On September 1, 2011, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) officially designated the Village of Waterford as a Wisconsin Main Street community. This designation officially recognized Waterford's commitment to downtown revitalization, economic development and historic preservation. WEDC provides technical support and training needed to restore Wisconsin Main Street communities to centers of community activity and commerce.
The group developed to coordinate the Main Street program is Absolutely Waterford, Inc. Absolutely Waterford is a private, non-profit, community organization comprised of volunteers committed to restoring Waterford's downtown Heritage District as the business, cultural and social center of the community. Absolutely Waterford has grown to over 40 members, with broad representation from Waterford area businesses, residents, civic groups, and local government. This is truly a community-backed effort. There are over 60 additional groups and individuals that have committed to help with the revitalization through in-kind and financial commitments.
Absolutely Waterford is organized around the National Main Street Centers (NMSC) criteria. The NMSC is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and advocates a proven four-point approach for downtown revitalization.
Organization Committee - This committee includes a working Board of Directors whose job is fundraising, advocating, volunteer recruitment and development, and general overview of Absolutely Waterford, Inc. This committee also hires and oversees the Executive Director.
Promotions Committee - This committee's primary responsibility is to market a unified, quality image of the downtown Heritage District as the center of activities, goods and services to retailers, shoppers, investors, and tourists. The responsibilities of this committee are broad and typically include coordinating advertising, reversing negative images of downtown through image campaigns, implementing special and business events, and establishing and maintain good media relations.
Design Committee - The design committee's purpose is to create an attractive, coordinated, and quality image of the downtown Heritage District by capitalizing on its unique assets and heritage.
Economic Restructuring Committee - The economic restructuring committee works to develop a market strategy that will result in an improved retail mix, stronger tax base, increased investor confidence and a stable role for the Heritage District's image as a major component of the Village's economy.
The Committees are chaired by the following volunteers:
Organization Committee - Dawn Jurgensen
Promotions Committee - Dawn Jurgensen
Design Committee - Angionette Hansen
Economic Restructuring Committee - Brian Lauer
Absolutely Waterford operates under the direction of a Board of Directors with an Executive Director responsible for the administration of the organization.
The concepts and strategies outlined in the documents at right, are rooted in the ideas and insight shared by the downtown Waterford stakeholders and community advocates that participated in the October 13, 2011 visioning session process.
A Guide to Starting Your Business in Downtown Waterford
Heritage District Design Guidelines
Heritage District Design Review Appl.
President - Dawn Jurgensen
Branch Manager, The Equitable Bank
Vice President - Angionette Hansen
Citizen Volunteer
Treasurer - Deborah Scheffler
Citizen Volunteer
Secretary - Teri Eulgen
Supervisor, Community State Bank
Howard Bryant
Citizen Volunteer
Tiffany Weeks
Citizen Volunteer
Chad Schmidt
Citizen Volunteer
Main Street Manager
Dawn Brummel