Hart Main Street program transitions to HEART.

Winterfest in downtown Hart is one of the community events Hart Main Street organized. As the Main Street program transitions this year, a vintage snowmobile show is being organized by another group. The snowmobile show is set for Saturday, Feb. 1.
– Hart Main Street photo

Hart Main Street program transitions to HEART.

#OceanaCounty

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – The Hart Main Street Program is being replaced by the Hart Economic And Redevelopment Team (HEART).

The Main Street program focuses on redevelopment of the downtown, whereas HEART will focus its revitalization efforts throughout the city, such as the Polk Road corridor, said City Manager Lynne Ladner.

Hart had been involved in the Main Street program for approximately 10 years.

“We basically reached a point in the Main Street program where we achieved all the things we could do as a community,” Ladner said. “We will have the same programs available through the new program.” The city will get its Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification in February.

Main Street limits employees to only working on downtown projects, and now the downtown is thriving because of Main Street’s efforts. The city is graduating to another program that will branch out of the downtown. “We will continue to work on downtown projects, but now we can do additional work outside of the downtown.”

Both Main Street and HEART are supported through sponsorships, donations and tax dollars, Ladner said. “The funding stays the same,” she said.

The city provides funding for a permanent full-time director, and that position is currently vacant. Christine Rickard is filling in as the the interim director since the position was vacated by Julie Kreilick.

Ladner said the city is accepting resumes until mid-February and is hoping to have the position filled by the beginning of March.

The city is also in the process of drafting a new logo for the HEART program.

“We’re really excited,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to continue moving our community forward.”

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