pillars
of
our
communities,
the
people
and
places
that
bring
our
cities
to
life.
We
are
so
thrilled
to
have
you
here
and
hope
you
enjoy
and
come
back
often
to
visit
this
incredible
city.
Thank
you.
G
Boston,
my
name
is
Alicia
porcing
and
I'm,
the
director
of
small
business
as
part
of
the
office
of
Economic,
Opportunity
and
inclusion.
You
just
heard
from
our
chief,
but
we
are
thrilled
to
hosting
today
and
over
the
next
couple
of
days
in
Boston,
one
of
our
officers.
Major
priorities
is
neighborhood.
Revitalization,
so.
C
G
Streets
and
Commercial
districts
have
consistent
food
trucks,
foot
traffic,
our
businesses
are
supported
and
our
communities
are
thriving
part
of
that
means
activating
spaces
across
our
neighborhoods
and
uplifting.
Our
neighborhoods
outside
of
the
downtown
area
and
touring
them
into
destination
in
this
conference
does
exactly
that
with
the
mobile
workshops
and
the
education
sessions
across
the
next
three
days.
G
G
She
earned
her
MFA
in
poetry,
from
Emerson
College
and
is
the
author
of
by
Shimmer.
Sometimes
too,
olaiola
is
an
individual
World
poetry
slam
champion
in
the
current
Poet
Laureate
of
the
city
of
Boston.
Her
work
can
be
found
published
with
Netflix
The
Academy
of
American
bullets,
the
NBA,
the
Boston
Globe
black
Warrior
review,
Essence
magazine
the
rumpus
and
elsewhere.
She
is
also
a
poet
in
Residence
at.
N
N
N
D
N
We
mean
is
city
of
Patriots
city
of
Minutemen,
derived
from
immigrants.
City
are
still
here
home
of
thinkers
dreamers,
writers,
Paul,
Phyllis
Frost.
When
we
say
Boston
is
named
after
Saint
Boden
patron
saint
of
Travelers.
What
we
mean
is
we
stay
on
the
Move
stay,
moving
stay
running,
Duncan
or
Marathon.
We
stay
strong
when
we
say
the
city
of
Travelers.
We
mean
visit
and
stay
long
sink.
Your
toes
into
this
city.
When
we
say
Boston
is
a
walkable
City.
What
we
mean
is
invitation
come
through
walk
through
the
greenway
is
an
emerald
necklace,
an
heirloom.
N
N
What
we
mean
is
winning
is
a
part
of
our
history
and
our
future
DNA
to
who
we
are
championed,
unto
the
world
world
win
seed,
200
years
and
still
a
beacon
up
top
the
hilly
mound
of
this
country
home
of
the
first
part
home
of
the
first
public
garden.
First
public
school,
first
restaurant,
first
urban
Main,
Street,
weed
Blue
Print
City,
follow
through
when
we
say
the
word
Boston.
What
we
mean
is
joy,
what
we
mean
is
love,
what
we
mean
is
Roxbury,
the
tea
party
and
the
massacre.
N
I
feel
extremely
honored,
I
feel
extremely
blessed
to
be
amongst
one
of
the
many
folks
welcoming
you
all
into
this
great
City,
especially
being
from
Chicago,
always
got
a
shout
us
out,
but
no
I
feel
very
much
so
at
home
in
this
city,
I'm,
very
much
so
in
love
with
the
city.
I
am
a
huge
Celtics
fan.
I,
don't
want
your
hair.
If
you
can,
please
go
go
to
TV
Garden,
but
I'm
really
excited
really
humbled.
That
y'all
have
chosen
the
city
to
host
the
conference.
D
N
Child
is
risen?
No,
but
I
just
I
just
can't
help,
but
underscore
how
important
this
work
is.
I
move
through
the
world
as
a
writer
educator,
curator
organizer,
all
of
those
things,
and
probably
most
recently,
an
entrepreneur
currently
currently
opening
a
bookstore
at
any
one
of
Boston's
main
streets.
N
And
again,
as
an
artist,
it's
an
incredible
learning
curve,
I'm
learning
so
much
we're
planning
to
open
in
Fall
of
this
year,
and
what
I
can
say
is
that
I
am
just
extremely
grateful
to
be
in
a
city
that
has
20
main
streets,
but
also
has
the
resources
to
kind
of
equip
you
on
this
journey.
Right
learning
about
financial
forecasts
because
of
the
resources
I've
been
granted
having
the
chief
of
Economic
Opportunity
inclusion,
show
up
at
a
very,
very
small
fundraiser
means
the
world
to
me.
