Downtown is not just a place, it is a symbol. A symbol of the economic health of a community, the symbol of the quality of life of the people who live there. A downtown gives us a sense of our history and of pride in our community. It is the literal and figurative heart of a town.
Great downtowns don’t just happen – there has to be a vision of what the downtown can become, there has to be strong leaders willing to do what it takes to succeed, there has to be constant management and there has to be participation by all members of a community.
In Lake Mills we are extremely fortunate to have all those elements in the Lake Mills Main Street Program. Since its inception in 2006 the organization has changed the downtown in many ways.
* Twenty-three businesses have been established in our downtown, eleven of those in the last year.
* Over 97% of our available downtown commercial space is filled.
* Over $7,000 per year has been awarded to downtown property owners as grants for building improvement.
* Main Street has brought you these great new events: Wednesday Farmers’ Market, Arts Festival, Knickerbocker Ice Festival, Painted Ladies Annual Fling, the Annual Tree Lighting and Witches Night Out.
* Our streets have new way finding signage; there are bike racks and flowering planters.
* Through our website WhyLegendary.com we have promoted our town and its events to a wider and wider audience.
Those are just some of the highlights; there are many other things the Lake Mills Main Street Program has achieved! And soon you will see new benches and trash cans on Main Street, rear façade improvements, an even larger Farmers’ Market, more businesses and more tourist money. To do this we need your help. Become a member of the Lake Mills Main Street Program and be part of the exciting future of our community. Help us be the legend!
