Our Mission

To promote and maintain an economically vital historic downtown and business district that is attractive and accessible to people of all ages.

History of Main Street Amherst

In 1998, a small group of Amherst citizens and business owners formed the Amherst Downtown Business Association (ADBA). The purpose of this group was two-fold: to facilitate the application process for a Community Development Block Grant and to develop and foster an economically strong business district.

The City of Amherst was awarded the grant and local building and business owners used the funds for facade and code improvements. The City used the funds to improve signage and lighting downtown, as well as install a new parking lot. In 2002, the ADBA was granted official Main Street status by Heritage Ohio. The former Post Office was dedicated and officially renamed the Main Street Community Center in 2003.

Today, a group of committed citizens, government representatives and business owners work to obtain the mission of Main Street Amherst – To promote and maintain an economically vital historic downtown and business district that is attractive and accessible to people of all ages.

What is the Main Street Program?

The Main Street program is administered by Heritage Ohio, which has been working with communities across the state to revitalize their historic areas. Based upon historic preservation, the Main Street approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save historic commercial architecture. Today the National Trust, Heritage Ohio and the Main Street program have all become powerful economic tools as well. Main Street communities utilize a four-point approach to improve all aspects of the downtown business district: Organization, Economic, Design and Promotion.