City of North Bend release - North Bend Main Street reached Oregon Main Street’s Designated tier, marking years of downtown progress through grants, events, business growth and recognition.  The North Bend Main Street program has been elevated to the “Designated Main Street” level in the Oregon Main Street network, a recognition reserved for communities that have demonstrated the capacity to run a durable downtown revitalization organization and deliver measurable impact.  “This designation is the state’s way of saying our program is built to last — not just to host events, but to build partnerships, support small businesses and make downtown stronger year after year,” City Manager David Milliron said.  What Oregon Main Street is and what it’s designed to do.  Oregon Main Street is a state-coordinated downtown revitalization program within Oregon Heritage at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. It supports communities working to strengthen traditional downtowns and historic commercial districts by providing training, technical assistance and access to building-improvement grants that spur local economic development.  The program is built around the Main Street “Four-Point Approach” — organization, promotion, design and economic vitality — a framework intended to help communities improve the look and function of downtown, increase foot traffic and consumer activity, and support the businesses that keep historic districts viable.  Oregon Main Street also maintains a tiered network statewide, with more than 100 participating communities, and the state press release notes there is no fee to participate in the network.  What “Designated” means for North Bend Main Street:  The state describes the Designated level as a “mark of distinction” that reflects demonstrated progress building an impactful and sustainable organization focused on improving a community’s historic downtown through partnerships and community engagement — and it comes with added technical assistance to help increase long-term results.  For North Bend, the recognition follows a year of downtown-focused work that spans grant funding, business recruitment and expansion support, visitor-facing improvements, and events that drive economic activity.  Successes in downtown North Bend tied to the Main Street program.  Grant funding and building improvements:  The city and the North Bend Main Street program secured more than $346,000 in competitive state grants, including $150,000 from Travel Oregon for the Hub Rest Area and $196,024 through the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant Program to improve safety, accessibility and code compliance across 17 downtown commercial properties, leveraging additional local matching funds. The city also received a separate $100,000 award from Business Oregon to advance the Annex Workforce Housing Project in downtown North Bend.   “These dollars translate into real, visible improvements — safer and more accessible buildings, stronger code compliance and reinvestment that helps downtown businesses stay open and thrive,” Milliron said.  Business growth, recruitment support, and private investment:  Downtown revitalization efforts supported four new business openings, with three additional businesses planned in the coming months, alongside multiple business expansions and ownership transitions. The program also completed an “Available Properties Packet” to support recruitment and reduce friction for prospective tenants and investors. Beyond the downtown core, the city reported new growth and development underway at four properties, including a major retailer.  “Our goal is to make it easier to say ‘yes’ to downtown — to open a business, expand a concept, or reinvest in a building that matters to the community’s identity,” Milliron said.  Events and downtown activation:  City-supported and Main Street-hosted signature events and downtown programming generated strong visitation and economic activity, with thousands of attendees taking part in multiple celebrations and activation efforts throughout the year. The city said the activity supported lodging, dining and retail spending, and attracted visitors from outside the area.  Visitor experience improvements that support downtown activity:  The city reported continued site improvements at the Visitor Information Center and hub rest area, including a public plaza, ADA access, landscaping and visitor-serving infrastructure. The project is supported by transient lodging tax funding and external grants, including support from Travel Oregon and T-Mobile. New public art — including carved statues depicting the community’s logging and fishing heritage — has also been installed, with the city noting the improvements are intended to enhance the visitor experience and support downtown activation, with a significant portion scheduled for completion in June 2026.  Awards and statewide attention:  North Bend Main Street received three Excellence on Main Awards, recognizing promotional excellence, program leadership and Business of the Year. The program was also selected to host the 2027 Oregon Main Street Conference, an event the city expects will bring statewide attention and increased visitation.  “When a program earns awards and is trusted to host a statewide conference, it’s because the results are tangible — and because local businesses and volunteers are doing the work,” Milliron said.  Thank you to the volunteers, businesses and partners who make this work possible. Community Development Manager Stephanie Wilson serves as the Main Street Manager and works closely with the North Bend Main Street Board to advance the program’s downtown revitalization efforts.