Men Wanted!

Men with interesting facial hair, that is!

Contest will take place on The Old Mill front porch at 12:30pm June 29th during CreekFest.  1st place wins $50 cash and a family membership to The Old Mill Museum and Historical Society.  Bring those beards!  (must be natural facial hair – no substitutes accepted.)

Printable Poster (PDF download) Orton Lookalike Poster

Registration (PDF download) Registration -Amos Orton Lookalike Contest

• Design – Help Ortonville look its best
• Economic Restructuring – Enhance the business environment
• Promotions – Keep people coming back to downtown Ortonville
• Organization – Get everyone involved

The Main Street Program advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and recognition and development of Ortonville’s unique characteristics. What we need the most are people who are willing to share their enthusiasm, talent, and support to promote  our community.  You don’t have to come to a committee meeting every month to be a great help to your community.

These Work Plans have been prepared to help guide the activities, deliberations, expenditures and policy development of the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority (Ortonville DDA) by its Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Committees.  It is essentially a map for the coming year(s).

The Ortonville DDA uses the 4-point Main Street approach to community revitalization.  This organizational structure uses working committees for Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotions.

Unexpected opportunities and problems may cause a shift of priorities or change in budget expenditures.  An unexpected grant opportunity or major development may be determined to have a higher priority and demand immediate attention over planned activities.  Changes and amendments may be necessary throughout, as determined by the Board of Directors and staff.

Each committee is responsible for identifying the tasks they feel are necessary to achieve the overall goals of the DDA.  These work plans are approved by each committee, and the DDA Board of Directors, and are useful to help recruit volunteers, raise funds and share our progress with the community.  These plans reflect the laying out of policy, procedures, and foundation for future endeavors.

Organization involves coordinating community efforts toward the same goal. The Organization Committee assembles the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a revitalization program.  The Organization Committee works towards establishing consensus by building partnerships that will allow the development of a consistent program. Organization projects this year are:

1. Develop membership program
2. Apply for 501c3 status
3. Volunteer appreciation event(s)
   A. BB&E Wrap Up Party,
   B. Christmas in the Village Volunteer Treats,
   C. Photo thank you cards
4. Sponsor Recognition – Banners, PR, social media,website
5. Fundraising for events
   a. Euchre Tournament for CreekFest – December and March
6. DDA Days – update community re: events and projects (January, April, September)
7. National Main Street Conference 2014 Participation

The Design Committee concentrates upon enhancing the physical appearance of the downtown area.  They do this by offering grants to business and property owners, beautifying the downtown, maintaining the streetscape, improving public signs, and renovating historic landmark buildings. This year’s projects are:

1. Revitalization Grants (4)
2. Beautify and Maintain Downtown Ortonville (in partnership with Village of Ortonville DPW)
3. Challenge America Grant (in Partnership with Brandon Twp Public Library)
4. Renovate Old Town Hall

Economic Restructuring strengthens a community’s existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.  Activities include supporting existing businesses, recruiting new businesses to provide a balanced mix, improving the infrastructure of downtown, and converting disused space into productive property. This year’s projects are:

1. Facilitate efforts to improve infrastructure in the Village of Ortonville
   
2. Offer scholarships to workshops at Oakland County Small Business Development and Technology Center
3. Offer scholarships to other workshops related to Main Street or a local business
4. Create Entrepreneur Resource Group

The Promotions Committee creates a positive image of the business district and encourages customers and investors to invest their time, talent and treasure in the downtown.  The Promotion committee promotes downtown Ortonville by marketing our district’s unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners and visitors.  They create a positive image and forge confidence in the downtown through special events, advertising, retail promotion, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers.

1. CreekFest
2. Beets, Beats, and Eats Farmers Market
3. Haunt your House Decorating Contest (in partnership with WoJo’s Greenhouse)
4. Christmas in the Village