Uplifting Downtown: An Introduction to the Washington Main Street Program

Cost: Members – $30 | Non-Members: $40 | Students – Free

Join PAW for an engaging webinar highlighting how Washington’s historic downtowns are being revitalized and strengthened through the Washington Main Street Program. Featuring Breanne Durham, Executive Director of the Washington Main Street Program, and Michael Walker, Executive Director of a Vancouver Downtown Association- a Washington State Main Street Community- this webinar will offer both a statewide program perspective and on-the-ground insights from a community actively using the Main Street approach. Together, the speakers will introduce this proven framework for economic revitalization and community vitality, demonstrating how it supports local businesses, preserves historic character, and uplifts downtown cores across the state.

REGISTER HERE

Meet the Speakers:

Breanne Durham

Breanne Durham is the Executive Director of the Washington Main Street Program, a statewide network of communities working to build vitality in their downtown districts using the Main Street Approach®. In addition to supporting to local Main Street programs across the state, Breanne currently serves as a member of Main Street America’s Leadership Advisory Council and The Washington Small Business Development CenterAdvisory Council.

A native of Eastern Washington, Breanne earned a BA in Sociology from Whitworth University and MA in Communication & Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. Prior to working for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in 2015, Breanne spent five years as the Executive Director of Beautiful Downtown Lewiston, one of Idaho’s first designated Main Street programs.

Michael Walker

Michael Walker is the Executive Director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association, a member of the Washington State Main Street Program. With Bachelor’s degrees in business administration and urban planning from the University of Oregon, Michael is passionate about building bridges between the private and public sectors to improve the quality of life in our region. Michael is a member of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s Board of Directors. He previously served as lead economic development coordinator for the city of Banks, Oregon, where he focused on revitalizing the city’s Main Street, conducting business and community outreach and promoting industry and commerce. In his work with Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Michael implemented a parklet place activation initiative in response to the pandemic; developed a “Shark Tank”-style business recruitment initiative called the Launchpad program; launched a “Clean and Safe” program to increase visitor traffic to small businesses; and implemented six major art projects throughout Vancouver’s downtown core.