A
Q
First,
off
welcome
to
Boston
the
time
that
I
live.
I
told
you
that
last
year,
in
Richmond
and
now
I'm
glad
to
see
that
they're
all
here
I
have
the
job
of
talking
to
a
little
bit
about
where
we're
going
and
how
we're
going.
As
you
know,
last
year
we
started
our
journey
with
you
together
on
our
new
strategic
plan.
At
the
same
time,
we
are
starting
a
new
Journey
with
a
new
executive
director
CEO.
Q
That
person
has
not
been
named.
Yet
we
are
in
the
process
of
ensuring
that
we
get
the
right
person
for
the
important
job
of
working
with
you,
because
leadership
is
not
about
an
executive
director.
Leadership
is
not
about
a
CEO.
You
in
this
room
are
the
leaders
and
our
job
is
to
find
someone
that
can
match
your
courage.
Your
aspiration
your
needs
so
that
we
all
can
collectively
make
this
American
industry
a
better
place
to
be
live
and
have
a
great
time
so,
but.
Q
R
Q
Have
been
fortunate,
let
me
give
you
a
little
more
about
the
process
of
where
we
are.
We
originally
thought
we'd
get
a
couple
of
people
applying
for
the
job
we
have
over.
300
people
apply
for
this
job,
there's
a
testament
to
the
fact
that
we
work
very
closely
with
thousand
Street
people.
You've
all
talked
to
to
help
develop
the
RSP
and
then
we're
fortunate
to
have
quiet
as
one
of
our
retrievers
to
help
get
the
right
side
of
campus
and,
as
I
said,
before,
we're
very
very
close
to
getting
there.
How
did
this
happen?
Q
It
happened
because
a
number
of
people
spent
a
lot
of
time
pouring
through
the
resume
is
ensuring
that
your
needs
were
met.
I
want
to
acknowledge
the
people
who
are
on
the
selection
committee
and
I
also
acknowledge
the
board
members
of
nature.
I
asked
the
board
members
to
all
stand
up.
Let's
give
them
a
hand.
D
Q
Q
You
know
I
I,
think
one
of
the
things
that
we
need
to
acknowledge
is
the
lead.
It
sounds
like
they're
dying,
they're,
not
dying
they're,
going
to
continue
to
do
hard
work,
but
two
people
are
leaving
in
their
leadership
roles
in
in
the
council
and
I
wanted
to
acknowledge
and
I
want
you
both
to
stand
up
or
what
Gayla
runs
through
and
I'd
like
to
stand
up.
I'd
like
Walkers
left
Sam.
Where
are
you
guys?
Thank
you.
Q
So
as
we
go
forward
the
next
couple
of
days,
let's
have
a
great
time,
let's
work,
really
hard
I'm
going
to
thank
the
previous
speakers
and
I'd
like
to
introduce
now
to
to
you
someone
who's,
helped
make
this
meeting
go
and
I'm
glad
you're
all
here.
This
is
her
first
meeting,
so
let's
give
her
a
round
of
applause
that
happens
to
be
Sarah
Morin,
who
he
is
the
assistant
director
of
public
relations
with
the
Hartford.
Our
primary
scholar.
P
Thank
you
good
morning,
wow.
What
an
incredible
morning
it
has
been.
It
is
my
pleasure
to
be
with
you
on
behalf
of
the
Hartford
and
we
are
so
proud
to
be
sponsoring
the
Great
American
Main
Street
Awards
again
this
year
the
Hartford
ensures
nearly
1.5
million
small
businesses
across
the
country
and
we
are
continually
inspired
by
their
dedication
and
creativity.
We
also
understand
just
how
critical
they
are
to
the
success
of
their
communities.
P
D
P
P
I
It's
been
my
privilege
to
hand
out
the
Great
American
Main
Street
Awards.
We
started
this
program
in
1995..
This
award
is
recognized.
106
Main,
Street,
award-winning
communities,
not
including
this
year's
winners.
39
States
and
coordinating
programs
have
had
winners.
Winners
come
from
communities
of
all
sizes,
from
the
very
smallest,
with
populations
hovering
around
500
included,
including
Clarksville
Missouri
and
Bonaparte
Iowa
to
our
largest
districts.
We've
had
winners
in
D.C,
Baltimore,
Orlando
and
right
here
in
Boston,
and
the
Boston
to
Washington
Gateway
District,
just
about
20
minutes
from
our
hotel.
