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Ripon Good - Shopping, Dining, History & Living

Ripon Main Street, Inc. – Mission Statement

The purpose of the Ripon Main Street Program is to restore the vitality of the central business district by enhancing our community identity and heritage, fostering a center of activity, and ensuring economic stability through concentrated efforts in organization, promotion, design and economic development.

Vision Statement

Ripon – with a downtown rich in historic architecture – was among the first communities in Wisconsin selected to participate in the Wisconsin Main Street Program – advocating historic downtown restoration and pursuing economic development through marketing, business recruitment and retention, real estate development and market analysis.

Main Street – Supporting Ripon's Downtown Businesses

Ripon Main Street Inc. – established in 1988 through private-sector leadership – supports the interests of Ripon downtown property and business owners. The organization guides a business improvement district that oversees the revitalization of Ripon's central business district – a historic downtown comprised of more than 75 property owners and 125 businesses.

How Ripon's Business Improvement
District Works

A business improvement district consists of a geographic area in which property owners agree to assess themselves annually to fund specific programs and projects. Through these assessments, Ripon Main Street funds initiatives to enliven and bolster Ripon's vibrant downtown commercial district.

Historic Preservation & Economic Vitality

Ripon Main Street blends historic preservation and downtown development – striving to enhance our vital, growing and beautiful downtown business district. As Ripon Main Street works with property and business owners to enliven and restore historic buildings, we also work to draw new businesses to the Ripon downtown area. Our practical strategies – gleaning national recognition – are scaled to Ripon's local resources, rich architecture, friendly people and traditional values.

Working with Ripon Main Street couldn't be simpler for future business owners. Even though Ripon's downtown is part of the Historic Register, property owners are not bound in any way to making historically appropriate renovations. This is completely up to the property owner.

Downtown Ripon thrives – as does Ripon Main Street – thanks to volunteer, business and community support, enthusiasm and energy.

Organization & Collaboration

Ripon Main Street works in concert with property owners, merchants, residents, bankers, public officials, business associations and civic groups to enhance Ripon's downtown.

Promotion & Marketing

We promote Ripon's vibrant, positive image – bolstering community excitement, tourism and business commerce. Downtown festivals, concerts, farmers' markets, events and celebrations are publicized through aggressive Ripon Main Street public relations and marketing efforts.

Downtown Aesthetics & Design

Ripon Main Street carefully attends to all visual elements of downtown Ripon, from building and sidewalk aesthetics to storefront renovations, landscaping, window displays, seasonal decorations and graphic signage and banners.

Business Development

Ripon Main Street strives to build a balanced retail mix downtown. We work to strengthen the existing Ripon downtown business district; draw in new stores and offerings; and convert available space into housing or craved entertainment and cultural venues.