Downtown Toms River Added To Main Street New Jersey Program

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District is now part of the Main Street New Jersey program, one of 23 towns participating across New Jersey.

The program, through the state Department of Community Affairs, offers support and assistance to towns trying to revitalize their downtown business districts.

Toms River was one of four downtowns added to the program, state officials said Thursday, the first time in six years that towns had been added. Also added were downtown districts in Bernardsville, Fair Lawn, and Maplewood.

The program offers technical assistance and training on how to restore their main streets as centers of community and economic activity.

"The Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District applied for Main Street New Jersey designation because of the positive, cost-effective community revitalization benefits it will have on our business district," said Mairin Bellack, executive director of Downtown Toms River BID. "We look forward in collaborating with DCA and Main Street New Jersey to support our small business community and enrich our vibrant district."

The BID's mission is "to preserve the district’s cultural, historic, tourist and civic interests, while accessing public and private resources to improve business success and property values."

"Toms River is excited to become Main Street New Jersey designated and continue its efforts with the revitalization of our downtown corridor while preserving our historic resources," Mayor Maurice B. Hill Jr. said.

Communities had to meet the following requirements to apply for Main Street New Jersey designation:

• One identifiable downtown or main street;
• Historic buildings and character;
• Walkable scale and pedestrian-oriented district;
• Predominance of mixed-use buidings;
• Commitment to revitalization through financial, people, and policy resources; and
• Commitment to employ a full-time executive director with an adequate program operating budget for a minimum of four years if the community has a population over 20,000.

Since it was established in 1989, the Main Street New Jersey Program has brought significant numbers of new businesses and jobs to the downtown districts participating in the program. In addition, façade improvements and building rehabilitation projects have upgraded the image of downtown business districts across the state.

"Our Main Street New Jersey Program has shown that when a community participates in a comprehensive revitalization effort, its downtown can experience a return of economic vitality," said Lt. Governor Shelia Oliver, who serves as DCA commissioner. "We welcome these newly designated communities into the program and look forward to helping them take full advantage of all the resources and training that is now available to strengthen their downtowns and create a positive image of their business district."

The Main Street New Jersey Program is part of Main Street America, which is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street America approach is to help downtown districts develop a transformation strategy around four main points – economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization – that is unique to their community and based on local and regional market data.

Main Street New Jersey communities receive an array of services, including customized design assistance, access to state and national specialists, training on key downtown issues, and ongoing marketing and promotions support. They can also receive grant funding for small business support and neighborhood improvement projects, according to state officials.

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