I
So
please
go
visit
each
year,
make
sure
that
America
recognizes
exceptional
Main,
Street
communities
and
districts
whose
successes
serve
as
a
model
for
comprehensive
preservation-based,
commercial,
District,
revitalization,
but
great
American,
Main,
Street
Award
winners
from
the
past
know
that
when
you
reach
this
point
in
the
revitalization
journey
is
not
the
end
of
their
Journey
but
a
point
in
their
program
where
they
have
reached
a
significant
Milestone.
Even.
I
That
they
are
not
finished
but
just
moving
to
another
place
and
there
are
bigger
things
still
yet
to
come.
So
take
note
more
work,
lives
ahead
for
all
of
us
that
this
is
an
ongoing
process
for
us.
That's
why
our
program
is
over
40
years
old
over
the
past
28
years
that
we've
been
giving
out.
This
award
winners
have
come
from
every
corner,
every
cross-section
of
our
network,
but
they
have
all
shared
the
same
key
attributes.
They
have
taken
their
programs
to
the
next
level
through
representative
leadership,
collaborative
Partnerships,
Innovative
programming
and
inclusive
Economic
Development.
I
This
year's
winners
and
semi-finalists
exemplify
the
kind
of
remarkable
transformation
and
improvements
that
are
possible
in
our
Network
when
and
we
continue
to
be
amazed
by
the
incredible
work
that
has
been
happening
before
we
get
to.
The
big
reveal,
let's
take
a
moment
to
recognize
this
year's
eighth.
I
I
We're
pleased
to
honor
three
remarkable
gaps
of
winning
communities
and
to
Showcase
them
here
today,
working
at
Main,
Street
America
for
over
15
years,
I
visited
hundreds
of
communities.
I've
been
lucky
enough
to
visit
two
of
our
three
winners
this
year
and
the
third
I
have
followed
closely
through
their
newsletters
and
social
media
posts.
I
I
know,
there's
I
know
for
these
recipients
right
now.
Their
hearts
must
be
pounding
the
excitement's
about
to
explode
and
they
are
about
to
be
on
as
they
are
about
to
be
honored
by
their
peers
from
across
the
country.
Take
a
deep
breath
enjoy
the
moment,
soak
it
all
in
this
is
a
moment
you're
going
to
want
to
remember
forever
so
without
further
delay.
It
is
my
pleasure
to
announce
the
first
winner,
the
River
District
Association.
B
S
S
T
S
What
has
happened
over
the
last
12
years?
The
city
has
invested
50
million
dollars
in
public
money,
but
the
return
on
investment
has
been
fantastic.
The
outcome
has
been
300
million
in
private
investment,
and
so
we're
extremely
excited
about
the
future.
It
was
evident
immediately
that
we
needed
more
businesses
downtown.
They
had
already
started
the
conversion
of
many
of
our
tobacco
Lofts
and
a
lot
of
our
second
stories
into
loft
apartments
and
those
were
fantastic.
But
again
we
knew
that
we
needed
more
businesses
downtown.
You.
J
J
S
To
date,
through
the
dream
launch
program,
more
than
450
people
have
taken
a
class
on
how
to
open
their
own
business.
126
people
have
taken
our
entire
Workshop
we've
opened
or
expanded
18
new
businesses
through
the
dream
launch
program.
In
the
last
four
years,
we've
given
away
a
half
million
dollars
in
funding,
I
love.
J
S
J
S
First,
you
pour
your
foundation
and
you
let
it
cure,
and
then
you
can
build
your
house
upon
it.
You
know
the
way.
I
look
at
the
Main
Street
four-point
approach
is
organization.
Is
that
foundation
and
everything
was
promotion
and
economic,
vitality
and
design
is
the
rest
of
that
fantastic
house
that
we
get
to
build.
Everything
here
is
done
with
so
much
intentionality,
especially
in
the
Redevelopment
and
the
revitalization.
It
would
be
very
hard
for
you
to
walk
into
any
redeveloped
space
in
downtown
Danville
and
not
see
elements
of
all
of
that
history.
Danville.
T
S
K
U
U
The
more
recent
history
of
Metuchen
is
especially
in
the
last
30
years.
Is
it
really
had
a
dip?
Businesses
were
like
revolving
doors,
you
know,
they'd,
open
and
they'd
close,
and
no
one
knew
what
to
do
about
it.
So
what
happened
is
two
members
of
the
Borough
Council
Allison
and
Sarah
and
Jay
Muldoon
came
together
and
said:
look
what
can
we
do
here.
H
U
We're
going
to
build
downtown
housing
by
our
train
station
and
we're
going
to
also
set
up
a
Main
Street
program,
but
they
said
Main
Street
wasn't
enough.
We
need
a
Main
Street
program
and
also
stable
funding,
so
they
establish
what
we
call
a
sid,
a
special
improvement
district
and
with
that
stable
funding,
but
also
The
Passion
of
The
Volunteers
in
the
Main
Street
approach.
That
was
the
formula
for
Revitalize
missing
the
town
and
sure
enough.
We've
seen
over
387
Apartments
170
million
dollars
of
investment
and
150
business
starts
in
the
last
six
years.
W
V
L
U
X
H
K
U
Happened
and
basically
the
way
it
works
is
we
match
up
existing
restaurants
with
people
who
may
be
living
in
a
shelter
or
other
places
where
they
have
need,
and
we
deliver
those
meals
every
week
and
really
the
heart
of
the
program
is
this:
you
know
with
food,
comes
dignity
and
when
we
can
extend
that
to
the
people
who
need
it,
the
most,
while
also
helping
our
businesses
stay
open
and
remain
in
town.
You
know
that's
the
kind
of
win-win
opportunity.
You
don't
get
often
in
life
it
used
to
be
a
business
opened.
U
You
know,
maybe
it
found
its
customers,
maybe
in
this
market.
Maybe
it
did
it
and
then
it
closed
six
months
later,
but
with
the
MDA
and
use
of
the
Main
Street
approach,
we
were
able
to
get
what
the
businesses
needed
when
they
needed
it
where
they
needed
it.
So
they
could
be
successful
and
that's
what's
made
in
the
touch
and
stand
out
from
just
about
every
place
else.
I
Congratulations
again
to
the
Metuchen
downtown
Alliance.
They
took
me
seriously
when
I,
they
said,
have
fun.
They
brought
cowbells
and
collectors
and
all
that
fine
fun
stuff.
And
finally,
our
third
and
final
Great
American
Main
Street
Award
winner
for
2023,
the
first
Main
Street
Community
to
win
from
this
state,
downtown
Florence,
Main,
Street,
Florence,
South,
Carolina,.
Y
Y
Z
Z
AC
Y
AC
Z
AC
AD
Y
AA
Y
AB
I
I
Congratulations
to
all
three
winners:
the
River
District
Association
Metuchen,
downtown
Alliance
and
downtown
Farms
Main
Street.
Thank
you
also,
congratulations
to
our
semi-finalists
I
hope.
You'll
apply
again
next
year
to
everyone
who
came
on
stage
to
accept
their
Great
American,
Main,
Street
Awards,
and
to
everyone
involved
with
your
programs.
I
hope
you
take
tremendous
pride
and
everything
that
this
award
represents
the
incredible
and
undeniable
impact
that
your
programs
make
on
your
main
streets
and
in
your
communities.
So
congratulations
again.
Thank
you.
A
A
To
our
award
recipients,
your
work
inspires
us
all.
So
my
fellow
Wayne's
readers
that
brings
us
to
the
end
of
our
opening
program,
but
the
fun
is
truly
just
now
beginning.
You
now
have
a
lunch
break
and
I
encourage
you
to
head
out
and
explore
the
city
before
a
session
start
this
afternoon,
just
a
couple
of
housekeeping
notes
before
I
turn.
Yours
we'll
see
you
all
back
in
this
space
again
tomorrow
morning,
at
9
00
a.m.
For
a
main
idea
of
penalty
session.
It's
going
to
be
great.
A
M
A
A
really
robust
selection
of
Education
topics
during
our
entire
meeting
in
concurrent
sessions,
we
have
also
done
our
absolute
absolutely
to
anticipate
which
sessions
will
appeal
to
the
greatest
number
of
attendees
and
we've
assigned
these
sessions
to
the
biggest
rules.
That
said,
we're
a
large
group
and
there
are
rooms
that
may
reach
capacity.
We
recommend
that
you
plan
to
arrive
at
sessions
early
to
get
a
seat
and
scope
out
your
backup
options
in
case
your
first
choice
is
at
capacity,
but
don't
not
come
because
you
think
the
room
is
going
to
be
full
okay.
A
D
A
Us
at
the
exhibitor's
reception
in
the
evening,
you
sort
of
have
to
remember
in
this
whole
conference
environment
that
if
we
are
going
to
make
it
through,
it
is
truly
up
to
you.
We
want
you
to
have
the
best
time
possible,
but
we
also
want
you
to
carry
home
those
nuggets
of
inspiration,
those
nuggets
of
knowledge
that
will
help
you
be
successful
and
please
don't
forget
to
share
your
experience
on
social
media
use
the
hashtag
hashtag
mainstreetnow,
that's
hashtag
Mainstreet!